A few days ago, a test screening of Fantastic Four: First Steps took place in the U.S.A. It seems that a member of the audience shouted "meh" in the theater during the screening of the Marvel film. Recently, a person who participated in this test screening denied this allegation. We explain the story.
A spectator who loses it?
A few days ago, a test screening of Fantastic Four: First Steps took place in an American theater. Rumors about spectators' opinions quickly spread online. Notably, some insiders like Jeff Sneider, Daniel Richtman, and @MyTimeToShineH claimed that the film received mixed reviews and that one viewer even shouted "meh" during the Marvel movie screening. The latter apparently didn't even wait until the end of the film to exclaim a "meh" or "mid" which translates to "average" or "meh" in French.
But apparently, this rumor is false. A person, Louai Turkmani, who was in the room during this famous test screening recently spoke out to deny these rumors. According to him, no one in the room shouted "meh." There was just one disgruntled viewer, who was sighing and gesticulating during the film. At the end of the screening, he asked for his opinion. The latter simply replied that "it was average." This anecdote was shared on Discord, but some insiders amplified it, claiming that a spectator had shouted in the room, which is false.
Here are the comments reported by ComicBook:
I've seen a lot of reports surrounding this anecdote. I wanted to debunk some of the misinterpretations I've heard. No one shouted in the room. There was just a guy next to me gesticulating and sighing. When the movie ended, I asked him for his opinion, and he just said it was average. I told this story on Discord. Some insiders picked up on this story and took it out of context, saying there was a crazy person in the room. This is 100% false. There was even an employee who was collecting reactions from the audience members present. I've heard a lot of positive feedback.
To keep it plain and simple everyone.
— Louai Turkmani (@syriangeekvibes) May 31, 2025
Form your own opinions and never jump to conclusions without full context.#FantasticFourFirstSteps pic.twitter.com/FH99GMtJrV
Mixed initial feedback for Fantastic Four?
So, the feedback for this new Fantastic Four is much more positive than insiders would have us believe. According to ComicBook, the film is excellent according to a large portion of the public. Even if some point to a film that is too fast and disorganized. Others would argue that Reed Richards doesn't use his powers enough and that Ben Grimm doesn't have a Brooklyn accent.
Jeff Sneider, for example, suggested that:
My source suggests the film is average. More worryingly, she said the characters are underdeveloped and the CGI is poor. On the latter point, Marvel can still work on and improve it. Marvel generally doesn't do test screenings when executives are worried about the film's quality. An external Marvel source also reportedly said the film has plot issues. That said, it seems Ralph Ineson's Galactus is very well done. Which is encouraging.
ViewerAnon reported this:
The general reaction I'm hearing is "it's not that bad, but it's disappointing." But that's feedback from a very small sample. A couple reportedly said the first act is a dud, but the film improves when Galactus arrives. I heard the film is unfinished.
So, the reactions from various insiders were apparently exaggerated and the Marvel film received largely positive reviews. At the time of writing, Richtman has apologized, MyTimeToShine has deleted his X-rated post, and Sneider has said nothing. It seems like the Chinese whispers have gotten out of hand lately…
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