Meghan Markle’s Hollywood Dream Turns Into a Nightmare

Meghan Markle's much-anticipated Hollywood comeback took a disastrous turn as her latest Netflix venture, Meet Me at the Lake, suffered a humiliating blow after being snubbed by the Academy Awards for the Best Picture category.

The romantic comedy, which was envisioned to be Markle's triumphant return to the big screen, has instead become a subject of ridicule, drawing widespread criticism for its lack of originality and Markle's lackluster performance.

Based on Clyde Fortune's best-selling novel, Meet Me at the Lake was a project that Markle and Prince Harry eagerly acquired the rights to, with high hopes of it showcasing Markle's acting prowess.

However, the film has fallen short of expectations, facing harsh scrutiny from both audiences and critics alike.

The storyline, revolving around Markle's character, a successful lawyer who falls in love with a humble fisherman, has been lambasted for its cliched plot and cringe-inducing dialogues.

Markle's portrayal in the movie has particularly come under fire, with critics describing her performance as stiff and unconvincing, raising doubts about her acting abilities.

The film's reception has been overwhelmingly negative, earning a dismal 23% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Terms like dull, uninspired, and a failed attempt at redemption have been used to describe the movie, painting a grim picture of its critical reception.

Financially, Meet Me at the Lake has been a commercial disaster, managing to gross a mere $12 million worldwide against a hefty budget of $40 million.

The film has been overshadowed by other Netflix productions, such as Bradley Cooper's biopic on Leonard Bernstein and the highly acclaimed Past Lives.

With the 2024 Oscars on the horizon, the absence of Meet Me at the Lake in the Best Picture category signals a major setback for Markle's Hollywood ambitions.

Furthermore, the film has been snubbed by prestigious award ceremonies like the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards, leaving Markle with only a Razzie nomination for Worst Actress, putting her in an unfavorable position alongside established names like Jennifer Lopez and Angelina Jolie but for all the wrong reasons.

Since departing from the royal family in 2020, Meghan and Harry's foray into the entertainment industry, backed by a reported $100 million Netflix deal, has been met with mixed reviews and significant backlash, particularly in their home country, the UK.

Their documentary series, Harry and Meghan, was criticized for being self-indulgent, while their animated show, Pearl, was accused of being a mere money-making scheme.

Markle's Hollywood aspirations have also faced mockery from former colleagues, including Patrick J. Adams from Suits, who expressed surprise at her sudden royal exit and Jon Hamm, her co-star in A Lot Like Love, who admitted to barely remembering her and was unsurprised by her struggles in Tinseltown.

Outspoken critic Piers Morgan did not mince words when dismissing Markle's chances at an Oscar win, branding her film as a failure deserving of harsh criticism.

The couple's post-royal journey has been marred by controversies, ranging from allegations of elitism and hypocrisy to accusations of breaching privacy through their forthcoming memoirs and podcasts.

Their decisions have alienated them from loved ones, who have openly voiced disappointment and frustration with the couple's choices.