Britney Spears' 'Criminal' music video: Too steamy?
The pop star and her real-life boyfriend play sex-crazed, gun-toting robbers in a controversial new clip

The video: The video for Britney Spears' latest single, "Criminal," was already deemed controversial for allegedly glamorizing gun violence when it was shot in East London last month. Now, the Bonnie and Clyde-themed music video (watch it below) has been officially released, and gun violence is just the tip of the iceberg. Spears co-stars with her real-life boyfriend, talent agent Jason Trawick. His character rescues Spears from an abusive relationship, then leads Spears on a crime spree that's, naturally, frequently interrupted so the two can engage in very-naked sex scenes that some critics consider extreme, even by Spears' standards.
The reaction: "There's a reason we don't like to see real-life couples [have sex] in movies," says Melinda Newman at HitFix. It's an uncomfortably voyeuristic experience. "This video left me wanting to hop in that shower to wash 'Criminal' off me." Yes, the "steamy shower sex" made us feel like we we were watching one of "Britney and Jason's… um, private videos," says The Huffington Post. But, at least the storyline, dialogue, and acting are classically kitschy — hinting that, thankfully, "the old, playful Britney is back." Judge for yourself:
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Cameron House Resort & Spa: a luxurious lakeside haven
The Week Recommends This stunning five-star resort on the shores of Loch Lomond is perfect for a special Scottish getaway
-
Albania’s AI government minister: a portent of things to come?
In The Spotlight A bot called Diella has been tasked with tackling the country's notorious corruption problem
-
Hyatt Regency Lisbon: a tranquil oasis in the historic district of Belém
The Week Recommends With its sprawling spa and prime location overlooking the River Tagus, this luxury hotel is a great place to escape the bustle of the city