One of 2022's most anticipated movies was Blonde, though it was also one of the most controversial. Various elements in the Marilyn Monroe biopic drew loads of criticism from viewers and critics alike, and this has been reflected in awards season. Ironically, this makes it very similar to a 2019 comic book movie with a similar reception.
Joker was lauded by audiences and critics, but it still received a nomination from the increasingly disliked Razzies for supposed "danger to the public." The same happened to Blonde, with its lead actress getting praised in spite of the controversy. Here's how both films represent the divide between critics and audiences.
2019's Joker Was a Controversial Auteur Film
The 2019 Joker film had a lot going against it, namely by virtue of the fact that it was a movie based on Batman's greatest foe -- all while being otherwise removed from anything comic book-related. Nevertheless, this allowed it to transcend comic book and superhero movies, with the gritty crime drama and Joaquin Phoenix's now iconic take on the Clown Prince of Crime becoming huge hits among moviegoers. It also made absolute bank at the box office, even without releases in major regions such as China. That was also despite a rather insidious narrative running against it in the media.
News outlets lambasted the film for a supposed threat it posed to public safety. That reached a nadir when the Razzies nominated it for Worst Reckless Disregard for Human Life and Public Property, which is disingenuous given the movie's actual content. It would end up losing in this category to a Rambo movie that was admittedly far more violent. However, the nomination was still rather jarring, given how the film was perceived by legions of viewers. Such a disconnect can now be seen again with the awards for the equally contentious Blonde.
Blonde Was Hated by Many - But Its Lead Actress Wasn't
Blonde was nominated for not one but several Razzie categories, including two selections for "Worst Screen Couple." One of these "romantic" duos involved what was easily one of the movie's most notorious scenes, the likes of which involved a U.S. president. At the same time, lead actress Ana de Armas received an Oscar nomination for her performance as Marilyn Monroe, showing that not all was bad about the movie.
Such a landmark performance was universally praised, even if most of the other elements in Blonde were less than well-received. A version of the same thing happened to Joker, with its controversial elements living alongside a film that was otherwise well-liked. It shows audiences and critics rarely agree, and positive reception can't protect from certain things being raked over the coals. Likewise, no matter how hated and deserving of Razzies a movie may be, there might be a performance or another aspect that everyone can agree is incredible.