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Jena Malone has shared that she was sexually assaulted during the “Hunger Games” movies.
Malone, who joined the franchise in 2013’s “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” shared a photo after finishing production on 2015’s “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part Two.” Suzanne Collins’ novels recently landed a prequel movie.
“This photo was taken right after I finished ‘Mockingjay Part Two’ and I had to say goodbye to everyone on set. We were filming in a beautiful estate in the French countryside and I asked the driver to take me let out in this field so I can grieve and capture this moment,” Malone said with a trigger warning. “Even though this time in Paris was extremely difficult for me, going through a bad breakup and I also been sexually assaulted by someone I had worked with, I was so grateful for this project, the people I became close with and this amazing part I got to play. A swirling mix of emotions that I’m only now learning to sort through.
She continued, “I wish it wasn’t related to such a traumatic event for me, but that’s the real wilderness of life I guess. How to hold chaos with beauty. I worked very hard to heal and learn through restorative justice, how to make peace with the person who raped me and make peace with myself.
The ‘Consecration’ actress added, “It’s been hard to talk about ‘The Hunger Games’ and (the character) of Johanna Mason without feeling the sharpness of this moment in time, but I’m ready to push through and to reclaim the joy and accomplishment that I felt. Lots of love to you survivors out there. The process is so slow and non-linear. I mean I’m here for anyone who needs to talk or romp or open up undisclosed spaces by themselves.Please DM me if you need a safe space to be heard.
In response to a comment on the Instagram post, Malone said she chose not to name her attacker due to the “cancellation type culture” these days.
Malone, a former child star whose credits include “Donnie Darko” and “Contact,” told IndieWire’s Jude Dry that she was “optimistic” about changes in Hollywood following the #MeToo movement.
“I think the things to be optimistic about are building language, learning how to add words and vernacular to things that haven’t been written well in the past, learning how to build alliances, specifically for your own well-being,” Malone said. “I think it’s a really cool by-product of where #MeToo started and where it’s now veering due to the pandemic. It’s a really nice awareness of not just power structures, but also, ‘Honey, we need some rest. Let’s have better hours on set, let’s be nice to each other.