Blonde is a fictionalized biographical drama that explores the inner life of Norma Jeane Mortenson, better known as Marilyn Monroe. Based on the novel by Joyce Carol Oates, the film delves into Norma Jeane’s troubled childhood, marked by abandonment, abuse, and a mentally unstable mother. These early traumas shape her desperate search for love and identity throughout her life.
As she grows up and transforms into the iconic Marilyn Monroe, the film portrays the stark contrast between her public image and private anguish. Although adored by the public and pursued by Hollywood, Norma Jeane struggles with feelings of emptiness, objectification, and emotional instability. Her relationships with powerful men — including Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller, and a character based on JFK — are shown as toxic and controlling.
The movie presents Marilyn not just as a victim of the studio system, but also as a symbol of how fame dehumanizes. Her inability to separate herself from the “Marilyn” persona leads to identity confusion and a deepening sense of alienation. The narrative emphasizes how the pressures of stardom, media attention, and exploitation wear down her mental health.
The film uses surreal and impressionistic storytelling techniques, including shifting aspect ratios, dreamlike sequences, and disturbing imagery, to reflect Marilyn’s fractured state of mind. It does not follow a traditional biopic structure; instead, it focuses on her inner torment, constantly blurring the lines between fantasy, memory, and reality.
Blonde ultimately presents a haunting, tragic portrait of a woman who was never truly seen for who she was. Rather than celebrating Monroe’s career or legacy, it offers a raw and unsettling meditation on pain, identity, and the dark side of celebrity. The film has divided audiences and critics, praised for its boldness but also criticized for its bleak and controversial depiction.