Marvel’s ‘Agatha All Along’ Faces Backlash as Fans Review Bomb Disney+ Series

Agatha All Along is a new Disney+ (Disney Plus) television miniseries originating from the mind of director Jac Schaeffer, the showrunner of the acclaimed WandaVision set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the series centers on the witch Agatha Harkness, played by Kathryn Hahn.

The show debuted on Disney+ on September 18, 2024, and seeks to recapture the whimsy and drama that characterized WandaVision, with a sprinkle of Halloween fun. Part of Marvel Studios’ broader narrative strategy, Agatha All Along explores Agatha’s journey post-WandaVision as she navigates her own challenges while seeking to reclaim her powers.

Related: Disney’s Halloween Marvel Release Will Be the Most Queer the Franchise Has Ever Been

Initially titled Agatha: House of Harkness, then Agatha: Coven of Chaos and Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, it was even called Agatha: The Lying Witch with Great Wardrobe at one point as part of a funny marketing gimmick from Marvel Studios. Finally, the title evolved to reference the catchy WandaVision jingle “Agatha All Along”.

Fans Review Bomb New Disney+ Show

The release of Agatha All Along has not been without controversy. A vocal segment of the fanbase has engaged in review bomb campaigns across platforms like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.

The backlash appears rooted in misogynistic and homophobic sentiments, as the series embraces a predominantly female cast and features LGBTQ+ representation. Terms like “M-She-U” have surfaced, criticizing the MCU for creating stories about female heroes. The portrayal of queer characters within Agatha All Along has also irked segments of the fandom that feel threatened by this shift toward inclusivity.

Following its premiere, fans noticed a surge of negative reviews within the first hours of the series airing. User @heartstperxjoe on X/Twitter shared:

please go make an account on rotten tomatoes and rate the show because a bunch of misogynistic homophobes who clearly haven’t even watched it are desperately trying to lower the score right now. #AgathaAllAlong

(text in four images): “More trash with an agenda. Don’t waste your time. I would say that it could only get better but Marvel
and Disney have shown us that yes….they CAN make it worse.”

“really bad on every single level as to be expected with so much modern media”

“This was really insufferable, it’s look like was
making bad on purpose”

“When the cast themselves say it’s the gayest marvel show/movie to date… That proves a show doesn’t need to be good/interesting, you just need to pander to certain demographics. This makes The Acolyte look like Citizen Kanew.. The WBS Charmed had more going for it.”

“This stupidity with MCU must to stop. Who cares about Agatha? Who even knew of her existence. They keep making TV shows about insignificant characters who once appeared in a tiny square of a Marvel comic.”

please go make an account on rotten tomatoes and rate the show because a bunch of misogynistic homophobes who clearly haven't even watched it are desperately trying to lower the score right now. #AgathaAllAlong pic.twitter.com/rpFjm8mxqg

— rei 🌧️ loves joe locke (@heartstperxjoe) September 20, 2024

Many of these critiques seemed to come from individuals who had not even seen the episodes. Supporters of the series called for action on social media, urging everyone to actively rate and review the show positively to counteract the smear campaign.

Scarlet Witch Updates: Please go rate #AgathaAllAlong on IMDb because it got review bombed.
Here: 🔗https://imdb.com/title/tt15571732/
Also Rotten Tomatoes: 🔗https://rottentomatoes.com/tv/agatha_all_along

Marvelous Gamer (in reply): When the show first dropped within the first hour, the 1 star numbers were in the high hundreds.

When the show first dropped within the first hour, the 1 star numbers were in the high hundreds. pic.twitter.com/G1TGd6QfbJ

— Marvelous Gamer (@Mar_DC767620022) September 28, 2024

In response to the review bombing, fans rallied to uplift the series’ ratings. Community efforts via social media platforms promoted campaigns to bolster Agatha All Along‘s scores back into favorable territory. Supporters argued not just for the quality of the show itself, but for its significance within the landscape of modern storytelling in the MCU, urging people to watch the episodes before rating.

Despite the backlash, early view counts for Agatha All Along on Disney+ were impressive, with 9.3 million views reported within its first week — indicating that the initial wave of negative reviews may not reflect the true audience sentiment. Many viewers found humor and depth in the show, likening its spirit to the innovative elements of WandaVision. Critically, the miniseries has received praise for its storytelling and performances.

When compared to other Marvel series on Disney+, Agatha All Along has shown strong viewership numbers. While shows like Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Ahsoka garnered more views comparatively, Agatha All Along‘s numbers signal a robust audience interest that often contradicts the low rated reviews on review platforms.

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Representation in Agatha All Along

Agatha All Along shines a spotlight on representation within the MCU. Contrary to past criticisms of the franchise’s diversity, the series features a multitude of characters with varying backgrounds and sexual orientations. Popular characters like Joe Locke’s mysterious “Teen”, rumored to be Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) son Wiccan/Billy Maximoff/Billy Kaplan from the Marvel Comics, were highlighted in discussions of representation within the series.

Broadway legend (and queer icon) Patti LuPone takes on the role of the eccentric divination witch, Lilia Calderu, in Agatha’s coven. LuPone’s excitement for the role was evident, even landing her in a bit of hot water with Disney and Marvel Studios for accidentally revealing details, earning her comparisons to Tom Holland’s infamous “spoiler” moments.

The series also introduces a variety of other witches, including potions witch Jennifer Kale, played by Sasheer Zamata, protection witch Alice Wu Gulliver, portrayed by Ali Ahn, Debra Jo Rupp as Mrs. Hart/Sharon Davis, and the green witch Rio Vidal, brought to life by Aubrey Plaza. According to production insiders, Plaza’s character, Vidal, was rumored to be Agatha Harkness’ former lover, adding an intriguing layer to the story.

As Agatha All Along continues to unfold, the series’ success poses essential questions about representation, narrative development, and the dynamics of fandom in the digital age.

Have you watched Agatha All Along? Share your thoughts on the review bombing attempts with us in the comments below!