Angel Studios Faces Criticism Over 'Young Washington' Extra-Ticket Push on America's 250th Anniversary
Updated
Updated · TheWrap · Jul 3
Angel Studios Faces Criticism Over 'Young Washington' Extra-Ticket Push on America's 250th Anniversary
1 articles · Updated · TheWrap · Jul 3
Summary
A review of “Young Washington” accused Angel Studios of urging fans during the closing credits to buy extra tickets for theoretical viewers, inflating reported box-office demand.
Kelsey Grammer’s end-credit appeal framed the purchases as “launching a movement,” a tactic the critic said makes any strong ticket sales hard to treat as proof of genuine audience popularity.
The criticism landed as Jon Erwin’s George Washington biopic opened around the United States’ 250th anniversary, when its overtly patriotic pitch could otherwise have helped it break out.
The reviewer said the marketing controversy overshadowed a competently made but simplistic film that glosses over slavery and Indigenous history while pushing a heroic portrait of Washington.