Emma Roberts, star of the Sony Spider-Man Universe film “Madame Web,” has spoken out about the impact of internet meme culture on the movie’s reception. In a recent interview with Variety, Roberts expressed her disappointment with how online trolling and joke-making affected the film’s potential success.
Roberts, who played Mary Parker in the movie, stated, “If it wasn’t for internet culture and everything being made into a joke, I think that the reception would’ve been different. And that’s what bums me out about a lot of stuff, even stuff that I’ve done, is people just make such a joke out of everything now.”
The actress defended the film, saying she personally enjoyed it and praised the work of director S.J. Clarkson and her co-stars. Roberts emphasized the unpredictable nature of the film industry, noting that sometimes unexpected projects become hits while others fall short despite their quality.
“Madame Web,” which also starred Dakota Johnson as the titular character, faced significant criticism and underperformed at the box office. However, the film found a second life on Netflix, where it gained popularity among streaming audiences.
Roberts’ comments highlight a growing concern in the entertainment industry about the impact of internet meme culture on film reception. She suggested that the constant drive to turn everything into a joke online can overshadow a movie’s merits and unfairly influence its success.
The actress also expressed her resilience in the face of negative reactions, stating, “I’m not intimidated by failure, and I’m not intimidated by people having negative thoughts about something.”
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As Sony continues to expand its Spider-Man Universe with upcoming releases like “Venom: The Last Dance” and “Kraven the Hunter,” the studio faces the challenge of overcoming online skepticism and establishing a stronger connection with audiences outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“Madame Web” is currently available to stream on Netflix, where it has found a more receptive audience despite mixed critical reviews.
