Variety Says New Movies And Shows Are Failing Because Of “Toxic Fandoms”—But Is That Really The Problem?

The article's claims were immediately hit with backlash, with many saying that Variety's accusation is a smokescreen to cover up a larger issue: it’s not the fans who are toxic, but rather the blatant disregard for coherent storytelling and the destruction of beloved intellectual properties (IPs) that is driving people away.

The real "toxicity" lies in gaslighting the audience into believing they’re the problem when, in fact, they’re the ones trying to preserve the integrity of the stories they love.

Let’s take The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power as a prime example. Amazon’s attempt to adapt J.R.R. Tolkien’s intricate world into a high-budget TV series was met with harsh criticism—not because fans are inherently toxic, but because the writers fundamentally misunderstood and disrespected the source material.

Tolkien's works are more than just fantasy stories; they are meticulously crafted worlds with rich history, complex characters, and deeply rooted themes. Fans who have spent years—sometimes decades—immersed in Middle-earth know this intimately. So when Prime Video took creative liberties that undermined the essence of Tolkien’s work, the backlash was inevitable.

Star Wars has also struggled in recent years with its divisive sequel trilogy, and Doctor Who faced backlash for significant changes to its lore. In both cases, fan criticism was often dismissed as coming from toxic, regressive viewers who simply couldn’t handle change. But the real issue was deeper than that—when you fundamentally alter the rules of a universe without considering the impact on its existing mythology, fans notice, and they care. They aren’t against innovation or progress; they just want it to make sense within the framework of the story they’ve come to know and love.

Yet, instead of acknowledging the real issue—that these adaptations often betray the core of the original stories—Variety and other media outlets point fingers at the fans, labeling them as "toxic" for daring to voice their frustration. Audiences are being told that their resistance to poorly written, ideologically driven narratives is a reflection of their own narrow-mindedness, when in fact, it’s a sign that they care about storytelling and creative authenticity.

To be clear, fandoms have always been vocal, and sometimes this can turn ugly. But the narrative that all fan criticism is rooted in "bigotry" is manipulative. The vast majority of fans want nothing more than to see their favorite characters, worlds, and stories done justice. It’s no coincidence that faithful adaptations, even in the face of modern pressures to diversify or update for new audiences, tend to succeed.

Look at the success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which embraced nostalgia and respected the source material, or Top Gun: Maverick, which captured the spirit of the original without pandering to progressive political trends. These films resonated with both longtime fans and newcomers because they struck the delicate balance of respecting the past while making room for new elements.

But what we’re seeing now with many woke adaptations is an inversion of that formula. Instead of trying to tell a compelling story, many screenwriters seem more interested in pushing ideological messages, even at the expense of the plot. Characters are flattened into symbols, and any sense of nuance is lost. This isn't just a critique from one political side either; it’s a universal reaction to bad storytelling.

What makes this even more frustrating for fans is the sense that their loyalty is being used against them. These major studios and streaming platforms bank on the built-in audiences that come with popular IPs, expecting people to show up regardless of the quality. But when the final product is riddled with plot holes, wooden dialogue, and deviations from the core themes of the original, fans feel betrayed. And when they voice that frustration, instead of being listened to, they’re dismissed as being part of some toxic fringe.

This disconnect between creators and audiences is growing, and it’s not just happening in the fantasy or superhero genres. Across the board, we’re seeing major franchises suffer because the people in charge don’t seem to respect the worlds they’re working with—or worse, they believe they can reinvent them from scratch and coast on the goodwill of past successes.

So when Variety blames "toxic fandoms" for the failure of woke shows and movies, it’s missing the point. Fans are passionate, and their criticisms come from a place of love for the material, not hate for progress or inclusion. What these media outlets should be asking is why these stories are failing to resonate. The answer is simple: audiences can tell when something is being made for the sake of ticking boxes rather than for the sake of telling a great story.

Until creators learn to respect the intelligence of their audiences and the integrity of the IPs they are working with, this cycle will continue. Fans aren’t toxic for wanting coherent plots, consistent characters, and respect for the worlds they love. The sooner Hollywood stops gaslighting them and starts listening, the better off everyone will be.

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