Taika Waititi drew criticism after posting on Instagram about the reviews for “Klara and the Sun,” his new film based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel. The director’s post ridiculed critics and described them as irrelevant and out of touch, while pointing to the gap between the film’s audience and critics’ scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
Waititi wrote that he had not read reviews aimed at him or his peers in nearly 15 years, but said he listened to audiences. He suggested that critics had become reviewers because they had failed to achieve their ambitions as artists, and also took aim at those who disliked his earlier film “Jojo Rabbit.” The post was later edited, according to the essay examining it.
The commentary argues that the post reflects a broader shift in how filmmakers address criticism online. Rather than engaging with individual reviewers, artists increasingly frame critics as a single, disconnected group opposed to audiences. The writer says this dynamic is encouraged by a digital environment where public criticism can feel personal and hostile, leading some high-profile figures to dismiss critics altogether.
The essay also contrasts the current relationship with earlier, more direct disputes between filmmakers and reviewers, citing past clashes involving Vincent Gallo and Roger Ebert, Uwe Boll, and Pauline Kael. It argues that critics once held a more prominent cultural position, while arts journalism today is often reduced to scores and promotional talking points.
The writer says the power imbalance is central to why Waititi’s comments struck a nerve: critics have limited influence and financial security, while successful directors can reach large audiences directly. The essay focuses on the public response to the post rather than assessing “Klara and the Sun,” which its author says they have not seen.
Sources: IndieWire.