Christopher Nolan explains the biggest problem in film criticism today

Director Christopher Nolan has identified what he considers the "real problem" with amateur online film criticism: a fundamental misunderstanding of how cinematic narratives function. Nolan, currently enjoying success with his adaptation of Homer's "Odyssey," "Oppenheimer," believes many amateur critics wrongly assume characters must be inherently likable or that recognizing a narrative technique automatically devalues it.

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Often films are criticized for not having a character that must be sympathetic, so the authors change them or manipulate their character in various ways.

"Often films are criticized for not having a character that must be sympathetic, so the authors change them or manipulate their character in various ways," Nolan said in a podcast. He described this line of thinking as a "fundamental flaw" in film criticism. "Just because someone recognizes the way a story is told doesn't mean that process is automatically worthless," he stated.

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Just because someone recognizes the way a story is told doesn't mean that process is automatically worthless.

Nolan primarily directs his critique at amateur reviewers who share their opinions on social media. "I'm primarily thinking of amateur criticism. People believe that as soon as they recognize a certain narrative mechanism, they have proven that it is worthless," he explained. He believes this perspective overlooks the craft and intentionality behind filmmaking.

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I'm primarily thinking of amateur criticism. People believe that as soon as they recognize a certain narrative mechanism, they have proven that it is worthless.

However, Nolan conceded that certain film patterns can become overly predictable, leading to audience fatigue. "This can be true for individual elements. The language of film develops precisely because of this. When a formula becomes too familiar to the audience, it has to change," he admitted. He stressed that filmmakers utilize and build upon a "shared cinematic language" because they understand that audiences have seen many films and comprehend its workings.

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This can be true for individual elements. The language of film develops precisely because of this. When a formula becomes too familiar to the audience, it has to change.