Despite strong viewership and continued high critical acclaim—maintaining a 96% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes—HBO's hit series "The Last of Us" Season 2 has seen its audience score plummet rapidly. In just a few days, the score dropped from 55% to 53%, sparking widespread concern among viewers and critics about potential "review bombing."
Review bombing refers to a coordinated effort by a group of viewers, often deeply dissatisfied with a series or film, to deliberately flood review websites with low scores to manipulate the overall rating. The primary reason for the suspected review bombing of "The Last of Us" Season 2 is believed to stem from some original game fans' discontent with Bella Ramsey's portrayal of the protagonist, Ellie. Notably, this isn't the first time female characters or actors have faced such targeted negative review campaigns.
Audience reactions and specific complaints were widely shared online:
More user feedback highlighted concerns about casting and character portrayal:
This pattern of targeted attacks is not new. Past instances include Brie Larson for "Captain Marvel," Halle Bailey for the live-action "The Little Mermaid," and Rachel Zegler, the star of this year's live-action "Snow White." These actresses and their films became targets of review bombing due to public stances or casting controversies. Such deliberate actions not only distort rating mechanisms but also exert significant pressure on film and television productions and their performers.
"The Last of Us" is co-created by original game visionary Neil Druckmann and "Chernobyl" director Craig Mazin. The series continues the game's acclaimed narrative, exploring complex moral dilemmas and human nature, earning widespread praise.
via： Collider