The release of Hillbilly Elegy on Netflix comes at a curious moment, especially for the Republican Party. This 2020 film, based on JD Vance’s memoir, didn’t exactly wow critics. In fact, it received some of the lowest reviews of the year and even snagged a few Razzie nominations—those are the awards given to the worst movies.
The Film’s Impact and Current Relevance
Despite its poor reception, Hillbilly Elegy made waves in other ways. JD Vance, who wrote the memoir, became a notable political figure, winning a key race in Ohio’s 2022 midterms. The film was even blamed for his rise. Fast forward to now, and Vance is a prominent name again as Donald Trump’s potential Vice Presidential pick. This leaves people wondering if Hillbilly Elegy was misunderstood or if it truly deserved all that criticism.
The Film’s Reception
Hillbilly Elegy arrived with high hopes. Directed by Ron Howard, known for hits like Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind, and featuring Oscar-nominated stars Amy Adams and Glenn Close, the film seemed poised for success. However, it fell flat with critics, earning a lowly 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The main complaints were about its inaccurate portrayal of life in Appalachia and a clichéd script.
In a twist of irony, despite being slammed with three Razzie nominations—Worst Director, Worst Screenplay, and Worst Supporting Actress for Glenn Close—the film still earned some praise in other circles. Glenn Close’s performance as Vance’s grandmother even earned her an Oscar nomination, highlighting a split between critical and award recognition.
Should You Watch It?
Ultimately, whether or not to watch Hillbilly Elegy is up to you. If you’re short on time, you might find better movies out there. But if you’re intrigued by a film that sparked both award chatter and Razzie criticism, Hillbilly Elegy offers a unique, if imperfect, cinematic experience.
