Emma Roberts Blames ‘Internet Culture,’ Everything Being a ‘Joke’ for Madame Web’s Reception

Emma Roberts thinks “internet culture” and “everything being a joke” is largely to blame for audiences’ reception of Madame Web .

Madame Web, which is part of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe , was released in United States theaters in February 2024. The film made approximately $100.3 million at the global box office, though it was largely panned by most critics and moviegoers.

What did Emma Roberts say about Madame Web?

Reflecting on people’s reactions towards Madame Web, Roberts, who plays Mary Parker in the film, told Variety , “Things work; things don’t work. Everyone likes to act like they can predict if they’re going to work or they’re not. And the truth is, you can’t. Things do badly, and then they blow up later on TikTok. Things do well, but then you watch them, and you’re like, ‘This did well?’ There is no secret. It’s about doing something goodish and it hitting at the right time. Everything else is like a wish and a prayer. I’m not intimidated by failure, and I’m not intimidated by people having negative thoughts about something.

“I personally really loved Madame Web. I really enjoyed the movie. I thought everyone in it was great. The director, S.J. Clarkson, I think did an amazing job. She’s the reason I wanted to do that movie. If it wasn’t for internet culture and everything being made into a joke, I think that the reception would’ve been different. And that’s what bums me out about a lot of stuff, even stuff that I’ve done, is people just make such a joke out of everything now.”

Along with Roberts, Madame Web stars Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O’Connor, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Adam Scott, Kerry Bishé, Zosia Mamet, and José María Yazpik.

Directed and co-written by Clarkson, Madame Web is currently streaming on Netflix.