Abheet Gupta 
There was a time when a critic’s verdict could make or break a film. Their reviews swayed public opinion and determined a movie’s worth. But over the past decade, the gap between audiences and critics has grown significantly. The question is—where does the problem lie? Have critics lost touch, or have audience tastes, expectations, and standards declined? As someone who falls somewhere between a casual audience member and a wanna-be critic, I want to analyze the reasons behind this growing concept of critics vs audiences.
Critics vs Audiences: Why Audiences are to Blame
1. Rise in Accessibility of Movies
Thanks to the internet, piracy, and streaming services, movies are now more accessible than ever. No longer do people have to wait for theatrical releases or expensive DVDs—everything is available at their fingertips. This has empowered audiences to watch more films, but it has also led to an overload of opinions. Now, everyone has an opinion about everything, often without much knowledge of film history, storytelling, or filmmaking techniques. With so many voices in the mix, finding a consensus on a film’s quality is becoming increasingly difficult.
2. Everyone is a Critic, Thanks to Social Media
Having an opinion is good, but social media has turned film critique into an unregulated free-for-all. Platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and Letterboxd have created spaces where people express their thoughts, often without nuance or analysis. The problem is that most of these opinions are emotionally driven, reactive, or shaped by broader social narratives rather than an evaluation of a film’s craft. Additionally, fan bases form cult-like communities, dismissing valid criticism and strengthening their own emotional biases. With audiences behaving like critics and critics behaving like audiences, the distinction between the two has almost vanished.
3. Media Drama and Controversies
Both critics and audiences share the blame for this one. Controversies now dominate the conversation around movies, often before they are even released. Whether it’s a casting decision, a political statement, or a director’s past actions, discussions around films are increasingly shaped by external factors rather than the movie itself. These controversies create pre-judgments, where audiences and critics form strong opinions before even watching the film, widening the divide between them.
Critics vs Audiences: Why Critics to Blame
1. Rise of Wokeism and Audience Frustration with It
Without getting too harsh, it’s fair to say that modern film criticism leans heavily into sociopolitical themes. While representation and progressive storytelling are important, forcing messages at the cost of storytelling quality has frustrated many moviegoers. Critics often champion films that align with certain social narratives, even when they lack compelling storytelling, leading audiences to feel disconnected from critic-approved movies.
2. Rigged Award Seasons
Award shows have lost credibility for many moviegoers. Films with strong political or social messages often dominate the Oscars and other major awards, while fan-favorite, well-crafted blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick or Dune in recent years get sidelined. Leaving blockbusters aside, even artistic merit now takes a backseat to narratives that serve a specific agenda, making award seasons feel more like politically driven showcases than celebrations of cinematic excellence.
3. Paid Reviews and Falling Critical Integrity
If you think paid reviews are just a conspiracy theory, think again. Studios engage in “pleasing the critics” through various means—exclusive previews, gifts, or direct payments. This directly impacts the integrity of film journalism. While critics should have personal tastes, their job is to provide at least external environment-fueled unbiased analysis. Unfortunately, many reviews today feel less like genuine opinions and more like strategic PR pieces.
Conclusion: The Blurred Line Between Critics and Audiences
If we step back and look at the big picture, the difference between critics and audiences has almost disappeared. Many cinephiles have their own review blogs, YouTube channels, or published reviews in media outlets. It begs the question who is even a critic these days? Am I a critic? Are you a critic? These days, audiences act like critics, and critics are just audiences getting paid for their opinions.
So, in this ever-confusing landscape of critics vs audiences, how do we decide what to watch? The answer is simple—ignore the noise. Don’t rely on critics, don’t follow the audience hype. Instead, follow your instincts. Pick genres you love and seek out stories that resonate with you. Because, at the end of the day, being a cinephile isn’t about following trends—it’s about finding the films that empower, move, and inspire you. Divide would always exist, but isn’t it better to fully and whole-heartedly believe in what you believe?
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