Justine Bateman Is Your Post-Election Tik Tok Critic

In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s electoral victory Tuesday, a rather zeitgeisty Internet-Thing happened. Masses of filmmakers, professionals and amateurs alike, collectively guided by a redux of Trump derangement agony, flooded TikTok and Instagram Reels with an outpouring of short films so bad they’re painful to watch.

And, that may be the point. It’s hard to say what audiences should take away from this cultural phenomenon. Commiseration? Fear? Disdain? Only one thing is certain. Politically-tortured social-media makers inadvertently birthed a new filmic genre: the post-electoral TikTok short film.

The hallmarks of this genre are a distraught and disheveled lead character (typically a woman) rambling and catastrophizing into a potato-phone selfie. They cry, yell, they issue unachievable ultimatums. This genre has its own tropes, and it’s not-yet a week old. Check all the boxes, and six-figure views are guaranteed in cross-platform syndication.

Controversial X accounts @LibsofTikTok and @ClownWorld positioned themselves as lead curators of the genre. That’s when 30-year actress and filmmaker Justine Bateman promptly appointed herself the genre’s chief critic.

As a filmmaker, I feel it’s time for #SocialMediaVideoCritiques. The lack of cinematic quality is just begging for it.
– The low camera angle is unattractive, & also suggests a unjustified submissiveness for the viewer.
– Clearly, the stars of the video are the children, but 1/ https://t.co/kmXmtcNFVj

— Justine Bateman (@JustineBateman) November 7, 2024

In this show of reels, Bateman The Critic is the real star. Bateman reviewed contributions on X hashtag #SocialMediaVideoCritiques, as fast as they rolled in. It’s a hilarious-and-helpful guide to any filmmaker new to the emerging genre, which we all fortunately are.

Here are a few highlights:

#SocialMediaVideoCritique
– The dialogue delivery is incredibly flat and monotone. The audience is unable to connect emotionally with the actress, as there is no indication of her feelings about what she’s saying.
– Again there is a ceiling fan. Please frame this out unless it 1/ https://t.co/jUqclxhXl5

— Justine Bateman (@JustineBateman) November 8, 2024

From production value to performative credibility, everything is at play and the stakes are high.

#SocialMediaVideoCritiques
– The glasses work here as a “blue mood” setting for the piece.
– The dialogue is sharp and funny, with good set-up of “school drop off” immediately prior.
– Quick and crisp.
– In a car again. Do not use this location any longer. 1/ https://t.co/ibm126Bc4p

— Justine Bateman (@JustineBateman) November 8, 2024

Note that Bateman is careful not to dunk on aspiring auteurs. Rather, she positions herself as equal parts critic and thought leader, proffering genuinely-good advice. Nix the visible ceiling fans, please, and scout new locations! Car interiors? Overused!

#SocialMediaVideoCritique
This one is particularly disappointing.
– The lighting is ok, but that corner of backlight from the side window is distracting.Roll up the window if you cannot expose for it.
– Again we’re in a car. I cannot stress enough how the car location has been 1/ https://t.co/tVC3EUhBEI

— Justine Bateman (@JustineBateman) November 8, 2024

 

Don’t forget to hit those diversity marks, people!

#SocialMediaVideoCritique
– Refreshingly, this is a man. Don't forget to produce pieces that will appeal to both sexes.
– The lighting is vague. It's good that the blinds behind him are closed, to avoid backlight, but there's no care taken with the lighting of the actor. 1/ https://t.co/y2UhSwViNS

— Justine Bateman (@JustineBateman) November 9, 2024

Review after review. Bateman reviewed contributions all week long, all day long. It was an extraordinary display of solidarity from the former SAG Board Member, legitimizing a new media format that traditional critics often and altogether avoid, because it’s just… well, bad. Some, worse than others.

Self-described F-list Celeb and Sometimes Comic Kathy Griffin’s contribution to the field did not meet Bateman’s minimum standards to merit a review! It lacked a necessary emotional component.However, Bateman found one flawless piece from a true media professional, in the likes of former Trump fixer-man Michael Cohen. I think we can all agree, he nailed it!

Needless to say, this is very impressive. https://t.co/WrSKmV8ZFM

— Justine Bateman (@JustineBateman) November 8, 2024

 

Bateman even delivered gentle criticism to would-be VP Tim Walz’s daughter, Somber Walz, encouraging the young filmmaker to flesh-out her experimental short into a feature length film! Inspiring!

Demand for post-electoral shorts is enormous, if not insatiable, and the angsty artists driving the movement have ample room to both improve upon and define the genre. At this rate, we can anticipate post-electoral TikTok short films becoming an Oscar subcategory in four years… if Trump hasn’t imprisoned every filmmaker making them by then.