Why Do People Hate Lucas Hedges?

Lucas Hedges is an American actor known for his roles in acclaimed films like Manchester by the Sea, Lady Bird, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

Despite his talent and success at a young age, Hedges has faced some backlash and hatred online from certain groups of people. There are a few potential reasons for this hatred that are worth exploring.

Privileged Upbringing

One of the most common criticisms of Lucas Hedges is that he grew up with privilege and connections in the entertainment industry. Hedges was born in New York City in 1996 to the director Peter Hedges and actress Susan Bruce. His father’s career gave Lucas access to the industry from a young age.

This privileged upbringing strikes some as unfair or undeserved. They believe Hedges had an easy path to fame and success because of his parents’ connections rather than pure talent or hard work. This can make some people resentful or jealous of his rapid rise to stardom.

Perceived Lack of Struggle or Difficulty

Related to the privilege debate is the perception that Hedges has not struggled enough or faced enough adversity on his path to success. For example, whereas some actors may work for years in smaller roles before their big break, Hedges starred in critically-acclaimed films almost immediately.

To some, this can seem like his fame and opportunities were handed to him easily. They may believe he didn’t have to “pay his dues” in the traditional sense before becoming a leading man. This can make people dislike or discredit him as an actor.

Acting Style and Demeanor

Another common criticism of Lucas Hedges is that his acting style comes across as inauthentic, dull, or one-note. Some believe he plays the same brooding, deadpan characters and lacks emotional range or depth.

His soft-spoken, understated demeanor in interviews also strikes some as boring or lacking a compelling persona. They see him as bland compared to other young actors with more magnetic personalities. This trait makes some people view him as untalented or undeserving of praise.

Backlash to His Early Acclaim and Hype

Lucas Hedges received immense acclaim and hype early in his career for films like Manchester by the Sea when he was only 19 years old. Some people feel this early praise was overblown or unwarranted.

When the media or industry hype a newcomer too much, it inevitably provokes backlash from people who feel the praise is premature. The more popular Hedges became, the more others seemed to resent or discount his talent to counteract the hype.

Privilege Presents a Double Standard

For some people, Lucas Hedges represents a double standard where privileged actors get ahead while others struggle. When a young newcomer receives such quick success and acclaim, it can highlight the inequality and bias in Hollywood that favors white men from elite backgrounds.

Some feel that an actor from a modest background with the same skillset as Hedges would likely not have the same opportunities. This double standard understandably breeds resentment.

Tall Poppy Syndrome

On a broader level, Lucas Hedges has fallen victim to a phenomenon known as “tall poppy syndrome.” This refers to the tendency to criticize high achievers or “cut down the tall poppies” out of jealousy, resentment, or feelings that they need to be humbled.

His achievements at a young age likely make him a target of tall poppy syndrome among some segments of the population that instinctively root for the underdog or youthful success stories.

Perceived Cockiness or Arrogance

Despite his quiet demeanor, some have interpreted Lucas Hedges’ behavior or interviews as implying an arrogance or cockiness beneath the surface. Even a modest amount of confidence as a young actor can rub certain people the wrong way.

They may see flashes of entitlement or a young man getting too much fame too soon and letting it get to his head. Even perceived or subtle arrogance can provoke waves of backlash.

Association With Pretentious Indie Films

Many of Lucas Hedges’ most acclaimed films like Lady Bird and Manchester by the Sea have been called pretentious or contrived by some critics. While stylistically and thematically different, many of Hedges’ projects belong to a genre of intellectualized, artsy indie films that some viewers find alienating or self-important.

By association, some of the disdain for those types of films rubs off on Hedges and contributes to a feeling that he is part of an elitist, pretentious crowd in the indie scene. This turns some people against him.

Perceived Lack of Real-Life Experience

Given his youth and privileged upbringing, Lucas Hedges inevitably comes across as lacking real-life experience compared to other actors. Some believe he cannot genuinely relate to or portray the complex emotional depths of the working-class characters he often plays.

This makes his acting feel inauthentic or surface-level to his detractors. They see him as a privileged child acting rather than truly inhabiting a role. The sense that he hasn’t truly lived or suffered like his characters turns some against him.

Offscreen Persona and Lifestyle

Unlike many young actors who live glamorous or scandalous lives off-screen, Lucas Hedges has a rather low-key persona. He generally stays out of the tabloids and limelight when not promoting projects. However, for some, this can come across as boring or lacking star power.

Hedges also has faced some criticism and intrigue around his ambiguous sexuality and relationships. His unwillingness to define his sexual orientation strikes some as cryptic or seeking attention. In today’s social media landscape, being an enigma can draw ire.

Work with Alleged Abusers

Throughout his young career, Lucas Hedges has worked with various powerful men in Hollywood who have faced accusations of sexual abuse, such as Louis C.K. and Armie Hammer. While not Hedges’ fault, some feel that working with these controversial figures deserves criticism.

By voluntarily working alongside alleged abusers, he opens himself up to condemnation or guilt by association from those concerned with justice and systemic abuse in the industry. This has soured some people towards Hedges due to the company he keeps.

Perceived Lack of Star Power or Likeability

While clearly talented, Lucas Hedges to some lacks the innate charisma, star power, or likeability to become a major A-list star long-term. He does not command the screen or light up interviews with the magnetism fans expect from today’s mega-celebrities.

Some chalk this up to his low-key personality or Everyman looks and presence. Regardless of the reasons, his perceived lack of breakthrough star power and likeability factor limits the enthusiasm some have for him compared to other young actors.

Represents the Pretentious Film Industry

On a cultural level, Lucas Hedges in some ways has become symbolic of everything certain segments of the population hate about the insulated, pretentious film industry and its excesses. To them, he epitomizes smug, elitist indie films geared towards intellectuals.

These groups likely would dislike Hedges no matter what because he represents the detached, liberal Hollywood bubble they feel looks down on them or their values. So their animosity stems more from his symbolic status in the culture war than anything personal.

Conclusion: A Complex Combination of Factors

In the end, Lucas Hedges appears to provoke hatred and animosity from some demographics due to a complex combination of factors related to his privileged background, early success, acting style, film associations, enigmatic persona, and symbolic status as a representative of elite indie filmmaking.

While many of these criticisms seem unfair or overly harsh, they provide insight into how a rising young actor triggers resentment. Hedges’ career provides an illuminating case study of how backlash bubbles up when someone receives huge opportunities unaffected by obstacles facing most newcomers.

As he grows older and matures in both his craft and life experience, Hedges will likely evolve into a more complex actor and person. This may gradually nullify many current critiques centered around his youth and naivete. How he navigates the coming decades will determine if the hatred merely represents a passing wave of tall poppy syndrome or points to deeper flaws hampering his artistic potential and likeability.

Hedges remains a singular talent and stands out among many bland young stars today through his subtle magnetism and commitment to quality projects. With time to grow into himself, he can potentially overcome shallow backlash by letting his stellar work speak for itself.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hatred Towards Lucas Hedges

Why is Lucas Hedges so hated online and on social media?

Much of the hatred stems from perceived privilege, lack of struggle, overhype, and double standards favoring those with connections. His rapid, unimpeded path to fame rubs many without his advantages the wrong way.

Is the hatred towards Hedges warranted or fair?

Some criticisms are excessive considering his talent and young age, but examining the privilege debate exposes valid concerns about bias in Hollywood and society. Intense jealousy is inherent to the phenomenon of “tall poppy syndrome” targeting the successful.

Does Hedges have a reputation for being arrogant or entitled?

Not overtly based on interviews and profiles, but his quiet confidence mixed with an air of artistic seriousness strikes some as insufferable pretension or entitlement characteristic of the elite indie film scene.

What are the main accusations around Hedges’ acting skill and style?

Many find his subdued delivery one-note and lacking emotional range. The characters he plays are often seen as brooding archetypes rather than nuanced people.

How does his family background feed into perceptions of privilege and nepotism?

Being born to a famous director and actress undoubtedly provided valuable connections and access to the industry unavailable to those less fortunate. This breeds inevitable resentment around perceived nepotism.

How does Lucas Hedges feel about the backlash against him?

He seems relatively unaffected publicly, but in the past has spoken about battling insecurity early in his career and fearing he didn’t deserve his success. The hatred likely exacerbates these doubts.

Why don’t some people find Hedges likeable or relatable?

His shy offscreen persona lacks conventional star power. He also remains guarded about his personal life and sexuality rather than engendering intimacy with the public like many young stars.

Will Hedges be able to overcome the hatred as he matures and grows as an actor?

If he continues developing his craft and takes on more complex roles, he can force reassessments from critics. Time and life experience may also render his youthful privilege objections moot.

Does Hedges take on roles in pretentious films just to get critical acclaim?

While often introspective and artsy, his indie films come from respected directors. Hedges seems to genuinely seek challenging work rather than fame or mainstream success.

What are some early examples of movies that earned Hedges praise and recognition?

His performances in Manchester by the Sea, Lady Bird, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri catapulted the young actor to fame and instant critical acclaim.