In a recent interview with The Times, Emma Stone from ‘Poor Things’ joined the ongoing discussion about ‘Madame Web’s performance, directing attention to the role of social media criticism and online trolling in shaping movie outcomes.
During the conversation, Stone shed light on the impact that social media has on movies today. Unlike the past, where film critics held the monopoly over cinematic critique, the internet era has democratized this process, allowing anyone with online access to voice their opinions.
This shift, according to Stone, introduced a level of chaos in the industry, affecting not just the professionals involved in film production but also altering public perception and, ultimately, a movie’s success. The actress then gave what her mother told her as an example, saying:
“My mom has this saying that at the start of a relationship, you say, ‘Oh, we’re so in love we finish each other’s sentences.’ Then, as time goes by, it becomes, ‘You’re always interrupting me.’ That can happen in a relationship with film.”
Stone compared the audience-film relationship to the dynamics of a personal relationship, noting how initial admiration can quickly sour. This, she argues, has led to an unforgiving environment where films can be prematurely judged and dismissed based on online opinion.
Dakota Johnson’s Disconnect From The Lore Fueled The Debate
Featuring Johnson in the lead, ‘Madame Web’ has been at the center of this debate following its lackluster performance. The film, part of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, was met with negative reviews from critics and fans.
In a recent interview with MTV, Johnson revealed she’s far disconnected from the Spider-Man lore as she wasn’t able to name any Tom Holland-led Spider-Man movies. This also fueled further controversy, with some fans criticizing her for her lack of seriousness about the role.
Critics have not been kind to ‘Madame Web’ either, as some of them branded it one of the worst superhero movies to date. The critical consensus points to an ’embarrassing mess’ with a notably low approval rating on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.
Moreover, ‘Madame Web’s’ struggle emerges during a challenging period of superhero fatigue for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, which has seen mixed reception since branching out from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s portrayal of the web-slinger. Previous entries, such as ‘Morbius,‘ had a similar fate.
