Decoding the Mystery of Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Why Sometimes a Movie Can Receive 20% Fresh but 90% Audience Love

Have you ever stumbled upon a movie with a meager 20% score on Rotten Tomatoes, only to find that nearly 90% of the audience loved it? This discrepancy might leave you scratching your head. In this article, we will dive into the world of movie ratings and explore the factors that contribute to this puzzling phenomenon. Whether you’re a critic or aAverageJoe film enthusiast, you're about to get an eye-opening journey into the complex world of movie reviews.

Rotten Tomatoes: A World of Biased Reviews

Rotten Tomatoes, a popular online movie rating platform, has long been a subject of debate among movie enthusiasts. Some argue that the platform's user ratings are worthless due to their self-selection bias. Let's break down why.

Two Types of Movie Reviewers: There are two distinct groups of people who leave movie ratings on Rotten Tomatoes:

Proactive reviewers: These individuals watch films regularly and share their opinions on various platforms, aiming for an accurate representation of an average audience response. Strategic reviewers: These are often determined to manipulate the score in a specific direction, often opposing the general public and critics' consensus.

While these two types of reviewers can be found on IMDB, the skew in Rotten Tomatoes seems to favor the strategic reviewers. This is due to the platform's accessibility and the limited authority it commands compared to more established review platforms.

The Discrepancy Between Critics and Audiences

The differences between critic and audience scores can be attributed to the starkly different approaches these two groups take in evaluating movies. Critics evaluate movies professionally, seeing them for free as part of their job and irrespective of personal interest, while the general audience pays for and selects films that interest them.

Professional Critics vs. Average Audiences:

Critics: Evaluate movies across the board, regardless of genre or popularity. Avoid films solely based on attributes that they oppose, such as excessive violence in action movies or nudity in porn. Genuinely appreciate films for their artistic merit even if it goes against mainstream popularity. Audience Members: Select and watch specific movies based on their preferences. Relate deeply to the content that aligns with their own tastes, whether that be strong action sequences, emotive drama, or irreverent comedy. Do not shy away from controversial or polarizing content.

This fundamental difference in perspectives leads to vastly different ratings and reviews. A critic might see a horror movie as overly scary, but to a casual moviegoer, this could be seen as exactly what they were looking for in the genre. Critics may praise an "artsy and pretentious" film, which falls outside the favor of average audiences.

The Case of Dave Chappelle: A Paradoxical Example

Let's take a closer look at a specific instance that adds another layer of complexity to the rating discrepancies: Dave Chappelle's stand-up special Sticks Stones. This 2019 release garnered a 20% score on Rotten Tomatoes, largely due to the "non-politically correct" nature of the content. However, audience ratings soared to 90%. This highly polarizing tone makes it a prime example of how subjective movie preferences can lead to divergent ratings.

Is the content well-received? To some, it is brutally honest and raw, resonating deeply with audiences. To others, it's offensive and unnecessary in the age of political correctness. This stark contrast in opinions is precisely why movies are so subjective and why Rotten Tomatoes and similar platforms can be so misleading.

Conclusion

Understanding the disparity between critic and audience scores is key to interpreting movie ratings accurately. While professional critics see a wide array of films, the average moviegoer tends to choose content based on personal preference and interest. This fundamental difference in perspective can result in highly polarized scores.

So the next time you encounter a film with a controversial rating, consider the context of its reception: is it a critic or the general audience? The ratings are a reflection of the diverse and subjective tastes of viewers, and that’s what makes them such a fascinating part of the movie-watching experience.