Film Critics' Gender Gap: Men Write 78 Percent of Reviews, Study Finds

A new study conducted by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and Time’s Up has found that film criticism is dominated by white men, with 78 percent of reviews from 2015 to 2017 written by male critics, and 83 percent written by white critics.

The report surveyed reviews of 300 top-grossing films from 2015 to 2017 posted on Rotten Tomatoes to assess gender and race/ethnicity of critics, including how this varies by film distributor and publication outlets.

Nearly 60,000 reviews were logged in the report, which found that nonwhite women only wrote 3.7 percent, white female critics wrote 17 percent, and nonwhite men wrote 13 percent.

Also Read: Time's Up, USC Launch Diversity Database for Critics and Entertainment Reporters

“This study reveals that the inequality we see among critics is not a one-time problem,” said Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder and director of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. “These are stable patterns that demonstrate that the conversation surrounding films and their value is not an inclusive one.”

Perhaps even more glaring was the study’s discovery that nearly half of the 300 films surveyed did not have a review from a single woman of color. Similarly, 45.4 percent of the 108 female-driven movies and 35.1 percent of the 57 films with a POC actor in a leading role were not reviewed by any female critics of color.

Actress Brie Larson, who will star in “Captain Marvel” next year, praised the study for showing why representation in film criticism is essential.

Also Read: Les Moonves Suspended From Board of USC School of Cinematic Arts

“It’s important for the entertainment industry to embrace the diverse voices in film criticism that already exist and ensure that the critics reviewing movies represent the audience that sees them,” Larson said. “We can all do our part to create access and opportunity for the perspectives that have long been missing from these conversations.”

The study comes as the Time’s Up organization continues to develop CRITICAL, an opt-in database of female and underrepresented entertainment writers and critics.

Time's Up Stays Strong for Oscars as Catt Sadler, Ronan Farrow, Heather Graham Unite (Photos)

Catt Sadler, Ronan Farrow and Heather Graham were among the leading names and faces of the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements at a Soho House gathering on Thursday night. The packed event honoring Women in Hollywood and benefitting Time's Up drew star support from all corners of the entertainment ecosystem: film, TV, journalism, music, comedy, reality and influencers.
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New Vanity Fair editor Radhika Jones (left) and superstar creative Ava DuVernay (right) hosted the event.

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Catt Sadler, who walked away from a job at E! that countless mic-wielding wannabes aspire to, is a significant get. She'll be back on-air Oscar night hosting Vanity Fair's livestream from inside their famed party.

Also Read: Jennifer Lawrence Supports Catt Sadler After E! Exit Over Pay Gap
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Ronan Farrow (posing here with actress Isabelle Fuhrman) is a metaphorical Paul Revere. His 10-month investigation on Harvey Weinstein, published in the New Yorker days after the initial New York Times Weinstein story, elevated a scandal into a flashpoint.

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Heather Graham poses on the impromptu red carpet.

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Comedy was well represented: Mary McCormack, Aisha Tyler and Chelsea Handler.

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#MeToo founder Tarana Burke hung with "Creed" and "Thor: Ragnarok" actress Tessa Thompson.

Also Read: Golden Globes: 5 Actresses Who Brought Activists to the Show (Photos)
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The scene inside Soho House. This private club with a no photography rule rarely allows these type of major events.
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On the left, VF Executive west coast editor Krista Smith with Zendaya. On the right, Caitlyn Jenner.

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Padma Lakshmi, who recently crowned the latest winner of "Top Chef," is more of an Emmy weekend regular. She was among the "leading and inspirational" women invited to the event co-produced by VF and advertising partner Lancôme Paris.
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This was not a women-only event. Rita Wilson chats with Paul Feig. These two go back to 1996's "That Thing You Do!" directed by Mr. Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks.

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Gaby Hoffmann and Connie Britton. Hoffman's "Transparent" has been rocked by the allegations against Jeffrey Tambor and his subsequent departure from the show.
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Showing support from all corners of the industry, former reality star Whitney Port and fashion commentator Louise Roe were in the mix. Belvedere vodka cocktails and a new female focused Johnnie Walker ("Jane Walker") were also the beverage partners on the night.
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Alia Shawkat, Aubrey Plaza and Zoe Kravitz demonstrate three different ways to sort of smile.
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Chris Mitchell is the VF Publisher and architect of an elaborate week of nightly sponsor-driven activations featuring the magazine's advertisers. Partnering with films and philanthropies, they colonize the city's choice venues for events that are independent of the magazine's glossy Oscar night bash. Here, he poses with Mindy Kaling.

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J. Alexander and Kat Graham. This is The Party Report's pick for "Duo of the Night."
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It-girl Paris Jackson, "Stranger Things'" Joe Keery and Maika Monroe.
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Nina Dobrev steps in with Clifton Collins Jr.
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Sarah Hyland and Selma Blair.

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Oscar parties are just beginning. For TheWrap's full preview on where the nominees will be celebrating before and after the show, click over to here:

Also Read: Oscar Parties 2018: The Top Invites, Events and Nominee Gatherings
(Getty Images for InStyle; Getty Images for the DGA; AMPAS)

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Stars from across the entertainment ecosystem gather at Soho House as the first significant gathering of Oscar weekend

Catt Sadler, Ronan Farrow and Heather Graham were among the leading names and faces of the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements at a Soho House gathering on Thursday night. The packed event honoring Women in Hollywood and benefitting Time's Up drew star support from all corners of the entertainment ecosystem: film, TV, journalism, music, comedy, reality and influencers.

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Time's Up Stays Strong for Oscars as Catt Sadler, Ronan Farrow, Heather Graham Unite (Photos)

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