01-05-2025
After 'You' Star Madeline Brewer Called Out Critics Who Said She 'Ruined Season 5 With Her Looks,' People Are Highlighting An Alarming Pattern Of Misogynistic Trolling
Since Season 5 of You premiered on Netflix last month, actor Madeline Brewer — who plays Brontë — has sadly faced heaps of unfair criticism and trolling, namely from fans who don't like her on-screen character.
Madeline has hit back at loads of the negative Instagram comments she's received. Earlier this week, she replied to someone who said she 'cannot act' with, 'I've literally been nominated for an Emmy.'
@madbrew / Via
But as well as criticizing her acting skills, trolls have targeted Madeline's appearance, too. One person commented, 'You ruined season 5 with your looks,' to which Madeline simply said, 'no I didn't.'
And in response to someone else who made fun of her chin, Madeline quipped, 'I do have great bone structure! thank you.'
Madeline addressed the criticism further during an interview with L'Officiel last month, where she said, 'If you don't like my character, I don't care — but you don't need to call me ugly.'
The star also pointed out that fellow actor Kaitlyn Dever has received similar harsh and widespread criticism from fans of The Last of Us who didn't like her character, Abby. 'It's so funny, because people are truly unable to separate the actor from the character. I know Kaitlyn Dever is getting a lot of this right now too, and it's like, why are we so incapable of doing that?' Madeline questioned.
For context, Kaitlyn faced so much backlash from some TLOU fans that extra security was required on set for her safety, according to her costar, Isabela Merced.
A viral TikTok with over one million views has since drawn attention to the alarmingly similar way that these actors are treated by people who don't like their on-screen characters, while also citing Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us) and Aimee Lou Wood (The White Lotus).
'It's cruel, misogynistic, and it's bittered my view of humanity,' one comment read. 'I hate how we complain that people are starting to all look the same and then when someone looks a bit different they get made fun of,' said another.
'People have a hard time separating character and actor and it's very problematic. I feel so bad for her,' one user said about Madeline. 'If you're sending hate to a real person cause you dislike a character she played which is not real, you should seriously question what the fuck is going on with you,' someone echoed.
'if y'all cannot separate the actor from the character, you're not mature enough to be watching tv,' one person said, while another added, 'they go 'we want to see new people in movies and shows!!' then hate it when there is.'
