'Blonde' author Joyce Carol Oates defends Marilyn Monroe film

Blonde author Joyce Carol Oates has defended Andrew Dominik's controversial adaptation of her novel.

Starring Ana De Armas as Marilyn Monroe, Blonde has received criticism for its allegedly exploitative portrayal of the film icon.

Responding to much of the criticism of the film on social media, Oates tweeted: "Andrew Dominik may have believed he was making a post-#MeToo era film in Blonde that would be recognised as exposing male cruelty & sexual abuse of women & the denigration of Marilyn Monroe as a victim driven finally to take her own life."

The Pulitzer Prize finallist added: "I think it was/is a brilliant work of cinematic art obviously not for everyone. surprising that in a post#MeToo era the stark exposure of sexual predation in Hollywood has been interpreted as 'exploitation'. Surely Andrew Dominik meant to tell Norma Jeane's story sincerely."

Blonde features several explicit scenes of sexual assault and domestic abuse which were also recently defended by De Armas.

Read more: 'Blonde' viewers so disgusted by Netflix film that they're turning off after 20 minutes

The Knives Out star said to Entertainment Weekly: "It's harder for people to watch [those scenes] than for me to make them, because I understood what I was doing and I felt very protected and safe. I didn't feel exploited because I was in control. I made that decision. I knew what the movie I was doing. I trusted my director. I felt like I was in a safe environment."

Blonde has also received criticism for its portrayal of abortion with Planned Parenthood releasing a statement saying: “As film and TV shapes many people’s understanding of sexual and reproductive health, it’s critical these depictions accurately portray women’s real decisions and experiences.

"While abortion is safe, essential health care, anti-abortion zealots have long contributed to abortion stigma by using medically inaccurate descriptions of fetuses and pregnancy. Andrew Dominik’s new film, Blonde, bolsters their message with a CGI-talking fetus, depicted to look like a fully-formed baby.”

Blonde also stars Adrien Brody as Arthur Miller, Bobby Cannavale as Joe DiMaggio and Caspar Phillipson as John F Kennedy.

Watch below: 'Blonde' trailer stars Ana De Armas as Marilyn Monroe