Film critic Owen Gleiberman has become the target of a wave of online criticism and what some are calling a smear campaign after publishing a negative review of the recently released film “Supergirl.” The film, which stars Milly Alcock, has underperformed at the box office, earning $65.5 million worldwide in its first four days against a $170 million budget, making its break-even point of $295 million unlikely.
Gleiberman’s review, published on June 24, described the screenplay as “a comic-book movie with the worst script I can remember” and characterized Alcock as “Kristy McNichol crossed with the Feral Kid from ‘The Road Warrior’ in oversize Penny Lane sunglasses.” This assessment prompted a series of articles across various blogs that questioned Gleiberman’s review, with some headlines suggesting sexism or personal attacks.
Rumors have circulated that individuals associated with Alcock’s team may have initiated some of the critical pieces. One such piece reportedly focused on Gleiberman’s age and suggested he has a reputation for being out of touch, while another noted that its author had previously taken an all-expenses-paid trip to the “Supergirl” set in London, raising questions about objectivity.
A representative for Alcock has denied these allegations, stating, "Absolutely not true!!!" Variety has also issued a statement of support for Gleiberman, affirming his independent point of view.
The controversy surrounding Gleiberman’s review comes at a time of heightened tension for film critics. In late June, actress Paget Brewster apologized after posting an aggressive comment on X, formerly Twitter, directed at a ScreenRant writer about a critical review of “Criminal Minds.” She initially wrote, “You don’t know that bad pics and bad reviews can lead to 350 people losing their jobs. Sell vintage. Work at a shelter. Do something better than what you do now. Because right now you suck,” before deleting the post and issuing an apology.
Similarly, “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan has dismissed critical reviews with a blunt statement, and actor Seth Rogen has suggested critics should be more mindful of the impact their words have on creators.
The discourse highlights a broader debate about the role and reception of film criticism in the current media landscape, particularly when juxtaposed with the commercial performance of major film releases.