If there is one word that has been stretched beyond recognition in internet culture, it is toxic. What used to describe genuinely harmful behavior is now used for anything that rubs someone the wrong way. A late reply? Toxic. A personality clash? Toxic. These days, toxic has become Gen Z’s go-to label for anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. But that was not always the case. Not long ago, calling a behavior toxic was not as straightforward, mainly because some of those behaviors were so deeply integrated into the fabric of culture that calling them out was not just about the act itself, but about questioning an entire way of life. Still, there is some room for a middle ground; one that acknowledges harmful behavior without dismissing generational or cultural differences outright. Some Egyptian films and TV series, like Maweed Ala El Ashaa (A Dinner Date, 1981) and Bent Esmaha Zaat (A Girl Named Zat, 2013), navigate this space with subtlety. They do not overtly label certain maternal behaviors as toxic, but through some scenes, they invite the viewer to recognize the harm while also understanding that these patterns…
