Despite breaking box office records with a $220 million opening weekend, Star Wars: The Last Jedi has faced a wave of criticism from fans on social media. Many have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment, with some calling it 'the worst film' they have seen 'in ages' and a 'slap in the face to the history of Star Wars'.
The film, directed by Rian Johnson, has a 93% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes but only 56% from audiences. Fans have criticised poor writing, lack of character development, and plot holes. Some have compared it unfavourably to the prequel The Phantom Menace, while others blame Disney for ruining the franchise since acquiring LucasFilm in 2014.
Specific scenes that drew ire include General Leia floating through space, described as a 'Mary Poppins moment', and the death of Snoke without revealing his backstory. The Hollywood Reporter suggests that the backlash may stem from unmet fan theories, such as the identity of Rey's parents or Snoke's origins, which were not realised in the film.
One fan gave the movie a half-star rating, calling it 'a compete betrayal and disrespect of the characters every Star Wars fan grew up loving'. The discrepancy between critical and audience reception has sparked debate about the impact of pre-release speculation on fan expectations.
