Gender, sexual politics and power: Watching David Mamet's Oleanna in the era of #MeToo.

This article analyzes how contemporary gender politics, particularly the #MeToo movement, influence audience interpretations of David Mamet’s 1994 film adaptation of *Oleanna*, a narrative centered on gender inequality, power, and sexual harassment within a Western university setting. It highlights the evolving perception of the film’s portrayal of the relationship between a white cisgender male professor and a white cisgender female student, emphasizing how #MeToo foregrounds issues of women’s subjugation, abuse of power, and the necessity of recognizing diverse experiences of harassment. The article argues that *Oleanna* serves as a cultural text that reflects patriarchal power dynamics and invites critical reflection on gender, sexual politics, and institutional sexism, while acknowledging its limited scope regarding race, sexuality, and broader intersectional identities. Ultimately, it suggests that viewing *Oleanna* through the lens of #MeToo deepens understanding of systemic gender violence and the importance of amplifying survivors’ voices in challenging entrenched inequalities.