Mea Culpa Worst Movie Ratings. Entertainment – Mea Culpa, the most recent cinematic creation by American comedy mogul Tyler Perry, has faced harsh criticism from its audience. A majority of social media platforms consider Mea Culpa as worst movie with negative ratings. This legal thriller centers around a criminal defense attorney (Kelly Rowland) who takes on the case of an artist (Trevante Rhodes) accused of murdering his girlfriend. Read Also: Unpacking the Controversy: ‘Where Is Wendy Williams?’ Docuseries
Perry is credited with writing, directing, and producing the film, which is available for streaming in Netflix. The cast includes not only Rowland and Rhodes but also features Nick Sagar, Sean Sagar, RonReaco Lee, Shannon Thornton, and Kerry O’Malley.
Mea Culpa Worst Movie Ratings
Mea Culpa has received negative reviews reflected in its dismal “Rotten” score of only 18% on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes at the current moment. This rating signifies that fewer than one-fifth of the critics who viewed the film provided a positive review.
In a two-star critique featured in The Guardian, Benjamin Lee expressed, “As anticipated from the plot summary, it’s excessively overloaded, with Perry’s actors grappling with absurdly melodramatic dialogue, unnecessarily complicating a narrative that needed much more precision to be effective.”
The movie, which starts off as a sexy thriller, slows down into a dull relationship story and ends with confusing twists that don’t make much sense.
People on social media aren’t happy either, with many saying it’s Tyler Perry’s worst film.
Tyler Perry’s earlier movies, like Diary of a Mad Black Woman and the Madea series where he dresses up as an old woman, were more well-received compared to this one.
The Mea Culpa Movie Synopsis
With a clever title like Mea Culpa, you might guess the movie revolves around the legal system and possibly features a character named “Mea.” Both guesses are correct. After her time in Destiny’s Child with Beyoncé and Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland, the vocals behind David Guetta’s hit EDM song “When Love Takes Over,” steps into acclaimed writer-director Tyler Perry’s new erotic thriller Mea Culpa. In this film, it’s not legal battles but rather “lust” that takes center stage as Rowland’s attorney character Mea succumbs to the charms of a mysterious artist in trouble (Trevante Rhodes) accused of murder. Interestingly, Rhodes doesn’t seem too bothered by the legal turmoil, showing an affinity for his potential lawyer, adding a touch of fun to Mea Culpa.
For those unfamiliar, “mea culpa” in Latin translates to “through my fault” and is often used to convey remorse. The term “culpa” on its own means “guilt” in Latin, and it won’t be long before you understand the aptness of Perry’s chosen title. While the celebrated filmmaker and actor portrayed a lawyer in Gone Girl, Perry is notably absent from his latest Netflix creation. Regrettably, it’s a departure from the comedic tone of his beloved Madea movies, but that’s perfectly fine.
Why No Court Room Drama?
Unfortunately, there are no “courtroom drama” moments in this story; instead, the focus is on events outside the halls of justice. This entails delving into Mea’s eye-roll-worthy domestic life, navigating a strained marriage with her husband Kal (Sean Sagar), who seems a bit too close to his overbearing mother Azalia (Kerry O’Malley). The constant presence of Kal’s brother Ray (Nick Sagar) adds to the mix, and Rowland skillfully conveys Mea’s palpable annoyance. Undoubtedly, there are numerous young couples out there who can unfortunately relate to Mea’s challenges with Kal’s intrusive relatives.
Adding to the complexity, Kal has been unemployed for months. Mea is silently shouldering the financial burden without Azalia being any the wiser. While Mea excels in her role as a criminal defense attorney, their mounting debt prompts her to take on the dubious case of Zyair Malloy. Trevante Rhodes is from acclaimed films like the Academy Award-winning Moonlight and, more recently, the Netflix hit Bird Box. In this role, Rhodes showcases a versatile performance, seamlessly transitioning between mystery, allure, humor, and drama. We eagerly anticipate what’s next for both him and Rowland.
X/Twitter Reviews
“Mea Culpa (2024)… from start to finish, this is quite simply the worst Tyler Perry film to date,” one individual postedon X/Twitter. “I’d go as far to say it’s probably one of the worst films i’ve ever had the displeasure to sit through. Not one shred of emotion, not one tear or laugh. Nothing for 120 minutes.”
X/Twitter fan
“Mea Culpa was one of the worst movies made this 21st century,” another added. Another person mentioned “may be the worst movie I’ve ever seen in my entire life”.
Is Everyone Guilty of the Negative Reviews?
Rowland demonstrated her talent in less prominent roles. They include Freddy vs. Jason and Think Like a Man. So kudos to Perry for giving her a prominent role in Mea Culpa. Terms like “guilty pleasure” may come to mind to describe the melodramatic nature of the film. However, it’s enjoyable to witness other familiar actors make a comeback. Exhibit A is RonReaco Lee, portraying Jimmy, Mea’s friend and private investigator. He exudes charm and attractiveness, but his relationship with Mea is strictly platonic. For millennials who grew up watching the beloved ’90s sitcom Sister Sister, RonReaco Lee’s return is a delightful blast from the past. Welcome back! Keep an eye on Jimmy as he closely monitors Zyair and even Mea’s suspicious in-laws. He believes they may be involved in the unfolding criminal case.
Tyler Perry’s Guilt in Mea Culpa Worst Movie Ratings
So who is to blame for the Mea Culpa worst movie ratings? Ultimately, we’re all carrying a bit of guilt, a theme Tyler Perry captivatingly explores in Mea Culpa. The film is pulpy and soapy, not the most intense content. But the distinctive Chicago backdrop offers a refreshing change. It creates a world for Mea to take up more criminal cases. Maybe in potential sequels or a spinoff series. In a recent interview with Tyler Perry by MovieWeb, he shared plans for developing eight more films with Netflix.
A future legal thriller, especially involving Mea, would be a welcomed addition. In this initial instalment, we’re treated to several unexpected twists. Mea delves into Zyair’s past, and the dynamics of his relationship with his deceased girlfriend. Also, their unconventional activities before her murder. Not forgetting the murky dealings within Mea’s own questionable family and Azalia’s alleged health issues. It’s a popcorn movie best enjoyed with friends, sparking discussions and debates about the unfolding events as the credits roll.
Watch the trailer here: