1336-1340

Chapter 1336: The Depth of the Soul

“…So, can we understand it this way? In the movie, Clementine’s hairstyle serves as a marker for the timeline, and the change in hair color is a crucial key to organizing the chronological order of the film. At the same time, it also acts as a barometer of the characters’ emotional states—not just Clementine’s impulsive whims.”

Click-clack. Words spilled out like a flood.

Blair poured out the thoughts racing through his mind in one breath. His chest rose and fell lightly, filled with excitement and joy, unable to contain his emotions.

Beside him, Karen looked at Blair with admiration written all over her face.

On the big screen, Kate let out a soft laugh.

“Wow, clearly, someone has been watching the movie very closely. That deserves a medal.”

“But…”

“As for your question, I can’t give you a direct answer. I can neither confirm nor deny it. I believe this is one of the joys the film leaves for the audience.”

“This isn’t an easy movie to understand. Trust me, when I first read the script, I had no idea what was going on. Charlie Kaufman always has a way of making us feel stupid with his wild imagination.”

“But once you truly understand it, it becomes a fascinating film.”

“I think the answer to your question is hidden within the movie itself. I encourage you all to explore and analyze it for yourselves.”

“Hey, Anson, how did I do promoting the film?”

On the screen, Anson’s icon flashed for a moment. “Gryffindor, one hundred points.”

Laughter erupted throughout the room.

But Blair wasn’t discouraged. He eagerly followed up with another question.

“Anson, may I ask you one more question?”

At the front, Ripley picked up the microphone to intervene. “Each person is only allowed one question.”

But Anson didn’t mind. “Ripley, it’s fine. One more question won’t hurt. Otherwise, the audience might think I didn’t understand the movie and am deliberately avoiding questions.”

Laughter filled the room again as Anson asked, “So, what’s your question? Hopefully, it’s not too difficult.”

Blair had initially prepared several questions about the film’s puzzles, but after a moment’s thought, he realized Kate was right. They should analyze and discuss the movie themselves rather than chase a definitive answer.

A film shouldn’t have just one correct answer. Every viewer holds their own interpretation in their heart, and that’s the unique charm of Charlie Kaufman’s films.

With that in mind, Blair changed his approach and asked, “What’s your take on the ending?”

“Do you believe Joel and Clementine should give each other another chance? Do you think they’re doomed to repeat the same mistakes?”

Shhh—

The entire Angelika Film Center suddenly fell silent. Even though the big screen displayed nothing at that moment, it felt as if thousands of pairs of eyes were all focused on it.

The most challenging, complex, and open-ended question had been thrown into the air.

Soft chuckles could even be heard through the speakers.

Anson smirked, “Wow, Blair, bullseye. Right on target.”

Hahaha.

At that, Kate, Kristen, Elijah, and the others burst into laughter. The Angelika Film Center was filled with joyful energy.

Blair felt his cheeks flush, a faint blush creeping up in embarrassment, yet his eyes remained bright as he looked at the screen. “I believe you can answer this.”

Anson took a deep breath. “I think this is a great question because, for a long time—even to this day—I’m still thinking about it.”

“From a rational perspective, I believe they will repeat the same mistakes.”

Gasp.

The audience’s collective inhale was audible—so surprised, so stunned. Even Blair wasn’t an exception.

He had somewhat anticipated this answer, but he hadn’t expected Anson to state it so directly, so firmly, and so matter-of-factly.

For a moment, he was caught off guard.

Silence fell over the room.

“Rekindled love. A prodigal’s return. A fateful reunion. These are the stories we love—the idea that, after all the twists and turns, after all the missed chances, they still find each other. That in the end, they are each other’s soulmates, the ones meant to be. It’s perhaps the most romantic and beautiful thing we can imagine.”

“But what about reality?”

“No matter how many sweet memories they share, no matter how intense and passionate their love is, the fundamental conflicts between them remain unresolved and, perhaps, unresolvable.”

“It’s not about the other person. It’s about oneself.”

“Your personality, your values, your worldview, how you handle problems—if those things haven’t changed, then when the passion fades and life returns to the mundane, the relationship is bound to fall apart in the same way.”

“No one can change that.”

His words were unhurried, his tone calm but tinged with a quiet resignation.

The entire space seemed to fall into a deep hush at the sound of Anson’s voice.

Only the wind could be heard, whistling, howling, a lonely and desolate sound, leaving everyone a bit lost and unsure.

“But…”

Anson’s tone shifted.

“Like Charlie, I believe this is the right ending for the film—not because a romantic movie must have a happily-ever-after, but because we are still contemplating the nature of love.”

“Just like Joel and Clementine’s final conversation—they know the challenges they face, they understand they might repeat the same mistakes, and yet, they still take that step toward each other.”

“I believe that is what makes love so moving.”

“Even when you know he’s bad for you, even when you know the relationship will only bring pain, even when you know rushing in will end in disaster, even when you know falling for this person is a mistake—still, in the final battle between reason and emotion, emotion wins.”

“It’s a weakness—one that makes humans foolish, fragile, and vulnerable. But it’s precisely this weakness that proves we are real. We are not artificial intelligence, not machines, not just a string of numbers.”

“Our weaknesses make us human. Otherwise, who would want to be nothing more than a biological organism that eats, sleeps, and exists without any greater pursuit?”

His words were lighthearted, laced with wit and humor, yet carried a depth of wisdom and philosophy.

The air felt charged with thought, the room filled with the collision of ideas.

The movie itself was beautiful and moving, but at this moment, the conversation—the exchange of thoughts—was what truly made it complete. Not because Anson had said anything particularly groundbreaking, but because his words ignited deeper reflections, expanding the film’s meaning beyond the screen and into the realm of ideas.

This—this was the most captivating part.

*(End of Chapter)*

*Chapter 1337: A Sleepless Night*

"...Let’s bring our focus back and return to the movie’s ending."

"Setting aside rational considerations and weighing pros and cons, I have always believed that the most beautiful and moving part of love lies in this—

Knowing that we may end up with the same fate, knowing that we will get hurt, that we will hurt each other, that after brief happiness comes prolonged torment and suffering—yet still having the courage to embrace each other."

"It’s not just about giving each other a 'fresh start.' It’s more about cherishing those beautiful, happy memories and relishing the parts of love that make our hearts race and stay in our minds."

"It’s like the half-glass-of-water theory."

"Some see happiness, while others see pain. Love, more often than not, belongs to the brave who dare to try."

"To love is a skill. To believe in love is as well."

For a long, long time, he had lost that skill—

To love and to trust. For someone standing on the edge of an abyss, these were luxuries.

In today’s society, people have grown colder and more distant. Trust between individuals is becoming thinner, fading away, slipping irreversibly into the void. That’s why, twenty years later, people crudely and dismissively label others as "love-struck fools," seeing it as sheer stupidity.

Utterly hopeless stupidity.

Is being "love-struck" foolish? Undoubtedly, 100%, yes. This viewpoint captures the blind, impulsive, and naïve aspects of love.

But looking at it from another perspective—when did people start refusing to believe in love? When did they stop believing that interpersonal relationships could harbor a simple, pure, passionate bond with the power to burn like a moth to a flame? When did they begin using reason to armor their vulnerability, mocking, attacking, and scorning emotions as if they were an Achilles’ heel?

If we think about it carefully, being "love-struck" is indeed foolish. But beyond that foolishness, after being hurt again and again, still choosing to believe in love, still being willing to trust, still holding on to faith in romance, beauty, and kindness, and still possessing the capacity to love and be loved—that takes courage.

In some ways, it’s brave.

Humans, like animals, have an instinct to trust. In youth, trust is given easily. But as we grow and step into society, experiencing more hurt, betrayal, and ugliness, we arm ourselves with layers of armor, shielding ourselves from the possibility of getting hurt again.

So, we stop trusting strangers. We stop believing in love. At its core, this is a self-defense mechanism, a reflection of how society has evolved in the internet age.

Anson deeply understood this. He not only witnessed the process but also experienced the pain of betrayal and loss of trust firsthand.

Yet, precisely because of this, after enduring life’s hardships and receiving a second chance, Anson finally learned to let go of the past wounds and shackles—

Most importantly, he learned to forgive himself.

The beauty and uniqueness of a story like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind lie in this: It’s not just about Joel and Clementine. They are merely the core through which modern society’s reflections on love are explored—the doubts, the hesitations, the struggles, and the confusion.

The true essence of the movie isn’t in offering a neatly wrapped happy ending, but in raising a question, a doubt, a contemplation.

"That’s why I believe that those who dare to pursue love, embrace love, and continue to believe in love even after being hurt—they are the brave ones."

"Charlie Kaufman left us with this ending not because he necessarily believes in love, but because he believes in courage."

"At the same time, he left us with a topic to explore, to discuss, to examine—perhaps in hopes of finding an answer from our reactions."

"I feel the same way."

The entire room fell into a profound silence.

Only Anson’s voice resonated through the fierce winds, stirring waves of thought in everyone’s minds. Yet, against all odds, a moment of peace was found amidst the storm—

This is the power of cinema.

Yes, entertainment, relaxation, and escapism are one side of cinema’s charm. The significance of blockbuster films should never be overlooked. At the same time, art, philosophy, and deep thinking also define cinema, making intricate and obscure arthouse films equally essential.

Beyond that, there exists a different kind of film—not overly profound yet not entirely frivolous either. It does not demand that we contemplate the meaning of life with grave intensity, yet it is not mere mindless visual garbage. These films carve a small opening into reality, allowing us to glimpse into life, into truth, into existence, embarking on an exploration.

They give life warmth and weight.

As for Anson, what he said was not the correct answer, nor the only answer—just an invitation for discussion.

"Hey, Blair, thank you for your question."

Anson spoke.

Blair’s eyes warmed instantly. She stubbornly lifted her chin and responded loudly, "You’re welcome."

But as soon as she finished speaking, she started clapping.

Alone, defiantly, standing tall without a hint of embarrassment or hesitation, she clapped with all her might—

Thanking Anson for answering the question, for opening up his heart, for allowing them a glimpse into his wisdom and thoughts, for creating such a piece of work.

And now, they finally understood why Anson received such praise at Cannes.

It wasn’t because of fashion, nor because of his band, and not even because of The Elephant. It was simply because of Anson—an actor who loves film and thinking, navigating the cinematic world with his humble strength.

While the Academy’s old scholars arrogantly and rigidly reduced actors to decorative labels, while the media incessantly fixated on the "20-million club" and the power hierarchy of Hollywood, while businessmen like those at Sony-Columbia tried to reduce actors to mere numbers—what was the eye of this storm doing?

Thinking.

Not just about film, but about life, about existence, about the role of an actor, about the essence of being human.

That heart, beating for the love of cinema, continued to shine brightly.

He was not just a symbol, a label, or a keyword. He was a real, thinking, and feeling being—an individual with a soul beyond the surface.

Who could possibly resist such an Anson?

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Karen was the first to stand up, joining Blair in applause. But she soon realized—they were not alone.

One, two, three, four, five...

In the blink of an eye, a sea of people filled every corner of the room.

The applause gradually built up—not wild or frenzied, but filled with sincerity that could be seen in every pair of eyes. Genuine admiration and heartfelt respect.

This, more than the applause itself, was what truly mattered.

Without exception, every single person in the room stood up, offering their tribute through applause. A simple yet pure passion erupted, evolving into a storm.

(End of chapter)

Chapter 1338: The Discussion Continues

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Applause erupted as the post-screening discussion took place.

Clap, clap, clap!

The excitement intensified, growing stronger with each passing moment. Amid radiant smiles and sincere gazes, a wave of ecstatic energy surged forth with unbelievable intensity.

Who would have thought that after the movie ended, the audience would become even more excited and exhilarated?

This was clearly something Anson hadn’t anticipated.

“Hey, calm down, calm down.”

“You really shouldn’t keep spoiling me like this. My arrogance and egotism have already tested half of Hollywood’s patience. At the very least, let me retain the respect and support of the other half. I don’t want everyone talking behind my back.”

With just one remark, laughter erupted, merging with the applause and whistles. The entire Angelika Film Center was once again engulfed in a storm of enthusiasm.

Not just the audience—Kate, Kristen, Mark, and the others joined in the commotion. The audio captured the excitement—whistles, howls, table-slapping. Even without seeing the scene, one could feel the unrestrained passion.

The entire venue was boiling with energy.

As the night deepened…

Kate had to take care of her baby, and Anson needed rest for the next day’s shoot. Though everyone was reluctant to leave, the surprise post-screening discussion couldn’t last forever. Eventually, it had to come to an end. Amid sighs of regret, the big screen dimmed, and the theater lights gradually brightened.

The screening had officially ended.

But surprisingly, the audience at Angelika Film Center didn’t immediately disperse.

They wanted more.

Everything had been too wonderful, too euphoric, leaving everyone intoxicated by the moment. To let the night end so abruptly felt like a shame—no one was in a hurry to go home.

If alcohol had been involved, this would have been the perfect time for round two—bars, pizza, fried chicken, clubs—so many options.

Unfortunately, there was none.

So, people simply stood in place, gathering in small groups, engaging in animated discussions. It wasn’t a perfect continuation of the night, but it was still enjoyable in its own way.

The film was worth discussing.

The post-screening discussion was worth discussing.

With adrenaline still rushing through their veins, no one was ready to leave.

Ripley stared at the scene before her, a mix of shock and excitement on her face. She couldn’t help but question her own perception and turned to Lisa.

“Is this my imagination, or are there even more people now?”

Lisa, equally exhilarated, nodded rapidly. “Yeah, yeah! It really feels like the crowd is growing. I just saw more people coming in from the subway station.”

Despite the massive crowd, everything remained orderly—no chaos, just an electrifying atmosphere that kept the chill of the night at bay. The Angelika Film Center felt like Atlantis, submerged in the depths of New York’s night yet still lively and vibrant.

Lisa could feel an overwhelming surge of passion in her heart but struggled to put it into words. “Ripley, I finally understand—again—why I chose this job.”

A passion. A drive. A relentless pursuit fueled by pure enthusiasm.

Ripley’s lips curled into a smile. “It’s for moments like this, right?”

Lisa lifted her head to look at Ripley and, after a brief hesitation, blurted out, “Do you think Joel and Clementine should give it a second chance? If it were you…”

Tonight, they weren’t just organizers of the screening—they were also audience members. The film’s emotions and lingering impact were still rippling through their minds.

Meanwhile, the crowd outside the Angelika Film Center continued to swell.

One by one, people arrived, asking around to understand what was happening.

“I had planned to come to the screening, but work got in the way. Now that I’m finally free, I just had to come and see what all the excitement was about.”

“I heard the screening was insane! I could hear the cheers from five blocks away. I couldn’t resist—I had to check it out myself.”

“You haven’t heard? The NYPD has deployed extra officers. The traffic congestion here is way worse than expected. Half of Manhattan knows what’s happening now.”

“Did I make it in time? I just heard that Anson made a surprise post-screening appearance, and I rushed over.”

“Where’s Anson? Is he still here? I took the subway and ran all the way here because the streets are completely gridlocked.”

One after another, for different reasons, people kept coming—all converging toward the Angelika Film Center.

Even more amusing, some people showed up at the wrong event entirely.

“Party! Party! Woo! Wait… is there a party here?”

“This is the St. Patrick’s Day party, right?”

From every direction, the crowd surged forward. Even though the screening had ended, people kept flocking in, and the excitement refused to die down.

The NYPD was under immense pressure, forced to dispatch more officers to manage the situation—not just the blocked traffic but also the rapidly growing crowd.

The special screening of ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ had already warranted a police presence for crowd control. However, since neither Anson nor Kate was expected to attend in person, authorities had assumed the crowd size would be manageable.

They never expected this.

There were no official attendance figures, but those who experienced the event firsthand estimated that at least 10,000 people had gathered at the Angelika Film Center that night—if not more.

Without a doubt, this was the most successful and lively film screening event outside of a major film festival in recent years. The “Anson x Angelika Film Center” outdoor screening turned into the biggest surprise of the year, shaking up the film scene in early March.

Even after the screening ended, the waves of attendees didn’t stop.

Or, to put it more accurately, those who had just learned about the event were only now arriving—the real party began after the screening was over.

Amid the bustling crowd, there was one man who had zero interest in movies or Anson.

It was that guy—the one who had been stuck in the gridlocked traffic, utterly exasperated.

His girlfriend had stormed out of the passenger seat, vanishing into the overwhelming sea of people.

He wanted to just drive away and leave her, but he knew exactly what the consequences of that would be.

So, to avoid any future disasters, he had no choice but to park in an underground garage he had painstakingly found, then rush back to search for her.

Looking at the massive crowd, he felt a headache coming on.

Finding someone here was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

But he had to try. Gritting his teeth, he started methodically scanning the streets.

Luckily, the crowd wasn’t constantly shifting, and the gathering area remained fixed. A systematic search should work.

Then, against all odds, he spotted a familiar silhouette.

He found her?

He could hardly believe his luck. Without hesitation, he dashed forward, fearing she might disappear into the crowd again.

He reached out and tapped her shoulder.

She turned around.

Relief washed over him—he hadn’t mistaken her for someone else. “You really just ran off alone like that—”

Before he could finish his frustrated rant, he noticed something.

Her face was streaked with tears.

Standing there amid the noise and chaos, she looked utterly heartbroken.

In the overwhelming excitement and energy, she somehow seemed even more alone than ever.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 1339: A Surprise Breakthrough

Those eyes, filled with tears, sorrowful and lonely, seemed to embody a deep sense of helplessness. It was as if an invisible force gripped the ankles, dragging downward, pulling into the abyss.

The man froze. Words caught in his throat. A sudden, inexplicable sadness clutched his heart, hitting his chest like a heavy blow.

Countless thoughts swirled on the tip of his tongue, but in the end, he simply sighed softly.

"I'm sorry."

The woman, for once, did not respond with her usual sharpness. Her gaze was conflicted as she looked at the man, unsure of what to say. Finally, she spoke, her voice thick with emotion.

"I want to watch this movie."

The man was taken aback and instinctively retorted, "What's so great about it?"

The moment he spoke, he regretted it. Quickly correcting himself, he said, "Alright, we’ll go to the theater tomorrow."

The woman swallowed back the words she had been about to say. Instead of arguing further, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

The man didn’t understand, but he still followed closely behind.

Meanwhile, Blair was animatedly discussing the film with some newly made friends, gesturing enthusiastically. She was convinced that Anson’s choice of this movie was no coincidence.

However, some disagreed. They believed Anson was too young to truly understand the brilliance of Charlie Kaufman’s screenplay and assumed his agent had picked it for him. Still, they acknowledged one thing—

They trusted Anson’s judgment.

Blair passionately defended Anson, trying to convince them that he was more than they assumed. Even Kate and Kristen had started seeing him in a new light.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, Blair noticed two figures subtly squeezing into the group on her right. Instinctively, she turned and nodded in greeting.

The woman immediately spoke up eagerly. "Do you think this is a comedy or a tragedy?"

Everyone paused. How exactly should this film be categorized?

Blair thought for a moment before responding, "The best comedies always have tragedy at their core—just like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton."

Whoa!

A wave of excitement rippled through the group.

As the night deepened, the party at Angelika Film Center showed no signs of ending. The celebration of cinema had no finish line.

And it kept going.

*"‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ ignites movie lovers’ passion, turning into a celebration."*

*"A festival for cinephiles, a party for film fans—‘Eternal Sunshine’ debuts to applause and cheers."*

*"New York’s Sleepless Night—Anson Wood delivers yet another surprise. Maybe we should start expecting this instead of calling it a surprise."*

*"Angelika Film Center reaffirms its status as a sacred place for New York’s art film enthusiasts, delivering an unforgettable open-air screening experience."*

*"Everyone is talking about ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’!"*

*"Traffic jammed, an all-night frenzy—what exactly happened at Angelika Film Center last night?"*

*"Tens of thousands celebrate! ‘Eternal Sunshine’ extends the romance of St. Patrick’s Day."*

*"Highly anticipated, yet it still exceeded expectations—‘Eternal Sunshine’ lights up New York’s night!"*

*"A one-of-a-kind experience, Anson Wood surprises again."*

*"A grand surprise! Anson Wood and Kate Winslet, along with the cast, stunned audiences with a live Q&A after the screening, sending fans into a frenzy."*

Praise. More praise. Nothing but praise.

All of North America’s attention was suddenly fixated on this moment.

Even though the ‘Eternal Sunshine’ team had no intention of directly competing with Dawn of the Dead, and journalists had no plans to compare the two films—since their releases were entirely different—

It still happened.

The Dawn of the Dead premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles generated plenty of buzz. Remaking a classic always draws attention, regardless of its quality.

But it wasn’t enough. Not even close.

The media coverage for Dawn of the Dead was completely overshadowed.

It was an avalanche. An unstoppable flood.

Journalists once again contradicted themselves. They wouldn’t admit it, but their actions spoke louder than words. While publicly criticizing and questioning Anson, they were simultaneously tracking his every move, rushing to cover his success, desperate not to miss out on the hype.

And it wasn’t just about quantity—quality mattered too.

The Dawn of the Dead premiere had been traditional, uneventful, and frankly uninspired. Universal Pictures had even refused to turn the event into a Halloween-style celebration, where fans could have dressed up as zombies and partied together.

With little to report, the media had nothing to work with. Even if they wanted to hype it up, there simply wasn’t much to say.

In stark contrast, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was brimming with headlines. Every aspect of the event offered an interesting angle. A single moment could spark thousands of words of coverage, with dozens of outlets exploring unique perspectives. One by one, they showcased their creativity, producing in-depth reports that pushed journalistic quality to new heights.

And then—something unbelievable happened.

Originally meant for a limited release, targeting cinephiles and indie film lovers, Eternal Sunshine somehow broke through to the mainstream.

One of the most unexpected and surreal signs?

The next day, groups of young people flocked to Angelika Film Center—not to watch the movie, but to take photos in front of the massive Eternal Sunshine poster.

Yes, just to take pictures.

They didn’t seem particularly interested in the film itself. They simply posed in front of the giant promotional banner, snapped photos, and checked in on social media.

And… that was it.

Ripley witnessed this bizarre phenomenon, utterly baffled. He couldn’t comprehend what these young people were thinking. Was this just the new trend?

Had the times changed too fast for him to keep up?

Zack Snyder was left speechless.

He had waited for this moment for so long. His first feature film, after years of hard work, was finally premiering. Last night’s grand red carpet event had filled him with confidence—this was supposed to be the beginning of his bright future.

Early that morning, he eagerly grabbed a copy of the Los Angeles Times, anticipating his name in print for the first time. His hands trembled with excitement as he flipped through the pages, his palms sweating.

And then—

*"Anson Wood lights up New York’s sleepless night, continuing his undefeated streak."*

Zack froze.

Anson? Why was Anson on the front page of the sixth edition? What about his film?

Frantically flipping through the paper, he finally found a tiny section buried in a corner.

*"‘Dawn of the Dead’ remake premieres last night."*

Wait. That’s it?

No praise, no highlights—not even his name?

Just a single dry sentence. That was all?

Zack stared in disbelief, rereading the blurb. Not only was his name missing, but the article only referred to him as a “new director” and briefly mentioned that the remake had sparked both anticipation and skepticism.

He was stunned. Was this even real?

…

Damn it!

(End of chapter)

Chapter 1340 – One Hundred Percent

Hollywood—the Vanity Fair—where competition is unimaginably fierce. Only by immersing oneself in it can one begin to glimpse even a fraction of its reality.

Yet, countless young dreamers continue to arrive in Los Angeles, hoping for overnight fame to change their lives.

In the end, they taste the bitterness of tears in the cold and merciless nights of the City of Angels.

Zack Snyder was no exception.

After nearly a decade of struggling through Hollywood’s muddy trenches, he finally encountered the right project—one that was actually getting off the ground. Naturally, he couldn’t help but indulge in dreams of success, fantasizing about an overnight breakthrough that would rewrite his fate, caught between nervous anticipation and wild hope.

And the result?

Like countless others in Hollywood, he was hit with a bucket of cold water.

Pop! Just like that, the bubble of his fantasy burst.

The crushing disappointment was unbearable, an overwhelming force that threatened to consume him.

So, what next?

The future was a blank void. Darkness loomed ahead.

He had spent years waiting for his first opportunity. Who knew how long the second one would take—if it would come at all?

It was all Anson’s fault.

Universal Pictures was fully aware that Dawn of the Dead was premiering this week, yet they refused to allocate any promotional resources, allowing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to steal the spotlight. Who knew if Anson had secretly pressured Universal, preventing them from using their media influence to boost a competitor?

If it weren’t for that pretty-boy hack, Dawn of the Dead wouldn’t have been so thoroughly ignored. It wasn’t even getting any media coverage.

Zack cursed Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, wishing it would bomb both at the box office and with critics—so badly that Focus Features would go bankrupt and Hollywood would collectively blacklist Anson.

Argh!

The rage burned within him, a torment so intense it was beyond words. He tossed and turned, feeling as if he were being consumed by flames in the depths of hell.

Wait. Reviews. Yes, reviews!

Right now, it was just a battle for media coverage. A film’s success was ultimately determined by its reception—by critics and, more importantly, by the audience.

Besides—

A movie like Dawn of the Dead couldn’t rely on critics anyway!

Horror films had always been snubbed by reviewers. For years, critics had harbored an unshakable bias against the genre, nitpicking every flaw. The result? Horror films consistently received lower scores—not as an exception, but as a rule.

So, the real test came from the audience. As long as that niche horror fanbase embraced it, there was still hope for the box office.

He could not afford to be discouraged. He must not fall into despair. The journey of Dawn of the Dead was only just beginning.

But wait…

Had he already started preparing excuses before even reading the reviews?

No, no, no—this was the wrong mindset. He needed to have faith in the critics. He needed to believe in the audience.

They could tell good from bad. They would judge fairly.

And as for Anson Wood?

Ha. A shallow pretty-boy. He had nothing but his face—and even that wasn’t to Zack’s taste. He genuinely couldn’t understand why all of Hollywood was obsessed with Anson’s looks. Were they all blind?

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind... Hmm… Charlie Kaufman and Kate Winslet…

Zack’s palms broke out in a cold sweat.

But—wasn’t that film only getting a limited release? Based on Focus Features’ marketing strategy, they weren’t even planning for a head-on battle.

He needed to be confident. He needed to stay strong. No point panicking over minor setbacks.

Taking a deep breath—another deep breath—his heart still raced, but Zack finally managed to regain some composure. Sitting up straight, he opened his laptop.

Aggregate Reviews.

Recently, Hollywood had been watching the review aggregations closely. Everyone was waiting for Anson to fail. Everyone was eager to see how long this pretty-boy could ride his lucky streak. Everyone wanted to know when his so-called box office magic would finally shatter.

The louder the media buzz, the greater the pressure on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Perfect.

With all eyes on Eternal Sunshine, Dawn of the Dead could seize the moment. Imagine if the reviews exceeded expectations—it might even crush Eternal Sunshine. Charlie Kaufman, knocked down. Anson Wood, humiliated. A small but glorious victory.

And then? The same media that ignored him would come crawling back, eager to sing his praises.

Zack was 100% sure of it.

No one in Hollywood could have handled this remake better than him.

Everything was falling into place.

He was gold—all he needed was a chance to shine, and no one would be able to stop him.

As for Eternal Sunshine?

Ha! In the end, it would be nothing more than a stepping stone for his success.

His thoughts raced, spiraling into excitement. A grin slowly crept across his face as anticipation surged through him. He couldn’t wait to see the glowing reviews.

Then—

The page refreshed.

Zack froze.

His smile stiffened.

His mind went completely blank.

Impossible.

Media Score: 59.

What?

Not even passing.

Only fifty-nine points.

Wait.

That was Dawn of the Dead’s score, not Eternal Sunshine’s… right?

He checked again. And again.

Same result.

His blood, sweat, and tears had resulted in just fifty-nine points.

Unbelievable.

Holding his breath, his instincts kicked in—he immediately searched for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

The page loaded painfully slowly.

Zack sat frozen, paralyzed in front of the screen.

And then—

Media Score: 95.

A bolt of lightning.

A deafening explosion.

Completely shell-shocked.

Not just a success. Not just praise.

It was an absolute critical triumph.

Fifty-nine versus ninety-five. The numbers flipped, and it was as if he had been dragged from heaven to hell—no, back and forth between life and death.

How. Did. This. Happen?

Zack sat there, shoulders slumped, his body collapsing under the weight of the reality before him.

But—no.

Reviews didn’t matter. These critics were bootlickers for Anson. None of this mattered. They didn’t understand his art.

The only thing that mattered was the audience.

The audience would speak through their wallets.

Box office numbers would prove his worth.

Dawn of the Dead would prove him right.

He, Zack Snyder, was a misunderstood genius.

Over and over, he repeated it to himself.

Then, furious, he jumped up from his chair, stormed into the kitchen, and furiously started cleaning.

Scrub, scrub, scrub.

But midway through—he couldn’t take it anymore.

Without warning, he let out a primal scream.

"AAAHHH!"

Outside, startled sparrows flapped their wings and scattered from the treetops.

But other than that, nothing changed.

The world remained completely, utterly, indifferent.

(End of Chapter.)