As a fan of Star Wars, DC Comics, and as I am starting to get into Game of Thrones, I am saddened to see how many fans constantly rip into the content. It’s getting to the point where I wonder if they even like these franchises anymore, and it makes enjoying them so difficult.

Now, this is an opinion piece, but I don’t think it’s unfounded. Every time Star Wars drops a new series, and every discussion I see about new comic runs is absolutely full of ‘fans’ denouncing each new thing. To be perfectly honest, it is exhausting. I am well aware that not everything is going to please everyone, but its so sad to watch people tear these things apart so quickly and completely. It ruins the experience of enjoying the content, and often leaves me wondering if my opinions are somehow incorrect. I believe in the subjectivity of art, but it’s hard to think of things in a critical lens while everyone around you is screaming, ‘IT SUCKS!’

The weekly releases of the Acolyte have been so unfortunate as people absolutely bash the show. I personally haven’t had many issues with the show, and I’ve enjoyed seeing a different part of Star Wars history. Admittedly I haven’t read any of the old High Republic books and I’m not a major fan of this time period, so I can’t speak to the ways that bigger fans see it. However I have enjoyed experiencing the Jedi in a different way, and seeing more of the universe. The acting was good, the fight choreography was amazing, and I enjoyed the more grey perspective on the Jedi. Seeing the Jedi in this light is not new either, as in the Clone Wars and prequel trilogy they weren’t exactly perfect, which makes sense because funnily enough, no one is!

Of course, I can completely understand the pain of seeing something that I love totally butchered (see Snyder’s Batman vs. Superman—I will never get over how he got rid of everything that made these characters good). However, as frustrating as it can be, not everything is for us individually. I know, crazy. As a comic-book fan, there are many storylines or examples where characters that I love make decisions that I don’t agree with. But as I said, I can recognise that these aren’t for me and let fans of them enjoy it without forcing my dislike upon them—even if it pains me.

In general, I do wish that people would be able to recognise this and not bash the things that aren’t for them. Opinions on art are all going to be subjective, but I do wish people would be a little more reasonable with them. Try to present a more balanced perspective than just ‘I love it more than anything’ or ‘this is the worst ever’.

I also think that the constant fan-bashing only scares studios and creators. They fear trying new things or stepping out of the box because fans are so brutal that they rip it apart, sometimes before the movie or series is even completed (like how fans have already become divided about the costume in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film).

Unfortunately, I think this is why many films coming out nowadays are beginning to follow a ‘Marvel’ formula, as creators fear exploring new and experimental ideas. Not to say everything is terrible, just that there is perhaps less variety. I also fear that this often leads to the cancellation of shows too as it puts too much pressure on writers to get it ‘perfect’ early on, rather than giving characters the time they need to progress realistically.

I see this most of all with House of the Dragon at the moment. I am new to the story and the world of Game of Thrones, but I understand this new series is adapting part of the history recorded in the book Fire and Blood by George R.R. Martin. Many fans of the book have taken to the internet to voice their criticisms, sharing how the show is a complete mess and utterly awful. Now, once again, I am enjoying it for now, and while there are some gripes, overall I find it decent. I’m also not going to judge it entirely when there are only a few episodes out but you know, to eac their own.

It’s sad to see people constantly ruining things for everyone else, and then making posts asking ‘is anyone else hating [insert any show, book or movie here] or is it just me?’ Passion about art is wonderful, utter viciousness towards a project is less so.

Anyway, this post was a little more on the opinion side, so its not as organised or researched as normal, but I would love to hear from you about your thoughts on this topic. Have you experienced the same sort of vitriol during your time online or have you had more pleasant experiences? Are there any franchises that were almost ruined for you by ‘fans’ tearing it to shreds?