Since its theatrical debut last Friday, The Lord of the Rings star Andy Serkis‘ newest directorial effort, Animal Farm, has been met with negative reviews from critics. The movie was loosely based on George Orwell’s classic dystopian novella of the same name. Most critics have voiced out their disappointment over the new adaptation’s lack of […] The post Andy Serkis’ Animal Farm Movie Uses Terrible Reviews in Brilliant Marketing Stunt appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Since its theatrical debut last Friday, The Lord of the Rings star Andy Serkis‘ newest directorial effort, Animal Farm, has been met with negative reviews from critics. The movie was loosely based on George Orwell’s classic dystopian novella of the same name.
Most critics have voiced out their disappointment over the new adaptation’s lack of faithfulness to its beloved source material, describing it as an unhinged mess due to the changes it made to the original story. Peter Debruge of Variety has called the film “far too disorderly to substitute for the book,” while Tim Robey of the UK’s Daily Telegraph believed that the new movie makes the audience “feel trapped and punished through every phase of the story.”
Clearly, critics aren’t having the best time with the adaptation. But that doesn’t mean the film’s marketing team isn’t willing to flip the script on negative press with a cute twist.
How is Andy Serkis’ Animal Farm taking advantage of its bad reviews?
Because of the overwhelmingly negative reception, Animal Farm now holds a 24% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while its Popcornmeter score is higher at 62%. However, this hasn’t stopped Angel Studios from continuing to promote the star-filled animated movie.
In a cheeky meta marketing stunt on social media, the creative team used the movie’s latest negative reviews and low Tomatometer ratings to its advantage. In their post, the film’s main antagonist – the pig Napoleon – can be seen holding up a paintbrush. It implies that he had changed some of the negative reviews into positive ones by painting red over them.
This marketing stunt is a clever and playful way to demonstrate the book and the film’s themes of propaganda and misinformation. In the allegorical yarn, Napoleon is a dictator who manipulates the truth through spreading his propaganda to gain power, distort reality, and maintain control over other animals in a dystopian farm.
That’s why using Napoleon for this fun marketing strategy is a fitting and funny way to pique more people’s interest in the film. It not only turns the negative reception on its head, but it also conveys the movie’s themes of censorship and information control. Bad press can be manipulated into praise, and parents can use that to teach the film’s messaging. If nothing else, it’s audacious.
Animal Farm seemed primed for success, with the sort of star-studded cast that often attracts audiences to animated films. It features the voices of Seth Rogen as Napoleon, Glenn Close as Freida, Woody Harrelson as Boxer, Steve Buscemi as Mr. Whymper, Jim Parsons as Carl, Kathleen Turner as Benjamin, and several more. Yet so far, the film has only grossed around $3.3 million against a budget of around $35 million. It’s a brutal reception for something with this much cultural weight behind it.
But while the overall critical perception is negative, and the box office is stacked against it, there’s a chance a playful marketing stunt like this can encourage people to watch the movie. Whether or not that affects its overall reputation – or ever puts it on the same level as the original novel – is a different issue altogether.
The post Andy Serkis’ Animal Farm Movie Uses Terrible Reviews in Brilliant Marketing Stunt appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Neil Patrick Harris Is a Neo-Nazi in The Last Temptation of Becky First Look
Scott Adkins & Vinnie Jones Fight After a Heist Goes Wrong in Reckless Movie Trailer
The Odyssey Trailer Review: Christopher Nolan’s Epic Could Be His Best Movie
Masters of the Universe Movie: Fan-Favorite He-Man Character Gets Surprising First Look
You, Me & Tuscany Digital and Blu-ray Release Dates Set for Halle Bailey Movie
This A-List Actor Could Finally Win His First Emmy Award in 2026
LOTR Star Would Be a Great Choice for Harry Potter’s New Voldemort Actor
King of the Hill Season 15 Release Date Set, Poster & Plot Synopsis Revealed
Netflix Report Reveals Crazy Stat About Its Cancellation Trends
Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Movie Might Break Chris Pratt Film’s Netflix Record
The Boys Season 5: Prime Video Finale Scores Early Theatrical Release Date
Evil Dead Burn Returns to Horror Movie Franchise’s Roots in 1 Major Way
Beloved Horror Movie Franchise Returns in Unexpected Way
Dutton Ranch Trailer Previews Anticipated Kelly Reilly Yellowstone Sequel Show
Wuthering Heights Had to Feel ‘Wet, Sweating, or Dripping,’ Says Production Designer | Interview
Evil Dead Burn Trailer Sees a Demonic Family Reunite
Moon Knight: Why Oscar Isaac May Not Be Returning to the MCU Anytime Soon
This Comedy Is Looking Like a Sleeper Box Office Hit
Kevin Spacey Lands Lead Role in WW2 Drama After Sexual Assault Lawsuit
