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Mainstream media and the film's cast have mounted a vigorous defense against criticisms. Viola Davis, the lead actress, emphasized that abstaining from supporting the film equates to harboring an anti-black sentiment, specifically implying it suggests Black women cannot carry a box office hit. This pushback aimed to dismiss negative reviews and portray critics as racists opposed to Black women leading.
Immediately following the film's release, the comment sections and social media platforms saw an influx of one-star reviews, often dismissed as racially motivated backlash from certain groups. This response seemed to serve as a deflection from deeper discussions about the film's historical accuracy and portrayal of the Dahomey Kingdom.