The highly anticipated first season of Beast Games, MrBeast’s new reality competition series, debuted earlier this week on Amazon Prime. However, the show has quickly garnered a wave of criticism, with many labeling it “evil,” “dystopian,” and “sadistic.”
A Controversial Start
The concept of Beast Games—1,000 contestants battling it out for a $5 million prize—initially intrigued audiences. Yet, controversy surrounded the series long before its premiere. Five anonymous contestants filed a lawsuit against Amazon and MrBeast, alleging sexual harassment, hostile working conditions, and even hospitalization during production. These allegations raised red flags, setting the stage for the widespread criticism that followed its release.
Negative Reception from Critics
The show’s release was met with harsh reviews. On Metacritic, Beast Games holds a dismal score of 38, with outlets like IGN and The Telegraph giving it two out of ten and describing it as “joyless” and “a bust.” While IMDb scores are marginally better at 6.2/10, the overall reception has been far from positive.
Critics have lambasted the series for its exploitative premise and lackluster execution. Viewers, too, have expressed discomfort with the concept, describing it as “dystopian” and “sadistic.”
Social Media Reacts
Twitter and Reddit have been flooded with mixed reactions. Defenders of the show argue that contestants willingly participated for the chance to win life-changing money. However, the majority highlight the unsettling nature of the competition.
One Twitter user, @mercurialaries, encapsulated these sentiments, stating that the show preys on “struggling and vulnerable” individuals, with the entertainment value rooted in watching participants endure hardship. Similarly, Reddit threads have criticized the challenges, which often involve betrayal and manipulation, leaving viewers uneasy about the moral implications.
A Changing Perception of MrBeast
Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has been no stranger to controversy this year. From his partnership with Logan Paul and KSI for the Lunchly brand to accusations of insider trading, Donaldson’s once-spotless reputation has taken a hit. Beast Games only adds to the growing list of questionable ventures that have led fans and critics to scrutinize his approach to philanthropy and entertainment.
As the conversation around Beast Games continues, one thing is clear: the show has sparked a necessary dialogue about the ethics of reality TV and the lengths creators are willing to go for entertainment. Whether Beast Games will manage to recover from its rocky debut remains uncertain.
