'Little Mermaid' early reactions are in

And could Taylor Sheridan end the strike?

What to know

• Early reactions to The Little Mermaid are very mixed… This ain’t good. Early viewers are calling the movie “charming,” “endearing,” and “magical,” they’re praising Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy, and some are even saying it’s one of the better live-action Disney remakes. They’re also throwing out words like “uneven,” “disjointed,” and “paint-by-numbers,” criticizing its visuals and saying it can’t escape the legacy of the original. Early reactions are usually higher on the movie than the actual reviews as Disney tends to sweeten its premiere audiences with people who might be inclined to like the movie. Meaning mixed early reactions will certainly lead to middling-to-negative reviews. My bet is 40% on RottenTomatoes. 🧜🏾‍♀️

Upgrade to a full Pop Culture Brain Daily subscription for $1/month or $6/year.