Actor Matt Smith has criticized the use of trigger warnings in film and theatre, arguing that they lead to the 'dialing down' of complex narratives and characters. He believes that audiences are being preemptively warned about potentially distressing content, which diminishes the element of surprise that is essential to storytelling. Smith advocates for morally challenging stories and maintains that discomfort should be a part of engaging with art. He reminisced about watching provocative films in his youth, suggesting that the current climate of sensitivity is overprotective. His views align with those of other industry figures like Judi Dench and Ralph Fiennes, who have also expressed concerns about the implications of trigger warnings in performances. Dench remarked on the absurdity of extensive trigger warnings for classic works, indicating a trend that could stifle artistic expression.