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Marvel Studios’ ‘Agatha All Along,’ their last show of 2024, didn’t escape the recent trend of online review-bombing. Despite a strong start and positive early reviews, the show quickly became the target of harsh ratings on IMDb. After just three episodes, a noticeable shift occurred in audience reviews. With over 13,000 ratings logged, more than 32% rated it a perfect 10, yet nearly 19% gave it the lowest score, a 1, dragging its average down to 6.7.
The content of the few 1-star written reviews labeled the series as ‘woke,’ ‘childish,’ and criticized its writing as ‘amateurish.’ This sentiment echoes the criticism faced by some of Marvel’s less celebrated outputs on Disney+.
The series, a follow-up to ‘WandaVision,’ revisits Kathryn Hahn’s portrayal of the dark witch with a cast of mainly returning characters. It initially seemed to continue Marvel’s success streak, supported by a solid 83% on Rotten Tomatoes at the month’s end. However, some viewers disagreed vehemently.
‘Agatha All Along’ has drawn particular ire for its progressive themes, especially its portrayal of Joe Locke’s character as queer. This inclusion has made the show a target, similar to past MCU projects like ‘Eternals,’ which faced backlash for showcasing Marvel’s first gay kiss, and ‘Ms. Marvel,’ which featured prominent female leads. Both aspects have provoked certain viewer segments into negative reviewing practices before fully viewing the content.
Marvel has often been at the forefront of diversifying its character lineup across its vast cinematic universe, touching on a range of genres and themes. Not every project will resonate with all viewers, which is typical for a franchise as expansive as the MCU. Despite the backlash, the studio continues to highlight diverse characters and stories, appealing to a broad audience while facing the challenges of varied viewer expectations.
With new episodes of ‘Agatha All Along’ releasing every Wednesday on Disney+ at 6 p.m. PT, the series provides an ongoing narrative that, while divisive, plays a crucial role in the evolving landscape of superhero cinema. As fans, it’s important we maintain fair and honest feedback, supporting diversity in storytelling rather than diminishing it through unwarranted criticism.