Gal Gadot's New Film Sparks Divided Reactions Online

Gal Gadot's latest film, "Bamaratz Neged Ha'Zman" (translated as "Racing Against Time"), released on Amazon Prime, has ignited a wave of online debate regarding her acting abilities. A short clip from the movie, posted on X by a user named KAY, garnered significant attention, with the user stating, "Gal Gadot doesn't know how to act at all." This post has since received millions of views and thousands of interactions.

While some commenters echoed the criticism, with one suggesting Gadot was cast solely due to her Jewish identity in a perceived Jewish-dominated industry, many others defended her. Supporters argued that criticizing an actress for her performance is one thing, but targeting her for supporting her country is disheartening. Some users pointed out that Gadot's accent might affect her delivery, while others compared her to action stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who achieved success despite not being considered classically trained actors, suggesting Gadot's physical presence and background are assets for action roles.

Film critic Scott Mendelson also weighed in, noting the stark contrast between the industry's previous adulation of Gadot after "Wonder Woman" and the current wave of criticism. He suggested this shift reflects Hollywood's tendency to embrace and discard individuals based on their utility to the industry, calling the current treatment of Gadot "disgusting."

Globally, the film has received largely negative reviews, holding a low 9% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics noted Gadot's athleticism but often found her performance emotionally stiff or lacking depth. Some reviews, like one from RogerEbert.com, suggested the script offered Gadot little to do beyond running and panicking, while others, such as The Hollywood Reporter, praised her athletic presence as fitting for the fast-paced film. The film's critical reception in Israel was also negative, according to mako's own review.