Beyond “Masterpiece” or “Garbage”: Locating Your Film Reviewers in the Era of Algorithms

BY Adair Ortega

I was scrolling through social media lately, and the movie One Battle After Another kept popping up. As expected from anything directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, it’s loved by many. But as I dove into the reviews, I noticed a frustrating pattern. A chorus of voices seemed locked in a binary loop: the film was either hailed as the undisputed best of the year or dismissed as overrated pretension, often seemingly just to oppose the popular opinion.

My observation, it turns out, has some real truth to it. In the rapid fire economy of social media, there’s a powerful incentive to be first and most extreme. A nuanced, measured take rarely generates the same engagement as a fiery declaration of genius or a scorching takedown. This dynamic can flatten film discourse into two tired camps: the unconditional fans and the contrarian haters, leaving little room for the interesting, complicated middle ground where most art actually resides.

But here’s the good news: this same digital landscape that amplifies the loudest takes is also creating a golden age for finding critics who genuinely speak to you. The traditional, one-size-fits-all critic is being supplemented and often surpassed by a new wave of voices using the tools of the internet to deepen the conversation.

“No longer confined to print or long-form articles, critics are now exploring interactive formats like video essays, live streams, and social media threads to engage directly with viewers. Others seek expertise in niche areas or specific genres to offer more unique perspectives on media for audiences. A few help audiences navigate the vast sea of content available across various streaming platforms.” -(Amanda Winstead)

More importantly, critics are now niching down. Instead of trying to authoritatively cover everything, many are cultivating specific expertise. You can find astounding critics dedicated solely to horror, to silent cinema, to Southeast Asian film, or to the intersection of politics and pop culture. This allows them to offer unique, deeply informed perspectives that a generalist cannot. They help you see connections and craft you might otherwise miss.

In an era of overwhelming choice across countless streaming platforms, the most valuable modern critic often acts less as a judge and more as a curator or guide. They don’t just tell you if something is “good” or “bad”; they help you understand what it is and whether it might resonate with your specific tastes. They map the vast sea of content, pointing you toward hidden gems and helping you navigate your own cinematic journey.

Thus, the next time the divisive hype cycle surrounding a movie like One Battle After Another wears you out, consider it an opportunity to curate your own critical feed. Find the podcast that feels like a fantastic film class, follow the Letterboxd writer whose taste consistently matches (or intriguingly challenges) your own, and look for the video essayist who transforms your perspective on editing. The loudest people in the room aren’t always the critics who will enhance your viewing. In the nooks and crannies of the internet, they are frequently the ones patiently constructing a more in-depth dialogue, just waiting to be discovered.

Winstead, Amanda. “Social Media’s Influence on Film Criticism: Balancing Professional Reviews and Audience Opinions – Film Inquiry.” Film Inquiry, 26 Sept. 2024, www.filminquiry.com/social-medias-influence-criticism/.