The article critiques the extreme reactions of dedicated fans toward media, specifically James Gunn's upcoming Superman project. It highlights the troubling trend of fanatical behavior among audiences who see themselves as having authority over the works they consume. This shift reflects a culture where critics feel justified in their harsh judgments, even before releases, prompting creators to defend their choices vigorously. The writer also shares their skepticism towards interpretations of Superman, noting the difficulties in portraying a character of such immense power without diminishing his essence.
There's little that can spoil a game, film, book, or show more than its loudest fans. I'm reminded of this by the utterly bizarre reaction to the most recent Superman TV spot.
These inverted parasocial relationships, where the audience believes itself in authority over the subject, are having a grim effect on culture.
We've reached a position where a director is frantically defending himself against an onslaught of wildly inaccurate and frankly concerning criticism against those who believe themselves in charge of how an unreleased film is supposed to be.
I dislike how people making films or TV shows never seem to know how to cope with this specific character, seeing his innate, all-powerful nature as an issue that needs to be removed.
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