In the early days of cinema, movie ratings were basic—thumBs up or thumbs down, or perhaps a star rating to convey a subjective overview. Fast forward to today, and we have Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer, IMDb user scores, and Metacritic scores, to name a few. But even more interestingly, the TV show 'Black Mirror' offers an eerily accurate foreshadowing of our current culture of ratings in its episode 'Fifteen Million Merits.'
Rotten Tomatoes has become a dominant force in movie and TV ratings, providing an aggregated score that melds critics' reviews with audience reactions. The 'Certified Fresh' label has both movie studios cheering and trembling. Yet, it’s not without controversy. Critics argue that this binary system oversimplifies complex opinions. A movie might garner a high rating but still be divisive among its audience.
On IMDb, the user ratings provide another layer of complexity, allowing anyone to rate a film on a scale from 1 to 10. This democratizes the rating process but also introduces biases. Studios have been known to game the system by employing so-called 'rating farms' to boost scores artificially. This is where 'Black Mirror’s' 'Fifteen Million Merits' predicted our world so accurately.
In the episode, societal currency is based on ratings and merits. People are judged and even granted opportunities based on their ratings. This mirrors our current phenomena where social media influencers, YouTubers, and movie stars thrive or falter based on their digital reputation. It’s a world where stars like Jennifer Lawrence or Timothée Chalamet can skyrocket to fame due to the buzz around their 'Hollywood scores'—unconsciously influenced by many of the same mechanisms foretold in 'Fifteen Million Merits.'
Variety highlighted how this culture of ratings has significantly affected Hollywood's old guard, changing how and when movies are released. For instance, studios now aim to release their most critically acclaimed films during awards season, counting on good Rotten Tomatoes scores to build momentum. There’s a meticulous calculation involved—akin to managing a stock portfolio.
Meanwhile, Collider has noted that audiences are more discerning. They trust trusted brands or voices in the industry to guide their viewing habits. Influencers and critics with large followings can often sway public opinion, drawing comparisons to the ‘merit accumulators’ in 'Black Mirror.' An endorsement from these heavyweights can make or break a film’s reputation overnight.
Screenrant has examined the dark side of this culture, exploring cases where films with high critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes bombed at the box office and vice versa. This discrepancy often sparks debates about whether critics are out of touch with the general public. The disparity points to a growing divide in taste, underscoring the subjective nature of art and entertainment.
IndieWire offers another angle, discussing how indie films have thrived in this new environment. Lesser-known directors and films can gain massive traction if they garner favorable reviews and ratings on these platforms. A once unheard-of director can become an overnight sensation following a significant film festival win boosted by rave reviews on Rotten Tomatoes or IMDb.
What does this mean for future filmmakers and viewers? The rating culture is shaping not only what gets made but also which stories get told. Diverse and unique voices find platforms, but at a price—the constant scrutiny of the digitally savvy audience. The 'Black Mirror' episode serves as a cautionary tale, but it also offers hope that awareness can balance the scales.
In conclusion, while the episode 'Fifteen Million Merits' may still remain a work of fiction, its influence and accuracy in predicting our current reality is undeniable. As Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, and other rating platforms continue to shape our culture, it's essential to remember that these scores are just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Engaging deeply with media and forming our own nuanced opinions can ensure that we don’t become mere subjects of a meritocratic dystopia.
The evolution of movie ratings: How Black Mirror’s episode 'Fifteen Million Merits' predicted our current culture
