Andrew Dominik’s controversial biopic takes some creative liberties, but here’s what really happened.
Both in life and death,Marilyn Monroehas been mired in conspiracies.
Did Marilyn’s mother really attempt to drown her?
The real Marilyn Monroe and Ana de Armas in ‘Blonde.'.Everett Collection; Netflix
No records indicate this actually happened.
It may be a moment devised for dramatic impact.
However, despite no evidence of an attempted drowning, Monroe did speak privately of incidents of abuse.
‘Blonde’ charts Marilyn Monroe’s life as a violent fever dream.Matt Kennedy / Netflix
Was Marilyn in a throuple with the sons of Charlie Chaplin and Edward G. Robinson?
It forms a bond that ultimately lasts throughout her life.
Was Marilyn forced to have an abortion by the studio?
Netflix
Others, like Bette Davis, simply chose their work over starting a family.
And there were, of course, stars pressured into abortions by studio moguls, most notably Judy Garland.
But whether or not Monroe was one of them remains a mystery.
Bobby Cannavale and Ana de Armas in ‘Blonde’.Netflix
What about the miscarriage?
Though the particulars are not known, her miscarriages were clearly a source of stress in their marriage.
Was Joe DiMaggio enraged by the subway-grate scene in The Seven Year Itch?
Monroe’s marriage to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio is a brief part of the film, withBobby Cannavaleplaying DiMaggio.
She was trying to fight him off but couldn’t."
What about that casting couch?
Zanuck was known for his questionable meetings with starlets and a predilection for flashing women with his penis.
