Director Scott Derrickson Claims Critics Are Attacking Him on Twitter for Defending “Bohemian Rhapsody"

"Doctor Strange" director Scott Derrickson is yet again throwing darts at film critics. If you remember, last month Derrickson went on Twitter to voice his frustration with critics bashing "Bohemian Rhapsody", stating “I really enjoyed ‘Bohemian Rhapsody. Most criticisms I’ve read about the film say it could’ve been something more. But I refuse to judge a film by [what] I wanted it to be, I receive it for what it is.”

Derrickson's tweet angered critics such as Variety's Guy Lodge who wrote, “It’s good to review everything on its terms. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t criticize a film for being limited in scope, ambition or courage..If you’re not bothered by the de-queering of Freddie Mercury’s story for mass entertainment purposes, well, great — you are exactly who Bohemian Rhapsody was made for. Enjoy! But also take a moment to consider whether the film should have been made only for you.”

Derrickson is now threatening to exit social-media due to the way, he says, he’s been treated by critics. “If I keep getting personally attacked by film critics I will leave twitter. They will win. I cannot afford to have them souring my name to other critics and filmmakers. It’s consequential,” he wrote. “And none of them come at me directly. That would at least deserve a smidgeon of respect.”

This prompted Roger Ebert's widow, Chaz Ebert, to reply: “Hello Scott, I am not sure what brought about your particular declaration of despair, and it may not make a bit of difference to you, but Roger admired your filmmaking and said he saw something in it that showed a profundity of character and intellect,” she tweeted.

Derrickson was moved by Ebert's words: “Thank you so much Chaz. We all miss Roger so so much,” he wrote back. “He is the permanent gold standard for powerful, passionate, creative film criticism. I would never have pursued a career in film had I not learned cinema history by pouring over his written reviews.”

Hello Scott, I am not sure what brought about your particular declaration of despair, and it may not make a bit of difference to you, but Roger admired your filmmaking and said he saw something in it that showed a profundity of character and intellect. https://t.co/KT2DQ9b7Su

— Chaz (@ChazEbert) December 2, 2018

I didn’t expect to garner so much attention for my tweets last night, but I have to say a sincere thank you for the avalanche of supportive tweets. I won’t leave twitter because of it.

I hope this discussion continues and has some positive long-term influence on the issue.

— Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson) December 2, 2018