Fandoms can be the death of you
James Gunn’s Superman is finally here, and the internet is already an uglier place.
Passionate Zack Snyder fans have concluded that Gunn’s lighter, happier Superman is a betrayal of everything Snyder created with Man of Steel in 2013. They want everyone else to hate the movie, hence the abuse they hurl at every viewer brave enough to give the film a positive review.
The other side, critics and audiences alike have spent the last few days showering Superman 2025 with overwhelming praise, and attacking anyone who does not like the film.
This war of words is threatening to evolve into a roaring avalanche that may infect every corner of the internet with its toxicity, because people cannot differentiate between passion and obsession.
This is why fandoms are so problematic. At their core, fandoms are a good thing. They create a warm and inviting community in which like-minded individuals can gush about their favorite fictional properties.
Unfortunately, some fans develop unhealthy attachments to their chosen fandoms, flooding these communities in search of a sense of belonging, not to mention an escape from their daily trials.
But some go too far by either blurring the lines between reality and fantasy or building their identity around their fandoms. You see this in individuals who stalk celebrities, issue death threats, harass fellow fans online, etc.
Studies analyzing this behaviour have found that interacting with a fandom engages the same neural pathways as other addiction-related activities. This explains the chaos you see on the internet today.
People fight about comic book movies because they take criticisms of their beloved movies, TV shows, video games, anime, novels, etc., as personal insults. If Harry Potter is the only sliver of joy in my miserable life, the most even-handed pushback against the Fantastic Beasts movies is going to trigger me because I feel attacked.
Mild obsessions are okay. There’s nothing wrong with wearing a Hogwarts uniform and running around your house with your friends, flicking your fake wands, and pretending to fire spells.
You should only worry when your fandom begins to affect your well-being. For instance, if your entire week is ruined because Superman is your favorite character, but you watched Gunn’s film and hated it, something’s wrong.
Severe disappointment is perfectly fine; however, if you are too upset to eat, sleep, or focus at work, you have a problem. You should also raise the alarm if you keep neglecting important responsibilities to engage your fandoms (for instance, repeatedly missing work because you spent the entire night playing video games).
Your financial activities are particularly important. If your bank account is empty because all your money goes to a fandom, you have gone astray. As far as online activities are concerned, look out for those moments where you respond aggressively to innocuous comments.
For possible solutions, start by analyzing your personal life. Is everything okay? Are you happy? Some people obsess over fandoms to escape the turmoil in their lives. So, solving your personal issues will lift this obsession. Keep an eye on your mental health. Talk to a professional.
They will aid you in determining whether your toxic activities online are tied to depression, anxiety, and the like. It may take months, possibly even years, to get a handle on your personal life and mental health. In the meantime, practice self-control.
Remove yourself from every contentious online or in-person forum that brings out the worst of you. Avoid parts of the internet that make you angry. That includes websites for reviews, which provoke you regardless of how well-meaning they are.
Find other activities to fill your time; learn a sport, take a class, go hiking. Fandoms are beautiful things. Don’t allow them to poison you.
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