Part 8/11:
The narrative now has shifted from criticism to outright accusations of "ratings terrorism"—a term used to describe coordinated efforts to manipulate reviews. Allegations include that some fans are being instructed to leave unfair reviews to sabotage the movie's reputation or to bolster its ratings artificially.
This manipulation tactic isn’t unique to The Little Mermaid, but the emphasis on it reveals the polarization in how audience opinions are framed. When a film faces backlash, it’s “review bombing”; when it receives praise, it’s considered legitimate. The media’s portrayal increasingly portrays dissent as destructive, even equating it with terrorism.