The mixed verdict in Johnny Depp’s defamation case against Amber Heard seems, at least, a reflection of the complex turmoil that appears to define the actors’ relationship, the details of which unfolded over the course of six seemingly endless weeks in a humble Virginia court. But it wasn’t entirely satisfactory for those die-hard Depp fans who decided the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star’s victory was their new raison d’être. For these people, who seemed to multiply with each passing day on every potential media platform, the only acceptable outcome was the outright humiliation of Heard, who has emerged as the ultimate example of the derailed #MeToo movement.
Before we move on, let’s correct one thing: This is not a column about whether Heard or Depp is innocent, nor about the fact that they are married. It is not about how the ruling will discourage domestic violence victims from speaking out in the future, although this is still a very important and troubling aspect that deserves attention and thought moving forward. This is, rather, about how upsetting the allegations of abuse are that the allegations of abuse have become endless fodder Speculations and memes for LOLs. It’s about how frustrating it was to see millions of people taking part in this trial as if they were siding with their favorite soap opera characters, and how the live broadcast of this trial has become a shortcut for the justice system to just entertainment. It’s about how allowing television cameras at trial was once a journalistic necessity, but is now more effective in influencing the court of public opinion than anything else.
After decades of media selling high-profile conflicts like primetime sports, repackaging true crime stories into bite-size chunks, and even following cops (and OJ Simpson) breathlessly into high-speed live chases, Depp and Heard are the latest dumped friends. For predatory masses in order to get higher scores. Encouraging people to take a stand in celebrity disputes — whether it’s a civil lawsuit or a high-profile breakup (were you Team Jen or Team Angelina?) — is as old as the concept of celebrity itself. And given how easy it is to use platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube to spread opinions, no matter how wild or unfounded, it was only a matter of time before something like Depp vs. Heard.
abslyotly sure; It’s tempting to be surprised at how quickly Depp vs. Heard to every possible corner of the media quickly and completely. It can be refreshing to be surprised by the constant updates, stares, and speculation that followed all the dirty details. However, as downright ugly this suit was, and as overwhelming the response to it became, its evolution into a phenomenon seemed mostly inevitable.
Thanks to the accessible live stream, I found every minute of my Depp vs. Heard is an audience ready and willing to analyze every gesture, every look, and every sentence for themselves. Once the “hear bad, deep good” story solidifies, so does a frantic rush to piece the evidence together in a way that supports it. Even an unofficial search on TikTok will reveal hundreds of thousands of videos that claim to know the truth from the smallest core. Long before the jury delivered its verdict, the internet crawled with sarcastic jokes about Heard’s alleged hysteria, whether from obsessed viewers, the makeup brand she claimed she used to cover up a bruise, or the Duolingo owl.
When people consume real life like scripted dramas, and news updates like script twists, it becomes very easy for them to separate reality from its humanity. Once Heard became the villain and Depp the victim, that was enough to keep millions, and all the media platforms that depend on those millions, hooked. Soon, the cameras will no longer appear in this story. The appetite for it will diminish, and our attention span will diminish. But the consequences of the judgment will continue to appear off-screen, throughout the real world many are forgotten.
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