Watch I, Tonya & The Psychology of Abuse

I, Tonya is a biographical movie that explores the life of Tonya Harding, a former American figure skater. The film documents her rise to international competitive success, the notorious attack on Nancy Kerrigan, and the aftermath of the event. The movie stars Margot Robbie as Harding and is directed by Craig Gillespie. Throughout the movie, the psychology of abuse is a prevalent theme. Harding grew up in a dysfunctional family with a mother who frequently abused her physically and emotionally. Harding's mother, LaVona (played by Allison Janney), was a strict and demanding parent who pushed her daughter to become the best figure skater in the world. LaVona was unrelenting and often used harsh words and physical punishment to motivate her daughter.

Tonya's abusive upbringing followed her into her adult life as she began a tumultuous relationship with her husband Jeff Gillooly (played by Sebastian Stan). Gillooly was also physically and emotionally abusive, often hitting Harding and controlling her every move. He was also complicit in the plot to attack Nancy Kerrigan.

The movie depicts the cycle of abuse that Harding experiences, from being abused by her mother to being abused by her husband. It shows the lasting effects that abuse can have on a person and how it can destroy their personal and professional life.

The movie also explores the impact of society and the media on Harding's life. Following the Kerrigan attack, Harding became a national villain and was subjected to intense scrutiny by the media. The public's perception of her was largely negative, and she was portrayed as a ruthless and uncaring person. The media coverage of the event was heavily biased against Harding, and this led to her being ostracized from the figure skating community.

The film highlights the issue of victim blaming and the unfair treatment that Harding received from the media and society. It portrays Harding as a victim of abuse who was pushed to the limit by the people in her life. The movie shows that although she made some poor decisions, Harding was not solely responsible for the attack on Kerrigan.

In summary, I, Tonya is a powerful biographical movie that delves deep into the psychology of abuse. It portrays the cycle of abuse that Harding experiences throughout her life and the lasting impact that it has on her. The film also shows the unfair treatment that Harding received from society and the media, highlighting the issue of victim blaming. Overall, it is an insightful and thought-provoking movie that will leave viewers with a deeper understanding of the effects of abuse.