Agatha All Along is a recent miniseries from Marvel Studios that debuted on Disney+ on September 18, 2024. Created by Jac Schaeffer, it serves as a spinoff to the critically acclaimed WandaVision. The series centers around the character of Agatha Harkness, portrayed by Kathryn Hahn, who was introduced in WandaVision as a neighbor with a mysterious past.
The show explores her journey after the events of the original series, as Harkness attempts to regain her witch magic.
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Initially titled Agatha: House of Harkness, the series went through several name changes, including Agatha: Coven of Chaos and Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, with one humorous placeholder, Agatha: The Lying Witch with Great Wardrobe, used as part of a clever marketing strategy by Marvel Studios. Eventually, the title settled on Agatha All Along, a nod to the popular song from WandaVision.
Disney+ Show Faces Backlash From Haters
Fans are now noting a surge in negative reviews for Agatha All Along, commonly referred to as “review bombing.” This phenomenon occurs when a large group of users flood a title’s review section with low ratings, usually stemming from personal biases rather than actual content quality.
Several factors contribute to this backlash. Critics point to a perceived cultural shift within the MCU as the series features a predominantly female cast and embraces queer themes. A vocal segment of viewers, often labeled as the anti-“M-She-U” crowd, has taken issue with what they describe as “woke” storytelling.
Their claims suggest that the series prioritizes representation over engaging narratives, an argument frequently leveraged against other projects within the MCU — something already proven wrong in the first week of the show’s release.
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Instances of review bombing are not new in the realm of streaming series. For Agatha All Along, immediate one-star reviews on sites like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes surfaced only hours after the premiere, suggesting that these reviewers had not actually watched the episodes. Social media users have documented these negative scores, showcasing a pattern of targeted hostility against the series.
X/Twitter user @ScarletWitchUpdates, for instance, shared a call to action for fans to rate Agatha All Along, indicating that inactive accounts were responsible for the low scores. Other fans have shared their own positive experiences with the show, countering the narrative of dissatisfaction with messages of hope and creativity.
Scarlet Witch Updates: Please go rate #AgathaAllAlong on IMDb because it got review bombed.
Here: 🔗https://imdb.com/title/tt15571732/
Also Rotten Tomatoes: 🔗https://rottentomatoes.com/tv/agatha_all_alongMarvelous Gamer (in reply): When the show first dropped within the first hour, the 1 star numbers were in the high hundreds.
https://twitter.com/Mar_DC767620022/status/1840052925009178977
Moreover, the show’s cast has been vocal about the LGBTQ+ representation, which further fueled negative sentiment among detractors.
Review aggregate platforms have seen fluctuations in ratings as fans try to counteract the unfavorable reviews.
In stark contrast to the negative feedback, many die-hard fans have taken it upon themselves to rally support for Agatha All Along. The response from supporters has been spirited, with fans taking to social media to encourage others to rate the series positively. Influential fan accounts urged their followers to counter the low ratings created by detractors, stating that the backlash stems more from cultural and social conflicts than from the show’s actual quality.
Despite the controversy, Agatha All Along has reported impressive viewership numbers upon its release. The series garnered approximately 9.3 million views in just the first week, indicating a significant interest from audiences. However, these numbers were accompanied by fluctuating ratings across various platforms due to the review bombing campaign.
Critics have noted that the thematic elements intertwined with character development make for a compelling viewing experience, even as divisive opinions swirl around the show. As ratings stabilize, it remains clear that while some may dislike the approach Marvel has taken, many viewers appreciate the fresh direction Agatha All Along signifies for the franchise.
A Diverse Agatha All Along
One of the standout features of Agatha All Along is its focus on representation, particularly with its diverse cast and the portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes. With a story centered on Agatha’s journey and a blend of characters from varied backgrounds, the series celebrates found family.
The show also boasts a talented ensemble, including the obvious Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness, but also Joe Locke as Teen, Aubrey Plaza as Rio Vidal, Patti LuPone as Lilia Calderu, Ali Ahn as Alice Wu Gulliver, Debra Jo Rupp as Mrs Hart/Sharon Davis, and Sasheer Zamata as Jennifer Kale.
Under the guidance of showrunner Jac Schaeffer, known for her previous work on WandaVision, the production team aims to maintain the high standard of storytelling synonymous with Marvel’s releases. Their collaboration seeks not just to continue Agatha Harkness’ story but also to expand the overall universe in exciting new ways by exploring a more niche (yet still entertaining) side of the MCU.
As Agatha All Along continues to release episodes weekly, its trajectory in viewership may reshape public sentiment. Whether it can overcome the ongoing backlash and maintain a loyal fan base remains to be seen, but with the rate social media love for the series is steadily increasing as the weeks go by, the jury’s certainly not out yet.
Have you watched Agatha All Along? Share your thoughts on the review bombing attempts with us in the comments below!
Wasn’t as great as I was expecting, but its definitely worth watching and the casting is superb.