History YMMV / TheFanatic

* MemeticMutation: The film's [[{{Narm}} ridiculously]] insensitive portrayal of the autistic Moose has led to some viewers claiming that Creator/JohnTravolta [[Film/TropicThunder "went full retard"]].

* {{Narm}}: The movie is filled with these.
** Nobody seems to be disturbed by Moose's looks and mannerisms. Instead, people treat him like he's a nervous kid and not a creepy stalker.

** After [[spoiler:Moose kills Hunter's maid]], nobody seems to notice [[spoiler:the maid's dead body]] lying out in the middle of Hunter's backyard for days, not even Hunter himself.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: Though we are intended to view Hunter as the victim of the unstable Moose, the film also presents him as needlessly mean and hostile even before Moose's breakdown.

** "I can't talk too long, I gotta poo."
** "Watch out! Heeeere's Moosey!"

* SpiritualAdaptation: This movie can be seen as a poor man's version of Creator/StephenKing's ''Literature/{{Misery}}''.

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: It's hard for the audience to sympathize with either Moose (for his stalking tendencies towards Hunter and what he does to him) or Hunter (for being an all-around {{Jerkass}}).

* MemeticMutation: The film's [[{{Narm}} ridiculously]] [[UnfortunateImplications insensitive]] portrayal of the autistic Moose has led to some viewers claiming that Creator/JohnTravolta [[Film/TropicThunder "went full retard"]].

* UnfortunateImplications: Many have accused the movie of making fun of autistic people and portraying them in a very unfair and demeaning way. See UnacceptableTargets.

** In the climax, [[spoiler:Hunter tricks Moose into letting down his guard and attacks him, shooting off his fingers and throwing him down the stairs. Rather than simply escape or call the police when Moose is incapacitated, Hunter proceeds to further maim and beat the now defenceless Moose, including tearing out one of his eyes, with his expressions and body language even implying that Hunter is ''[[{{Sadist}} enjoying]]'' seeing Moose in such pain. That being said, the movie doesn't entirely condone Hunter brutally hurting Moose, since Hunter is [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone visibly horrified by what he's done]] to Moose shortly after attacking him and is even nice enough to [[PetTheDog wrap Moose's hand in a bandage]]. It's also implied that Hunter's guilt and remorse for hurting Moose is the reason he allows himself to be arrested near the end when the police arrive, to atone for what he did.]]

* RonTheDeathEater: Hunter Dunbar is treated by viewers as a complete {{Jerkass}} who deserved his fate at the end. However, many people forget that Hunter isn't a total asshole, since he is shown to be a caring and protective father towards and his son, and the only person he is a jerk towards is Moose, and even then it's because Moose keeps stalking him. Hunter does start off reasonable towards Moose, asking him nicely to leave him be, and only becomes increasingly nastier because Moose won't stop harassing him.

* MemeticMutation: The film's [[{{Narm}} ridiculously insensitive]] portrayal of the autistic Moose has led to some viewers claiming that Creator/JohnTravolta [[Film/TropicThunder "went full retard"]].

** While still desperate and pathetic, Moose's first attempt to get Hunter's autograph in the alley is ultimately harmless compared to his later actions, though Hunter is still rude and dismissive towards him and even threatens physical violence against Moose with very little provocation, while actually giving Moose his autograph would have taken far less effort [[note]] Though to be fair, in Hunter's defense, Moose was intruding in a private moment where Hunter was having a personal conversation with his angry ex-wife, and Moose was bugging him for autograph instead of being patient, which understandably really rubbed Hunter the wrong.[[/note]]

** In the climax, [[spoiler:Hunter tricks Moose into letting down his guard and attacks him, shooting off his fingers and throwing him down the stairs. Rather than simply escape or call the police when Moose is incapacitated, Hunter proceeds to further maim and beat the now defenceless Moose, including tearing out one of his eyes, with his expressions and body language even implying that Hunter is ''[[{{Sadist}} enjoying]]'' seeing Moose in such pain. That being said, the movie doesn't entirely condone Hunter brutally hurting Moose, since Hunter is [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone visibly horrified by what he's done]] to Moose shortly after attacking him and is even nice enough to [[PetTheDog wrap Moose's hand in a bandage]].]] It's also implied that Hunter's guilt and remorse for hurting Moose is the reason he allows himself to be arrested near the end when the police arrive, to atone for what he did.

** While still desperate and pathetic, Moose's first attempt to get Hunter's autograph in the alley is ultimately harmless compared to his later actions, though Hunter is still rude and dismissive towards him and even threatens physical violence against Moose with very little provocation, while actually giving Moose his autograph would have taken far less effort [[note]] Though to be fair, in Hunter's defense, Moose was intruding in a private moment where Hunter was having a personal conversation with his angry ex-wife, and Moose was bugging him for autograph instead of being patient, whcih understandably really rubbed Hunter the wrong.[[/note]]
** In the climax, [[spoiler:Hunter tricks Moose into letting down his guard and attacks him, shooting off his fingers and throwing him down the stairs. Rather than simply escape or call the police when Moose is incapacitated, Hunter proceeds to further maim and beat the now defenceless Moose, including tearing out one of his eyes, with his expressions and body language even implying that Hunter is ''[[{{Sadist}} enjoying]]'' seeing Moose in such pain. That being said, Hunter is [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone visibly horrified by what he's done]] to Moose shortly after attacking him and is even nice enough to [[PetTheDog wrap Moose's hand in a bandage]].]]

** While still desperate and pathetic, Moose's first attempt to get Hunter's autograph in the alley is ultimately harmless compared to his later actions, though Hunter is still rude and dismissive towards him and even threatens physical violence against Moose with very little provocation, while actually giving Moose his autograph would have taken far less effort [[note]] Though to be fair, in Hunter's defense, Moose was intruding in a private moment where Hunter was having a personal conversation with his disappointed wife.[[/note]]

* SpiritualAdaptation: This movie can be seen as a poor man's version of Creator/StephenKing's Literature/{{Misery}}.

** While still desperate and pathetic, Moose's first attempt to get Hunter's autograph in the alley is ultimately harmless compared to his later actions, though Hunter is still rude and dismissive towards him and even threatens physical violence against Moose with very little provocation, while actually giving Moose his autograph would have taken far less effort.

* WTHCastingAgency: Creator/JohnTravolta as a mentally challenged stalker? Whose idea was that?

* NightmareRetardant: Moose is supposed to be an unsettling example of how far fans can take their fanaticism, and the music and the direction is obviously trying to push that narrative. However, rather than portraying him as this crazed and psychotic stalker he is advertised as, the film instead portrays Moose as a buffoonish and child-like simpleton similar to Film/{{Borat}}. That, combined with his looks (especially that ridiculous looking mullet), John Travolta's performance of him and even his name all make it impossible to take the character seriously.

* UnfortunateImplications: Many have accused the movie of portraying autistic people in a very unfair and demeaning way. See UnacceptableTargets.

* NightmareRetardant: Moose is supposed to be an unsettling example of how far fans can take their fanaticism, and the music and the direction is obviously trying to push that narrative. However, rather than portraying him as this crazed and psychotic stalker he is advertised as, the film instead portrays Moose as a buffoonish and child-like simpleton similar to Film/{{Borat}}. That, combined with his looks (especially that ridiculous looking mullet), John Travolta's performance of him and even his name (Moose? Seriously?) all make it impossible to take the character seriously.

* SpiritualAdaptation: This movie can be seen as a poor man's version of [[Creator/StephenKing Stephen King]]'s Literature/{{Misery}}.
* TookTheBadFilmSeriously: Looking past the over-the-top performance he gives, John Travolta really looks like he's genuinely trying to portray a creepy fanatic who is supposedly on the autism spectrum.
** To underscore this, Travolta has been campaigning for him to get an Oscar nomination for his performance. Ironically, he wound up ''winning'' the [[UsefulNotes/GoldenRaspberryAward Razzie]] for [[MedalOfDishonor Worst Actor]] for his performance in this film as well as the movie ''Trading Paint''[[note]]which performed only slightly better at the box office, and currently holds the distinction of having a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes[[/note]].

* UncertainAudience: The movie can't seem to decide if it wants to be a comedy or a serious horror-thriller. It's clearly intended to be the latter, however there a lot of scenes involving Moose that would not feel out of place in a comedy film, such scenes include Moose dressing up as an English police man making a fool of himself, and overall just behaving like a buffoon with the mind of a child throughout the whole movie, as opposed to being this menacing and unstable fanatic he is advertised as, thus ruining the tone of the movie.

** In the climax Hunter tricks Moose into letting down his guard and attacks him, shooting off his fingers and throwing him down the stairs. Rather than simply escape or call the police when Moose is incapacitated, Hunter proceeds to further maim and beat the now defenceless Moose, including tearing out one of his eyes, with his expressions and body language even implying that Hunter is ''[[{{Sadist}} enjoying]]'' seeing Moose in such pain. That said, Hunter is [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone visibly horrified by what he's done]] to Moose shortly after attacking him and is even nice enough to [[PetTheDog wrap Moose's hand in a bandage]].

'''Or:''' Hunter to just shoot and kill Moose. UsefulNotes/{{California}} has Stand Your Ground laws[[note]]both at the time of updating this page, and at the time the movie is set[[/note]], and this is clearly a case where he would be in the right of said law[[note]]aside from the fact that Moose had killed Hunter's maid earlier (granted, there isn't any indication Hunter knows that, but still), Moose is technically breaking and entering, and is clearly a threat to Hunter and his son[[/note]], plus given how Hunter has treated Moose so far, it's clearly not like he would have that much of a problem pulling the trigger. Then again, Hunter is both horrified and remorseful for blowing off Moose's fingers and stabbing his left eye, which may have something to with why he chose not to end Moose's life.\\

** To underscore this, Travolta has been campaigning for him to get an Oscar nomination for his performance. Ironically, he wound up ''winning'' the [[UsefulNotes/GoldenRaspberryAward Razzie]] for [[MedalOfDishonor Worst Actor]].

'''Or:''' Hunter to just shoot and kill Moose. UsefulNotes/{{California}} has Stand Your Ground laws[[note]]both at the time of updating this page, and at the time the movie is set[[/note]], and this is clearly a case where he would be in the right of said law[[note]]aside from the fact that Moose had killed Hunter's maid earlier (granted, there isn't any indication Hunter knows that, but still), Moose is technically breaking and entering, and is clearly a threat to Hunter and his son[[/note]], plus given how Hunter has treated Moose so far, it's clearly not like he would have that much of a problem pulling the trigger. Then again, Hunter horrified and remorseful for blowing off Moose's fingers and stabbing his left eye, which may have something to with why he chose not to end Moose's life.\\

'''Or:''' Hunter to just shoot and kill Moose. UsefulNotes/{{California}} has Stand Your Ground laws[[note]]both at the time of updating this page, and at the time the movie is set[[/note]], and this is clearly a case where he would be in the right of said law[[note]]aside from the fact that Moose had killed Hunter's maid earlier (granted, there isn't any indication Hunter knows that, but still), Moose is technically breaking and entering, and is clearly a threat to Hunter and his son[[/note]], plus given how Hunter has treated Moose so far, it's clearly not like he would have that much of a problem pulling the trigger.\\

* SpiritualSuccessor: This movie can be seen as a poor man's version of [[Creator/StephenKing Stephen King's]] Literature/{{Misery}}.

** To underscore this, Travolta has been campaigning for him to get an Oscar nomination for his performance.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: Though we are intended to view Hunter as the victim of the unstable Moose, the film also presents him as a selfish and unrepentant {{Jerkass}} even before Moose's breakdown.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: Though we are intended to view Hunter as the victim of the unstable Moose, the film also presents him as an selfish and unrepentant {{Jerkass}} even before Moose's breakdown.