The year 2025 has already seen its share of cultural disappointments in music, film, television, and publishing, with notable missteps that have drawn widespread attention. Among them, Kim Kardashian’s performance in a new soap about LA lawyers stands out as a particularly stark example of mediocrity, reports BritPanorama.
Kardashian’s turn in the collaboration with Ryan Murphy on Disney+ follows her prior work on American Horror Story. Critics have labeled her recent portrayal of a divorce attorney as an anti-charismatic black hole, disrupting the experience of her fellow cast members, including seasoned actors like Glenn Close and Naomi Watts. The stilted performances have led to speculation about whether the absurdity of the show’s premise was a deliberate artistic choice by Murphy.
Another major disappointment is Steven Knight’s historical drama, House of Guinness, which has received backlash for its lackluster accents, weak dialogue, and incoherent plot. Intended to chronicle the adventures of the Guinness dynasty, critics argue it resembles a poorly executed combination of John Wick and Father Ted.
Lana Del Rey’s much-anticipated UK and Ireland stadium tour also failed to meet expectations, as her set list totaled only 14 songs, with fans criticizing the portion of cover tracks and an extended performance exclusively for London attendees. This sense of an unbalanced experience has overshadowed her otherwise celebrated concert history.
In the music realm, The 1975’s headlining performance at Glastonbury 2025 highlighted not only their extensive catalogue but also frontman Matty Healy’s controversial decision to no longer engage in political discourse during shows. His comments during the performance raised eyebrows, with many questioning the impact of the band’s message amidst such a platform.
Challenges in publishing
J.K. Rowling’s latest novel, The Hallmarked Man, has drawn criticism for its sprawling narrative and overstuffed plot. The seventh entry in her Cormoran Strike series attempts to weave multiple mysteries into nearly 1,000 pages, ultimately resulting in reader fatigue regarding the two main characters’ ongoing romantic tension.
New offerings such as Étoile, from the creator of The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, have fallen flat, failing to resonate with audiences. The show, focused on the competitive ballet world, suffers from sluggish pacing and disappointing character development, leading to its quiet cancellation after one season.
Meanwhile, the long-awaited live-action remake of Snow White unleashed a different form of disappointment, featuring lackluster performances from Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. The casting choices were met with skepticism, as critics highlighted the misalignment of the actors with their roles, creating a disconnect that left audiences yearning for the original animated classic.
As the year progresses, these cultural flops serve as a reminder of the precariousness of success in entertainment, where high expectations can often culminate in significant letdowns. The stakes remain high as audiences continue to seek engaging narratives and performances that resonate with both creators’ and viewers’ aspirations.
