Dakota Johnson in ‘Daddio’.Jessica Kourkounis
Qantas Airways issued an official apology following an incident on a flight where an R-rated movie, reportedly featuring Dakota Johnson, was broadcast on every screen due to a technical glitch. The event took place on a Sydney-to-Tokyo flight last week, leading to mixed reactions from passengers. Although the airline did not confirm the movie’s title, it is believed to be Daddio, an independent drama starring Johnson and Sean Penn that was released earlier this year in June.
According to reports, the problem began when the flight’s in-flight entertainment system malfunctioned, disabling individual movie selections. As a result, the same movie played on all screens, without the ability for passengers to change or stop the content. A statement from the airline confirmed, “The movie was clearly not suitable to play for the whole flight, and we sincerely apologize to our customers for this experience.”
Qantas further explained that after the crew realized the nature of the content, they attempted to change the movie to something more appropriate. However, passengers were initially exposed to the adult-themed scenes from Daddio. The airline’s spokesperson added, “We are currently investigating how this movie was selected and why it played for all passengers.”
The unexpected screening came as a shock to many, as Daddio contains adult language, sexual themes, and brief nudity. While not an action-packed or overly graphic film, its subject matter includes a sexually charged conversation between Johnson’s character and her lover. These elements, although part of a more nuanced narrative, were deemed inappropriate for the general audience on the flight, which included families and children.
Passengers on the Qantas flight, numbered QF59, said the situation unfolded after they had settled into their seats, expecting to enjoy their long journey to Tokyo. Initial reactions were mixed, with some passengers reportedly enjoying the unexpected movie, while others, particularly those with children, were alarmed.
Once the airline crew realized that the movie might not be suitable for all viewers, they attempted to fix the issue by offering passengers the option to switch their individual screens. However, due to the technical malfunction, this solution proved impossible. The crew ultimately decided to stop the movie entirely and switched all screens to a family-friendly film for the remainder of the flight.
One passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “At first, we didn’t think anything of it. But when the movie became more explicit, we were surprised that they didn’t stop it sooner. I had children with me, and I wasn’t prepared for that kind of content on a flight.”
Daddio, directed by Christy Hall, is an intense drama that unfolds almost entirely in a cab ride. The film revolves around the dynamic between Penn’s character, a taxi driver, and Johnson’s character, a young woman trying to navigate personal challenges. While not a typical R-rated blockbuster, its mature themes and dialogue were seen as unsuitable for a general audience on a commercial flight.
For Dakota Johnson, the film was an opportunity to showcase her acting talents in a more intimate, dialogue-heavy performance. Critics praised her portrayal as being both emotionally raw and confident, with one review noting that she “balances vulnerability and strength in a captivating performance.” However, these complex layers may have been lost on an audience expecting family-friendly entertainment during their flight.
The flight crew’s decision to change the movie came too late for some. Complaints from parents about the nature of the content were logged with Qantas after the flight, which eventually prompted the airline’s public apology. In their statement, the airline assured passengers that they are taking steps to ensure such a mistake does not happen again. The spokesperson for Qantas said, “We understand the importance of providing appropriate entertainment options for all of our passengers and will take immediate measures to prevent a repeat of this incident.”
The incident is a reminder of the potential pitfalls of in-flight entertainment systems, which are typically programmed with a wide range of options to cater to diverse tastes and preferences. When these systems malfunction, however, they can lead to unintended consequences, as seen in this case.
Following the incident, some passengers voiced their frustration on social media, while others took a more lighthearted view of the situation. One Twitter user joked, “Well, I didn’t expect to see Dakota Johnson on a flight, but here we are!”
Despite the negative reactions from some, it appears that the situation was handled as best as possible under the circumstances. Qantas has promised to continue its review of in-flight entertainment procedures to prevent similar problems from occurring in the future. The airline has not confirmed if any compensation or special arrangements will be offered to passengers affected by the mishap.
As of now, Daddio continues to be available on various streaming platforms, but for Qantas passengers on that particular flight, it was a movie experience they likely won’t forget anytime soon.
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