Here’s a bold statement: The Flash was a film that divided audiences and critics alike, yet its director, Andy Muschietti, stands firmly behind it. But here’s where it gets controversial—despite early hype labeling it as “one of the greatest superhero movies ever made,” the film stumbled at the box office, raking in just $271.4 million globally and receiving mixed reviews. So, what happened? In a candid conversation with The Playlist, Muschietti addressed the film’s underperformance and the backlash it faced.
“A lot of people didn’t even watch it,” he pointed out. “But these days, it’s easy to jump on the hate bandwagon without knowing the full story. People get upset for reasons that often have nothing to do with the film itself.” Muschietti’s words shed light on a broader cultural trend: the tendency to criticize something we haven’t fully experienced. And this is the part most people miss—despite the challenges, he remains proud of the project. “We put our hearts into it, and I genuinely believe it’s a good movie,” he added. While he acknowledged the undeniable impact of the Ezra Miller controversy on the film’s reception, Muschietti emphasized, “We still love it, and we’d recommend it to anyone.”
At the time of its release, DC Studios was already under new leadership with James Gunn and Peter Safran steering the ship toward a revamped DC Universe. Yet, Muschietti highlighted the studio’s unwavering support for The Flash. “They could have easily backed out given the publicity issues, but they stood by us,” he said. “We all went all in.”
Personally, I never found The Flash to be a complete disaster. Yes, the CGI was jarring—I still can’t shake the feeling it wasn’t intentional—and the third act lacked the punch it needed. But Ezra Miller’s performance was undeniably committed, and seeing Michael Keaton reprise his role as Batman was a nostalgic thrill. Speaking of Batman, Muschietti isn’t done with the DC Universe just yet. He’s still attached to direct The Brave and the Bold, though progress has been slow. Gunn recently teased that they’ve cracked a “really, really good story” for Batman, so there’s hope yet.
Here’s the controversial question: Did The Flash deserve the backlash it received, or was it unfairly judged? Two years later, the film remains a topic of debate. What’s your take? Did it live up to the hype, or did it fall short? Let’s discuss in the comments—I’m curious to hear your thoughts!
