My Very Unpopular View: Episode IX is Poorly Received and it is the Fans' Fault

The issue is that the only expectations Disney really subverted were the ridiculous, speculation-fueled expectations of die-hard armchair-screenwriter fans who think they know what would make a great film. I don't think Disney sought in Episode VIII to subvert all expectations in general, as evidenced by the fact that critics received Episode VIII pretty well. In other words, this perception that Disney focused excessively on subverting expectations is an impression (an illusion, even) created by the excessive speculation among fans prior to the release of the film. I.e., if that film deviates from what fans predicted, it must be subverting expectations -- but only because the fans' expectations were these stupid, very firmly entrenched fan theories.

/r/StarWars Thread Parent