New ‘Transformers’ film promotes unrealistic body standards

Hollywood has done it again, folks. Just when you thought we were making progress with body positivity and representation, along comes the latest Transformers movie to remind us that even 30-foot-tall alien robots have to adhere to impossible beauty standards.

Optimus Prime is supposed to be a leader, a warrior, and, you know, a literal truck. But apparently, that’s not enough. He’s got biceps (if you can call them that) so massive that now there must be some Cybertronian oil-drum benching gym we don’t know about and must join immediately.

Then there’s Bumblebee, who’s supposed to be the “relatable” one. Yet somehow, his frame screams “fresh out of a CrossFit competition.” His yellow armor is perfectly polished, like he’s one protein shake away from starting his own influencer page. How are we supposed to identify with that?

Even the villains are unattainably shredded. Megatron, for instance, struts onto the battlefield looking like he spends half his time plundering the galaxy and the other half doing deadlifts. If he weren’t so busy trying to destroy humanity, you know he’d have a sponsorship deal with an athletic wear brand.

Pair this with impossibly chiseled features—angular jaws, sharp cheekbones, and glowing optics that seem to say, “I’m better than you.” Where’s the Transformer with the double chin? Or the one who skipped a few transformations and is carrying a little extra steel around the midsection?

These aren’t just robots—they’re hyper-idealized versions of humanity’s insecurities. It’s bad enough that real actors get airbrushed to oblivion in posters, but now we’re doing it to machines? What’s next, a Transformer with six-pack hydraulics doing a Peloton class on the big screen?

This is setting a dangerous precedent. Imagine the message this sends to everyday people. If even robots—who don’t have metabolisms or diets to worry about—are expected to look like metallic Greek gods, what hope is there for the rest of us? Where’s the Transformer that’s a little clunky, a little awkward? The one who doesn’t care about their shine and is just here to fight for justice with a heart full of courage and a few loose bolts?

What’s especially frustrating is the complete lack of diversity in body types. We’re talking about alien beings who can literally shapeshift into anything—and they all chose to be bodybuilders? Not one of them thought, “You know what, I’m gonna rock the dad bod and be a Volvo.”

Once again, perfection is the unattainable standard – and apparently, even the robots are feeling the pressure.

Give us an Autobot with a little wear-and-tear, some dings in the armor. Show us a Decepticon who’s not in peak physical condition but still makes it to the battlefield because they’ve got grit and determination. Show us representation.