Arts·Commotion

Has the social media influencer killed the art of critical film reviews?

These days, professional film critics are taking a back seat to influencers who preview and rave about movies before their release date. Commotion host Elamin Abdelmahmoud speaks with film critic Manuela Lazic about what this new dynamic means for moviegoers.

Actor Manuela Lazic weighs in on the impact of influencers acting as film critics

The complex is operated by Cinema Park at the Metropolis Shopping and Entertainment Mall in Moscow, Russia, on Saturday, May 18, 2013. Russian box-office revenue jumped 120 percent in 2008-2012 as 3D releases inflated ticket prices and the number of modern screens doubled to more than 3,100, according to Nevafilm Research in St. Petersburg, which tracks the industry. Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg
Audience members wear 3D spectacles to watch a movie at the Cinema Park multiscreen theatre. (Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg)

The influence of a movie review from a critic has the potential to make or break a film.

However, a new wave of social media influencers is occupying space in the film and TV review industry. As their voices gain the attention of wider audiences, it's challenging the traditional delivery of film criticism.

Manuela Lazic is a film critic and an actor who recently wrote about the decline of formal film criticism for The Guardian. She tells host Elamin Abdelmahmoud about why she believes the new dynamic means moviegoers are missing out.

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.


Interview with Manuela Lazic produced by Jessica Low.