Are Film Critics Always Fair?

Fairness sounds good in theory. Like something critics should strive for. But in the world of film criticism, “fair” isn’t always the point,and maybe it doesn’t need to be.

 

A film critic isn’t there to give out stars like a teacher grading homework. They’re reacting, analyzing, connecting what they’ve seen to everything else they’ve ever watched or read. That means their take is shaped by context and what the film is trying to be, what it could have been, what it reminds them of, and how it lands in the current cultural moment.

 

To a filmmaker, that might feel unfair. Even to an audience. Maybe a silly comedy made you laugh your guts out, but the critic calls it “uninspired and lazy” Or maybe a slow indie gets five glowing paragraphs, but you walked out bored. Critics and audiences often live in different worlds,one built on references, history, and theory the other built on vibes and free time. That disconnect causes a lot of friction.

 

There’s also taste. Every critic has it, and none are above it. What one person sees as a bold experiment, another might call a pretentious mess. That’s normal. But it becomes a problem when personal dislike is disguised as objective failure. Or worse,when critics talk down to audiences for liking something fun or “lowbrow.” That’s not a thoughtful critique. That’s  definitely gatekeeping.

 

Still, being fair doesn’t mean blindly agreeing with the masses either. Critics shouldn’t be cheerleaders. If a film is lazy, harmful, or riding on nostalgia , someone should say it,even if it’s making money. The job is to look at the work honestly, not to protect anyone’s feelings.

 

Take Jawan, for example. It thrilled fans with action, emotion, and Shah Rukh Khan’s heavenly presence. Some critics praised it for being a mass entertainment story,others dismissed it as formulaic. Same movie, different takes.

 

Or look at La La Land. Loved by many, hated by some. Some called it magical but  others found overrated. Both views exist for a reason. Both are valid in their own way.

 

Are critics always fair? No. They’re human. They have biases and off days. Some chase controversy for clicks. But the best ones,the ones worth reading,aren’t trying to be “fair” like a referee. They’re trying to be honest. Clear about what worked, what didn’t, and why.

 

That honesty can feel generous, harsh, or just totally different from how you felt. And that’s the point. A good review doesn’t end the conversation,it starts one.

 

Movies are personal. What hits home for one person might miss completely for someone else. So maybe fairness isn’t the goal.

 

By Aditi Sawarkar