10 Films That Sparked Controversy Among Critics

Some recent movies that have won multiple prestigious awards or broken records at the box office were incredibly divisive, with critics either hating them or loving them. This is reflected in flat-out contradictory statements from different well-known reviewers, or middling Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic scores from the two extremes balancing each other out. This might be caused by the movie focusing on controversial subject matter, featuring bold aesthetic choices that some people find overwhelming, or comprising allegedly confusing plots.

Meanwhile, general audiences might be similarly divided. Movies including Don't Look Up, Babylon, and, of course, Star Wars: The Last Jedi split audiences and critics alike down the middle. The very elements that one group argued to be the movie's biggest weaknesses, the others argued to be its defining strengths. However, it is also common for audiences and critics to disagree: What audiences think is an entertaining movie critics find meaningless, while what critics think is profound audiences think is dull or too complicated.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 55% | Metacritic: 49% | Audience Score: 78%

Dr. Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Kate (Jennifer Lawrence) sit next to each other on a couch in Don't Look Up. - Rotten Tomatoes: 55% | Metacritic: 49% | Audience Score: 78% - Don't Look Up (2021)

Don't Look Up is a movie that captures America's ability to divide opinions on any issue, which led to mixed reviews. Some critics felt that the political message was too obvious and the star-studded cast overshadowed the story. Despite some overly dramatic moments, the film is meant to be satire. Don't Look Up managed to spark debates among critics and viewers, earning a surprising Best Picture nomination.

Spring Breakers (2012)

Rotten Tomatoes: 68% | Metacritic: 63% | Audience Score: 38%

The Spring Breakers in bikinis stand next to Alien - Rotten Tomatoes: 68% | Metacritic: 63% | Audience Score: 38% - Spring Breakers (2012)

The comparison between Don't Look Up and Spring Breakers is quite strange when looking at their content, ratings, and the latter's Oscar nomination. Roger Ebert, from rogerebert.com, mentioned how Spring Breakers makes us reflect on the hedonistic aspects of that yearly tradition. Heather Long, from The Guardian, pointed out how the film's portrayal of women can contribute to rape culture. The reception of Spring Breakers sparks debates on whether it empowers or objectifies, and if the character portrayals should be viewed within the film's overall message.

Aisha Harris pointed out in Slate that the movie Spring Breakers portrays a racist view where black lives are valued less than white lives. Despite some fans, the film carries a negative tone. Director Harmony Korine has made it clear that there will not be a sequel to Spring Breakers, indicating a desire to move on from the project.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Rotten Tomatoes: 75% | Metacritic: 68% | Audience Score: 77%

Oswaldo, John and Daisy from The Hateful Eight - Rotten Tomatoes: 75% | Metacritic: 68% | Audience Score: 77% - The Hateful Eight (2015)

No one can agree if The Hateful Eight's characters can carry that runtime or if the movie is redundant and boring.

Sean Burns from wbur.org described The Hateful Eight's reception as divisive and unpleasant, stating that Quentin Tarantino's movie sparked a lot of arguments among critics. Many of Tarantino's films tend to be longer, but opinions are split on whether The Hateful Eight's characters can sustain its length or if the movie ends up feeling repetitive and dull. Some still believe that The Hateful Eight is a hidden gem, while others feel that its flaws overshadow its strengths. Overall, The Hateful Eight is not considered Tarantino's finest work.

Interstellar (2014)

Rotten Tomatoes: 73% | Metacritic: 74% | Audience Score: 86%

Cooper landing Miller's planet on Interstellar - Rotten Tomatoes: 73% | Metacritic: 74% | Audience Score: 86% - Interstellar (2014)

Interstellar, positioned as a mid-tier Christopher Nolan film, falls short of the acclaim garnered by Inception or The Dark Knight, and certainly not on par with Oppenheimer. However, it also doesn't rank at the bottom of the list. The standout aspects of the movie are Matthew McConaughey's performance and the scientific foundation of the storyline. One common criticism of Interstellar is that its emotional narratives overshadow the scientific elements. In a lukewarm review, Ebert noted that while the film showcases cutting-edge sci-fi visuals, it tends to lean towards sentimental life lessons rather than focusing solely on the science fiction aspects.

Eternals (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 47% | Metacritic: 52% | Audience Score: 77%

Five Eternals protecting Babylon from Deviants - Rotten Tomatoes: 47% | Metacritic: 52% | Audience Score: 77% - Eternals (2021)

Eternals, directed by Oscar-winning Chloé Zhao, features a stellar cast that has received praise. The movie has received mixed reviews as it presents a unique and more philosophical take compared to other MCU films. However, some critics have pointed out the challenges in introducing a new team of heroes. While critical reviews fall in the middle, audience scores are generally higher. Despite this, fans remain divided on how Eternals will connect to the broader MCU narrative.

Uncut Gems (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | Metacritic: 92% | Audience Score: 52%

Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) smiles at an off-screen customer in Uncut Gems. - Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | Metacritic: 92% | Audience Score: 52% - Uncut Gems (2019)

Mother! (2017)

Uncut Gems has received high scores among critics, despite not receiving any Oscar nominations. The majority of critics praised the film, with only CNN and Slate's reviewers offering negative feedback (source: metacritic.com). Owen Gleiberman from Variety described Uncut Gems as a drama that delivers intense momentum and existential chaos, which may be overwhelming for some viewers, even for hardcore indie-film enthusiasts.

Rotten Tomatoes: 69% | Metacritic: 76% | Audience Score: 51%

Jennifer Lawrence looks distraught in Mother! - Rotten Tomatoes: 69% | Metacritic: 76% | Audience Score: 51% - Mother! (2017)

Darren Aronfonsky's horror film Mother! has divided critics, with starkly contrasting views that cannot be reconciled. The movie is filled with symbolism that bends reality, to the point where even the lead actress Jennifer Lawrence admits she doesn't fully grasp the film's meaning. Yohana Desta, writing for Vanity Fair, describes Mother! as the most polarizing film of the year. Some viewers passionately love it, treating it like a cult classic, while others despise it to the point of harsh criticism that continues to this day.

Critics had differing opinions on whether the allegories in Mother! were successful or unnecessary. The film sparked controversy at the Venice Film Festival, where it received both applause and jeers from the audience (via Corriere).

Prometheus (2012)

Rotten Tomatoes: 73% | Metacritic: 64% | Audience Score: 68%

prometheus 2012 cast poster - Rotten Tomatoes: 73% | Metacritic: 64% | Audience Score: 68% - Prometheus (2012)

Prometheus might be seen in a more positive light if it was judged on its own. Yet, it has to live up to the reputation of the movie Alien and has a few inconsistencies in its storyline. Ryan Britt, as reported by Inverse, believes that the issues with Prometheus are likely because of the audience's expectations. He even goes as far as calling it "one of the most misunderstood sci-fi movies ever."

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

"The Last Jedi is not a better movie than the original Star Wars. But, in terms of staying true to the essence of the sci-fi genre, The Last Jedi excels. Director Rian Johnson delves into complex themes and takes risks that challenge traditional storytelling in the Star Wars universe."

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | Metacritic: 84% | Audience Score: 42%

Luke talking to Rey at the Jedi mural in The Last Jedi with a sunset in the backgroud - Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | Metacritic: 84% | Audience Score: 42% - Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

Star Wars: The Last Jedi has caused a split among Star Wars fans. The movie, the second in the sequel trilogy, features stunning visuals, powerful moments with the iconic music, well-executed fight scenes, and nods to fans. However, some fans were divided over new Force powers, Luke's character development, and the casino scene detour.

Most critics gave The Last Jedi positive reviews. However, even those who praised the film had reservations about the unconventional use of the Force. Ebert noted that while plot twists may push the boundaries of the Star Wars universe, they often serve to expand the mythology or introduce new elements from Lucas' world.

Babylon (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 57% | Metacritic: 61% | Audience Score: 52%

Babylon Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie - Rotten Tomatoes: 57% | Metacritic: 61% | Audience Score: 52% - Babylon (2022)

While negative reviews were prominent, there were also some passionate supporters who stood out. Surprisingly, Stephen King was one of the defenders of Babylon.

After the triumph of La La Land, director Damien Chazelle came back with another Hollywood drama, featuring a star-studded cast. Margot Robbie delivered a captivating performance as Sharon Tate in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Tarantino's grand Hollywood production. Despite high expectations, Babylon failed to make an impact at the box office.

Babylon caused a divide among critics and audiences due to its unusual satire and excessively hedonistic scenes. Despite receiving negative reviews, there were some passionate defenders, including the unexpected support from Stephen King. The conflicting opinions could be attributed to individual preferences. Nevertheless, Babylon and similar controversial films have become captivating tales in Hollywood.

Source: rogerebert.com, The Guardian, Slate, wbur.org, metacritic.com, Variety, Vanity Fair, Corriere, Inverse

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the growing trend of divisive movies that elicit extreme reactions from both critics and audiences. These films often explore controversial themes, employ bold aesthetics, or feature complex narratives. The resulting polarization is evident in the starkly contrasting reviews and middling aggregate scores.

The article provides examples of such movies, including "Don't Look Up," "Spring Breakers," and "Star Wars: The Last Jedi." While some critics praised these films for their originality and thought-provoking nature, others criticized them for their flaws and perceived pretentiousness. Interestingly, the audience scores for many of these movies often differ significantly from the critical consensus, indicating that divisive films can resonate with viewers despite their critical reception. This phenomenon underscores the subjective nature of film criticism and the importance of personal interpretation.