Andy Muschietti Reflects on The Flash Backlash: “People Just Love to Jump on Bandwagons”

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Director Andy Muschietti recently discussed the disappointing response to his 2023 film, *The Flash*. In an interview with The Playlist, he described the experience as difficult but also a valuable learning opportunity.

The 2023 film *The Flash* features Ezra Miller as Barry Allen, a superhero with super speed who goes back in time to try and save his mother.

The film marked Michael Keaton’s return to the role of Batman after a long hiatus, introduced Sasha Calle as Supergirl, and brought back Michael Shannon as General Zod. Despite having a talented cast and a lot of publicity, the movie didn’t perform as well as expected financially, earning approximately $271 million globally against a production budget exceeding $200 million.

Although reviewers praised the movie’s funny moments and exciting action, many felt let down by the special effects and how the story concluded. Viewers also appeared split in their opinions, and the director, Muschietti, believes online criticism amplified that negative reaction.

Muschietti noted that many people missed key details. He explained that nowadays, people often prefer to discuss and follow trends without fully understanding the situation, and their anger sometimes stems from issues completely separate from what they’re criticizing.

The director expressed his disappointment with how things turned out, particularly because the film’s release was unfortunately overshadowed by the off-screen issues involving its star, Ezra Miller. He felt these problems led to viewers forming opinions about the movie without actually seeing it.

Muschietti acknowledged the well-publicized issues surrounding Ezra Miller, stating, “There was definitely a publicity crisis, and I’m not denying that.” However, he also expressed strong support for the film itself, adding, “We love the movie and wholeheartedly recommend it.”

Even though the film faced criticism and didn’t perform well at the box office, Muschietti expressed his pride and thanked Warner Bros. for their continued support during a challenging time. He explained that the studio could have easily pulled back due to the negative publicity, but instead, they fully committed to the project, as did everyone involved.

Despite the criticism, the director still enjoys watching his movie. He explained, “We poured our hearts and souls into making it, and I recently re-watched it and loved it all over again.”

Despite The Flash not performing as well as hoped, director Muschietti remains proud of the film and the team that created it.

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2025-10-17 16:38