A shadowy movie PR firm is facing the music after allegations of manipulating Rotten Tomatoes reviews have come to light. Rotten Tomatoes, the long-standing titan of film review aggregation, has always held a coveted “Certified Fresh” label for movies that maintain a Tomatometer score above 75%.
According to sources, a film PR outfit by the name of Bunker 15 hatched a cunning plan to boost the ratings of the reimagined Shakespearean tale, Ophelia, back in 2018. The film initially received a dismal 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In a desperate attempt to turn the tide, Bunker 15 resorted to soliciting obscure critics, some of whom allegedly received undisclosed payments for their favorable reviews. Thanks to this dubious maneuver, Ophelia’s Rotten Tomatoes score miraculously climbed from 40% to 62%.
What the Bunker 15 Saga Reveals About Rotten Tomatoes
Bunker 15 left no stone unturned in their quest to elevate Ophelia’s Tomatometer score above the 60% mark. When a lone critic dared to voice a negative opinion, rumors suggest that Bunker 15 exerted pressure on the reviewer to revise their stance to a faintly positive one. Allegedly, a Bunker 15 representative hinted at having influential connections within Rotten Tomatoes’ editorial team, insinuating that they could manipulate the outcome. In the end, the influx of positive reviews paid dividends for Ophelia, securing it a U.S. distribution deal with IFC Films.
However, Bunker 15’s questionable tactics did not escape Rotten Tomatoes’ vigilant eye. The website promptly purged several reviews linked to the firm and issued a stern warning to the implicated reviewers: “We hold the integrity of our ratings in high regard and will not tolerate any attempts to tamper with them. Our dedicated team routinely monitors our platforms, thoroughly investigating and resolving any suspicious activity.”
The Ophelia distribution deal underscores the undeniable impact of Rotten Tomatoes’ scores on a film’s fortunes. Yet, the veracity of this influence should be scrutinized, especially since Rotten Tomatoes still factors in contributions from lesser-known critics in its overall rating. Nevertheless, the website remains a dominant force in the realm of movie reviews and shows no signs of relinquishing that status anytime soon.