Fifty Shades Freed Review: 3 Ups & 7 Downs

5. The Central Relationship Is Still Offensively Toxic

It shouldn't surprise anyone that the relationship - and now marriage - between Ana and Christian is still horrendously toxic, and sends the message to women that it's OK to accept abuse if he doesn't mean it, if he's troubled, if he's hot as hell, or most importantly, if he's really, really rich.

An opening scene, where Christian chides Ana for sunbathing topless, sets a tone that basically defines the rest of the movie, and though there was clearly potential for Christian to evolve and become a better person by film's end, there's ultimately little indication of that.

Considering the popularity of these films, it's a troubling statement, and no doubt many will misguidedly find it all oh-so-romantic even though it's more patently creepy and abusive than anything.