Are you looking for examples that present the coercion as acceptable or unacceptable..or a mix?

You know I get that impression from watching Dr. Who as well and don't watch it. It's female characters seem really one dimensional and are in deference and support roles to Dr. Who all the time.

I don't watch Dr Who so maybe my comments were a bit off. Here's a comment from a fan. One thing is that his demeanor is not an example of coercive or domineering at all.

<<As far as Sexism – that is a tightrope question. I never really thought he was sexist, on the contrary I thought that through being ‘involved’ with the Doctor, the companions have become stronger characters (This even goes encompasses Mickey and Captain Jack). For example – Rose would have simply married Mickey and they both would have had a horrible life of not really loving each other. Because of the Doctor, Rose grew to be a strong woman who doesn’t take to being second fiddle to Mickey and Mickey stops being such a push over and grows a backbone himself.

But one can argue that this is indeed sexist, because the Companions don’t bloom unless under the tutelage of the Doctor (Although since he does this to both Men and Women, I don’t see how this can hold water). Amy Pond fits along the line of someone who is on the wrong path with great potential that meets with the Doctor and will bloom>>

Well, I was hoping for a bit more modern than some of these...you know, Popeye was 31 years ago. Mrs. Doubtfire was 14 years ago. And remember, by "coercive control" I meant relationship manipulation. I'm not sure Voldemort fighting Harry is an example that can be used to demonstrate relationship abuse--it's more a case of "villain vs. hero", because in that case I could use Darth Vader vs. Luke as an example of domestic violence. It's a stretch!

Disney has a LOT of this stuff in it: the Beast abuses Belle, yet she strives to understand and "reach" him. Ariel sacrifices her voice to become a mate.

"Smoke Signals", my favorite film, has great examples of "do what I say or I'll abandon you" coercion.

"Antwone Fisher" shows a LOT of emotional coercion by a foster mother toward children, which young Antwone has to deal with.

"Dangerous Liaisons," even though it's older than the others, is a fantastic depiction of emotional manipulation and sexual coercion, and its effects.

"Magnolia" has a REALLY strong theme of sexual manipulation, as depicted by Tom Cruise's character who gives seminars to men on how to scam women.

"Friends with Benefits" has a scene where the girl overhears her boyfriend saying that he's only with her for the sex because she's too messed up to ever be worth a relationship.

"Shallow Hal" actually ends up giving the opposite of its intended message: women's worth is linked to their size and attractiveness. Men won't love you if you don't measure up in those ways.

"As Good As It Gets" - Jack Nicholson emotionally abuses Helen Hunt, who continues to remain part of the honeymoon abuse cycle.

"Varsity Blues" - teaches men the lesson that "the only pain that matters is the pain you inflict!"

etc.

Regarding Dr. Who: a lot of people consider the modern seasons to be examples of good feminism. It's not that the companions only flourish under the guidance of the Doctor (which is what it seems like at first blush). It's that they companions have each come from homes and lives where their full potential had not been allowed to surface, and when they are removed and placed into other circumstances they become the brave, smart women they really are. It's not that the Doctor is the missing link to their empowerment, it's a demonstration of the contrasts between life circumstances. If anything, Dr. Who's brand of feminism is an indictment of the status quo, in which each of the women's gifts are never realized or noticed. But put these same women into situations where mundane repression isn't the norm, and you see what they're really capable of.

For hardcore fans--and I'm not one, but I live with them--there's also the realization that the Tardis itself IS female, and we learn that she, not the doctor, has actually been in control the whole time, and the doctor is HER companion, rather than the doctor being the guide for subordinate companions of his own. And we also witness Rose becoming the most powerful entity in the universe, absorbing the total power of time and space, to defeat the entire Dalek army in her final season of the show. It's her power not the Doctor's, that saves existence. We also see with Amy Pond that the companion is truly an ally, not a "companion" in the sexualized sense; she and the Doctor have a mutual respect, yet she is clearly betrothed to her true love, Rory. This answers any hint that the role of the "companion" is to serve as a subtle romantic Mary Sue.

Karen Gillan, who plays Amy, spoke about Doctor Who and feminism to the British press. She said, "Feminism is not the issue any more, not for me, anyway. "It's just never occurred to me that a woman wouldn't be equal, in any sphere, to a man. It's nothing that has ever come up in my life and nothing I've thought about in terms of Amy. She's just a strong girl, woman, whatever. Oh, let's just say she's a strong female. And I really like that she gets to drive the plot sometimes and gets her own storylines. She's not just standing around in awe of the Doctor all the time."

Her comments were spot-on in response to the UK press referring to her as the Doctor's "slut" (http://circulatinglibrary.net/archives/when-outraged-feminism-meets-doctor-who)

Regarding Dr. Who: a lot of people consider the modern seasons to be examples of good feminism. It's not that the companions only flourish under the guidance of the Doctor (which is what it seems like at first blush). It's that the companions have each come from homes and lives where their full potential had not been allowed to surface, and when they are removed and placed into other circumstances they become the brave, smart women they really are. It's not that the Doctor is the missing link to their empowerment, it's a demonstration of the contrasts between life circumstances. If anything, Dr. Who's brand of feminism is an indictment of the status quo, in which each of the women's gifts are never realized or noticed. But put these same women into situations where mundane repression isn't the norm, and you see what they're really capable of. The message of "Doctor Who" to the companions is this: "Look at what you CAN be! And it's SO much more than the world you live in offers you!"

For hardcore fans--and I'm not one, but I live with them--there's also the realization that the Tardis itself IS female, and we learn that she, not the Doctor, has actually been in control the whole time, and the Doctor is HER companion, rather than the Doctor being the guide for subordinate companions of his own. And we also witness Rose becoming the most powerful entity in the universe, absorbing the total power of time and space, to defeat the entire Dalek army in her final season of the show. It's her power, not the Doctor's, that saves existence. We also see with Amy Pond that the companion is truly an ally, not a "companion" in the sexualized sense; she and the Doctor have a mutual respect ("like brother and sister," says the actress), yet she is betrothed to her true love, Rory. This answers any hint that the role of the "companion" is to serve as a subtle romantic Mary Sue.

Karen Gillan, who plays Amy, spoke about Doctor Who and feminism to the British press. She said, "Feminism is not the issue any more, not for me, anyway. "It's just never occurred to me that a woman wouldn't be equal, in any sphere, to a man. It's nothing that has ever come up in my life and nothing I've thought about in terms of Amy. She's just a strong girl, woman, whatever. Oh, let's just say she's a strong female. And I really like that she gets to drive the plot sometimes and gets her own storylines. She's not just standing around in awe of the Doctor all the time."

Her comments were spot-on in response to the UK press referring to her as the Doctor's "slut" (http://circulatinglibrary.net/archives/when-outraged-feminism-meets-doctor-who)

Well if you don't mind TV-

HBO's The Wire has lots of examples of controlling relationships and using women as objects (both by the police and the criminals - it's equal opportunity). There are also plenty of examples of raising young men in a controlling way, etc.

FX's The Shield & Son's of Anarchy and HBO's the Sopranos have controlling men who manipulate, use and abuse everyone. These are also excellent examples of men controlling men. Side note: I have never seen that prison show that I think HBO did- OZ- but I am guessing there is plenty of stuff in there.

AMC's Mad Men infuriates me (still love the show) with examples of men controlling women - straight up betty-crocker 1950's I know - but the show resonates with people for a reason.

AMC's Breaking Bad has a disturbing rape scene between the main character and his wife in season two.

Showtime's Weeds has lots of control issues in the last couple seasons especially since she hooked up with the Mexican politician/drug kingpin.

TLC's Toddlers and Tiaras: Controlling mothers (and fathers) - yup - just a little.

Since the X-Files is never ‘old’ there are lots of examples of government controlling citizens. I recommend you start there for research purposes. :-)

Wow, those are GREAT examples! But I don't have HBO, so I'm not sure how to get media clips for them. I'll see what's online.

I can't think of any movies that depict a controlling man that is NOT physically abusive. The media always seems to lump the two. The only one that comes to mind, and it's from the 90's is the movie, "Fear." I don't remember if there was physical abuse, but I remember the manipulation of the family and him getting her to say that she needed him.

Hey, what about Jennifer Aniston's role in "Horrible Bosses?" They aren't a couple, nor is she a man... but it might be an interesting twist. Maybe...

Yeah, sorry about the Mrs Doubtfire thing - I obviously don't get out much!! (or enough!) Also, don't have a tv so can't help you there! You just have to humour us olds Matt, sorry

Oh Hep, I LOVE the movie 28 Days. .... She kicked him to the curb in the end, so that counts as a plus doesn't it.

TV shows.. I agree with sons of anarchy. The rape was particularly harrowing but I think they wrote it well.

Spartacus (tv series) Many examples of control in various relationships. Interestingly, it shows how the woman controls the man and then how the man controls the woman - it shows them as equals in the mind games and violence.

Just started watching game of thrones but set in a fictional medieval realm so there is bound to be PLENTY of examples in that.

Glee has actually had a few storylines around relationships with control elements.

it does :)

I was watching big bang theory today and they were talking about the film 28 days too!

Most of the movies/shows I think of are more of the background characters that seem to fit...like, HOUSE...

The main character does have huge issues, but the young female doctor who swoons to House's authority and rudeness, as if it is attractive...UGH!

Old, but still....Married With Children...and ANY of the "adult" cartoons.