HBO's Watchmen has already received a substantial amount of critical praise. However, the aggregate audience scores have been less-than-stellar.
Judging by the audience versus critical ratings on sites like Rotten Tomatoes, it seems like Watchmen might be the latest comic book adaptation to be review bombed by angry fans. Despite sitting at a 93% Fresh rating from critics, the HBO miniseries is scored at 49% by audiences.
While there are a number of audience reviews that seem to voice genuine reservations and criticisms of the new show, many others are complaints about the show's perceived "politically correct" update for 2019. "Watchmen? More like Wokemen," one reviewer wrote. Another added, "This show is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Has nothing to do with Marvel or DC comics. Rather it's a show which attempts to further a flawed political liberal narrative about who the good and bad guys are in today's society."
This noticeable discrepancy between critical and audience responses isn't as stark as some recent comic book adaptations, like The CW's Batwoman. Review bomb campaigns usually accompany politically charged takes on classic comic book characters, regardless of whether or not the source material was itself politically divisive. Only time will tell if online audiences warm up to Watchmen in the coming weeks.
Developed by Damon Lindelof, HBO's Watchmen stars Jeremy Irons, Regina King, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Louis Gossett Jr., Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Tom Mison, James Wolk, Adelaide Clemens, Andrew Howard, Frances Fisher, Jacob Ming-Trent, Sara Vickers, Dylan Schombing, Lily Rose Smith and Adelynn Spoon. The series airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.