The landscape of film criticism is changing fast, particularly with the new trend of zero-star reviews. Once viewed as a freak occurrence, this growing criticism has taken hold with an unexpected constituency. Virtually overnight, conversations erupted on its broader ramifications for the filmmaking landscape. The Guardian has published only 15 zero-star reviews throughout its history, with notable examples sparking outrage and debate among audiences and critics alike.
At least one of those examples is especially notorious, though—the 2001 pic Freddy Got Fingered, starring Tom Green. The author of the most recent review was somewhat traumatized by the experience of viewing it. They said it was “one of the most traumatic experiences of my life.” They subsequently proclaimed it not simply an awful Hollywood movie but “the 21st century’s worst cultural artefact.”
“Watching it was among the worst experiences of my life, up there with having a quarter of millimetre shaved off my upper molar without anaesthetic by an eccentric dentist when I was 15.” – The author of the article
In 2002, the writer awarded “Boat Trip,” featuring Cuba Gooding Jr., a historic zero-star rating, marking The Guardian’s first-ever zero-star review. In light of this precedent, the author has taken a look back at their past judgments. They have gone back to look again at “The Incredible Hulk” directed by Louis Letterier. The movie initially got a one-star review for being poorly acted. Annoyed by the experience, the author gave it a one-star rating, calling it the experience that “brought me to my knees in panic.”
The pattern held again with Eat Pray Love (2010), starring Julia Roberts. Even worse, this film was described an “interminable self-help spiritual journey” – it earned the second of two zero-star reviews. This proclivity towards summarily assigning zero stars is a good opportunity, then, to consider what these ratings mean within the practice of film criticism.
“What was the point? One is the worst. Isn’t it? If you give zero stars, why not give six stars at the other end? Or seven stars, as if you’re reviewing a luxury hotel in Dubai?” – The author of the article
Critics are wondering whether zero stars would be the new default in evaluations. This change will only result in much lower ratings in the years to come. Future predictions estimate that zero stars will be the new status quo. In answer, detractors might want to resort to counter-negative ratings, i.e. less than zero stars, or even use their imagination to go up to less than 38 or less than 39 stars.
These reviews turn into an engaging debate over the artistic merits of the film. In the process, they call into question what audiences should expect from film. There’s a lot going on, and critics are happily probing this new frontier. Zero-star ratings will undoubtedly have unforeseen effects on creators and consumers, yet their permanent implementation is presumably still in the works.