Zack Snyder Reflects On The Polarizing Reception Of Batman V Superman

Zack Snyder Reflects On The Negative Reception Of Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice And The Reasons Behind Its Polarizing Reception.

By Amitabh Mukherji
May 10,2023
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When Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was released in 2016, it received poor reviews. As of writing, the film has a 29% critic approval rating and a 63% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Some critics described the DC sequel as “painful to watch” and one with a “nonsensical plot.” Moreover, fans bashed some of the movie’s casting choices, such as Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor.

Snyder On Batman v Superman’s Bad Reviews

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During a Q&A at Zack Snyder’s Full Circle charity event, Snyder himself reflected on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s bad reviews. When the moderator pointed out that Snyder created “so many layers” in the sequel’s storytelling, the visionary filmmaker said that he felt that it is the main reason why it caused Dawn of Justice to be “so polarizing.” Snyder admits that he delivered a superhero film that the viewers “really need to pay attention to,” admitting that it was “not cool” for the audience.

Former Warner Bros. executive Greg Silverman previously agreed with a tweet claiming that the lack of acclaim for Snyder’s DC films is actually due to critics’ view of Snyder. In his tweet, Silverman expressed that “because [Snyder] is a decent approachable humble human, he didn’t fit the mold of an auteur.”

Snyder’s Future In Superhero Movies

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Zack Snyder’s latest comments about Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s negative reviews suggest that he is at peace with the fact that the sequel received such criticism. It is no question that Snyder’s superhero movies (not just Dawn of Justice) have been incredibly divisive. Similar to Batman v Superman, Man of Steel and his version of Justice League received mixed reviews from fans and critics.

The director’s loyal fanbase tends to make things interesting, especially now that the SnyderVerse campaign is in full swing. However, Snyder’s style and approach are not ideal for general audiences. At this point, it is unknown if Zack Snyder will return to DC after the polarizing response to his movies. Given that Snyder is also busy with his new Rebel Moon franchise for Netflix, a potential return to superhero land could be further down the line.

The negative reviews of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice caused Snyder to reflect on the film’s multiple layers of storytelling, admitting that it required the audience’s full attention. Snyder’s unique directing style and visual language have a loyal fanbase, but it may not be ideal for general audiences. While Snyder’s DC movies have always been a main topic of conversation for his diehard fans, it remains to be seen if he will return to the superhero genre in the future.