Joy Ride: The critic’s “embarrassing” criticism ironically backfires
Ironically, one critic’s harsh criticism of Adele Lim’s directorial debut backfired.
Lim’s raunchy new comedy Joy Ride Starring Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu, Ashley Park (Emily in Paris), Sherry Cola and Sabrina Wu, as four friends who embark on an epic, boundless journey across Asia. But what was intended as a journey of self-discovery soon turns into an adventure of wild debauchery.
On Tuesday (July 4), the day before the film’s release in U.S. theaters, a film critic and podcast host named Jackson Murphy blasted the film on Twitter, saying it “objectifies men and targets white people.”
“#JoyRide is embarrassing. Incredibly uncomfortable. “Like most modern adult ‘comedy’, it’s raunchy just to be raunchy, forgetting that humor has to go with it, and there’s none of that,” he wrote. “Objectives men, targets white people.” All shocking, ‘look at me’ attitude.”
However, instead of being a deterrent, many people responded to Murphy’s opinion, saying he encouraged them to see the film.
“I didn’t really think about checking this out, but since reading this review I think I will now. Thank you,” one person replied.
A second thanked Murphy for his review, also saying it “firmed my decision to buy tickets”!
“This is the best PR for this movie I’ve seen so far! I can’t wait to see it!” a third praised.
Another used Murphy’s own words against him, arguing that his tweet was “embarrassing” and “incredibly uncomfortable.”
“Like most adult ‘critics,’ it’s contradictory and hateful to just be contrary and hateful, forgetting that the word ‘critic’ comes from ‘criticism’ and not ‘criticize,’ but none of that is there. Your tweet aims for good movie reviews,” they added.
Even director Lim humorously responded to the post, saying, “I need ‘objective men, aim at white people’ on a t-shirt[prayerhandsandlaughemoji”[GebetshändeundLach-Emojis“[prayerhandsandlaughemoji”
The Malaysian film producer is best known for being a 2018 co-screenwriter Crazy rich Asians and Disney’s 2021 Raya and the last dragon.
Joy Ride is out now in US theaters. The film will be released in UK cinemas on August 4th.
