Saoirse Ronan’s retort to Paul Mescal’s problematic self-defense joke hailed as ‘iconic’ reality check

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Actress Saoirse Ronan, 30, appeared on 'The Graham Norton Show' on Friday, October 25, alongside Paul Mescal, Eddie Redmayne, and Denzel Washington.

She shared her views on violence against women following a self-defense joke.

During the talk show, 42-year-old Redmayne discussed the rigorous physical training he undertook for his role as an assassin in the forthcoming miniseries, 'The Day of the Jackal'.

Saoirse Ronan skillfully silences male Hollywood stars amid contentious joke

After revealing that Eddie Redmayne had been trained to use his phone as a weapon in case of an attack, Paul Mescal, aged 28, and host Graham Norton started joking, claiming they wouldn't consider using their phones in such a manner if they were in peril.

"Who is actually going to think about that?" Mescal spoke as he pantomimed taking a phone from his pocket. "If someone actually attacked me, I’m not going to go 'phone.' " 

Norton, aged 61, then gestured toward an imaginary assailant and remarked, "Can you hold on a second?" as he mimed taking out his phone.

"That’s a very good point," Redmayne contributed, and then Ronan interjected, saying, "That’s what girls have to think about all the time."

The star of 'Little Women' then turned to the audience and asked, "Am I right, ladies?" which elicited a resounding applause, as per People.

Internet lauds Saoirse Ronan for pointing out women's predicament

Social media users lauded Saoirse Ronan for her remarks, which have become viral, noting that she effectively "silenced" the men on the talk show.

A user wrote, “Saoirse Ronan is a queen. Men need a reminder what it’s like being a woman so they can appreciate their privilege. The silence after she said that speaks volumes."

Another added, “Saoirse ronan gagging men we love to see it."

The third commentator remarked, "Me liking every tweet about saoirse ronan gagging those men on graham norton."

"Saoirse Ronan silencing the men on Graham Norton show with ‘girls have to think about that all the time’ ICONIC," said a fan.

A person said, "Saoirse Ronan saying that and really showing how men sometimes can be so ignorant about what they say about situations, that mostly happen to women and making jokes about situations that mostly effect women and how they live in constant fear."

Other chimed in, "I admire Saoirse Ronan so much - when she mentions how women have to think constantly how to defend ourselves from attack and everyone goes quiet and then cheers. She's so right! #GrahamNorton."

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