Rewriting the Review Game — Blaine Andrews & the Rise of Criticless
On this episode of The Icon Presents Podcast, I sat down with Blaine Andrews, the bold and refreshingly down-to-earth CEO of Criticless—a new entertainment review platform that’s flipping the script on how we engage with movies, TV shows, and more.
Tired of the stale critic-driven scores dominating platforms like Rotten Tomatoes, Blaine built something entirely different. Criticless is where regular people—not media elites—have the mic. Think: synthwave aesthetic, MySpace-style social vibes, and a rating system that’s as intuitive as swiping sliders and choosing color-coded “loot scale” levels. It’s made by and for the audiences who actually buy the tickets and binge the shows.
What struck me most was Blaine’s origin story. Coming from the worlds of landscaping and trucking, he knew what it meant to work hard and think practically. He didn’t set out to chase fame—he wanted to give people like himself a digital space where their voices matter. “Critics talk at us,” Blaine said, “but people want to talk with each other.”
And that’s exactly what Criticless does. From native YouTube hosting for creators, to “Friends With Benefits” features that connect users with reviewers they trust, Blaine and his team have created a platform that’s as much about conversation as it is about content. Whether you’re reviewing your favorite anime or building playlists around movie soundtracks, this is a space that celebrates participation over prestige.
Despite the challenges of bootstrapping a tech platform, Blaine’s vision is expanding—first with video games, then books, and even comics. And he’s kept it real: no data selling, no corporate overreach—just clean, fun, honest opinions from real fans.
Quote from Blaine Andrews:
“We’re not here to fix Rotten Tomatoes—we’re here to replace it. One real review at a time.”
To join the movement, check out Criticless, explore the community, and consider supporting through the Crit Club membership. The future of fan-powered entertainment is just getting started.
