Ayo Edebiri is being praised online for clapping back at an Italian journalist

Ayo Edebiri had what some are describing as the perfect clapback to an Italian reporter's line of questioning during a press junket for Luca Guadagnino's upcoming film, After The Hunt.

The Bottoms star sat alongside castmates Andrew Garfield and Julia Roberts when a reporter for ArtsLife lobbed an uncomfortable question at the group.

"In your opinion, what we lost during the politically correct era and what we have to expect in Hollywood after the #MeToo movement and Black Lives Matter are done?" The journalist, whose name is Federica Polidoro, then made clear that the question was for, "The two of you, Andrew and Julia."

The three actors immediately appeared visibly uncomfortable, scoffing and shifting in their seats. Roberts even asked the journalist to repeat the question, adding, "With your sunglasses on, I can't tell which of us you're talking to."

After Polidoro confidently repeated the question, clarifying that it was indeed for Garfield and Roberts, Edebiri then spoke up.

"I know that that's not for me, and I don't know if it's purposeful that it's not for me. But I just am curious," Edebiri said, glancing at her costars. "I don't think it's done at all. I think, maybe, hashtags might not be used as much, or...but I do think that there's work being done by activists, by people every day, that's beautiful, important work that's not finished."

Even if it isn't as visible in the media, the actor continued, that important work continues to be carried out "because this world is really charged." "Maybe if there's, like, not mainstream coverage in the way that there might've been, daily headlines in the way that it might've been eight or so years ago...but I don't think that it means that the work is done," Edebiri concluded. "That's what I would say."

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Edebiri is being praised online for her response to the line of questioning. Meanwhile, Polidoro, who doubled down in light of the backlash, is being heavily criticized.

"I have been subjected to personal insults and attacks because of a question that, for some reason, was not well received by some members of the public," the Italian journalist wrote in an Instagram statement, which was reported on by E! News. "I find it striking that those who unjustly accuse me of racism and consider themselves custodians of justice find acceptable violent language, personal attacks, and cyberbullying."

She concluded, "I would like to clarify that, rather than focusing on the thoughtful responses of Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts, and Andrew Garfield, the discussion continues solely on how I should have phrased the question."

This is the second time in recent weeks that After the Hunt has been the subject of a controversy, with the feature grabbing headlines out of the Venice Film Festival for its nod to disgraced director Woody Allen.