Why Critics and Audiences Often Disagree on Film Reviews

Movie enthusiasts often find themselves in a quagmire of conflicting opinions, with critics and audiences seemingly at odds over the merits of films on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes. This article dissects the reasons behind these divergent views and provides insight into the complex dynamics that contribute to such disparities.

Different Expectations

The primary disparity often stems from differing expectations. Critics tend to focus on technical aspects such as the film's direction, cinematography, and screenplay (the technical quintet), while audiences prioritize entertainment value and emotional engagement. These varied perspectives lead to divergent opinions on the same film, with critics often looking for substance and artistic merit whereas audiences may be more forgiving of character development and plot structure.

Taste and Background

In addition to varying expectations, critics usually bring a wealth of experience and education in film analysis, which can skew their perspectives. They might appreciate subtleties and artistic choices that the general audience may find more challenging or less valuable. Audiences, on the other hand, might enjoy a film purely for its entertainment value or because of its emotional impact, without necessarily dissecting its technical merits in detail.

Genre Bias

Certain film genres can also contribute to these divergent reviews. For instance, horror and romantic comedies may receive different reactions from critics and audiences. Critics might view these genres with a more critical lens, focusing on their use of genre conventions and adherence to established standards. However, audiences might appreciate them simply for their entertainment factor or emotional release.

Cultural Context

Audiences often connect with films based on their personal experiences or cultural relevance. This can lead to more favorable ratings, especially for films that resonate with specific cultural groups. Critics, however, evaluate films against broader societal standards or historical contexts. This difference can result in divergent opinions, especially for culturally sensitive or controversial films.

Hype and Marketing

Another factor that influences audience ratings is the hype and marketing surrounding a film. High-profile marketing campaigns can create significant expectations, leading audiences to rate the film more favorably, even if critics find it wanting. Conversely, if a film is oversold, it can sometimes lead to a backlash in audience reviews.

Nostalgia and Fandom

Audience ratings can also be heavily influenced by nostalgia or loyalty to franchises. Fans of specific series or genres might rate a film much higher simply because it falls within their preferred universe, even if critics might find it less appealing. This phenomenon can lead to inflated scores that reflect fan sentiment more than critical analysis.

The Myth of Disagreement

While it might appear that critics and audiences frequently disagree, the reality is quite different. Research has shown that the critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes often correlates with the audience score. The The Ringer notes that while there are occasional discrepancies, these are more the exception than the norm.

However, there have indeed been cases where critics and audiences have sharply different opinions. These instances are often the result of review bombing campaigns, where activists or interested parties manipulate the audience ratings to skew the results. A notable example is the 2019 film Captain Marvel. Despite its Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 33% based on 58,000 votes, audiences apparently gave it better reviews, with an average grade of 'A' according to CinemaScore.

Fact-Checking the Myths

While review bombing campaigns can skew the audience scores, there are robust measures in place to mitigate this issue. Scientific polls such as those conducted by CinemaScore and PostTrak are more reliable indicators of audience reaction, as they are less susceptible to manipulation. These polls are known to correlate with a film's box office performance, particularly in relation to its opening weekend.

It's worth noting that when the Rotten Tomatoes audience score is not impacted by review bombing, it tends to correlate with the critics' score. This suggests that, in the absence of external manipulation, a film's critical and audience reviews often move in tandem.

In conclusion, while critics and audiences may seem at odds, the underlying differences are often rooted in varying expectations, backgrounds, and the cultural and emotional contexts of film consumption. Understanding these factors can help bridge the gap between critical and popular opinions.