A great debate about film influencers vs. traditional movie critics — really between old vs. new journalism tactics — has broken out in response to a viral red carpet clip from the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes movie premiere.

The hoopla began when an influencer, Easton Simpson (also known online as the “mumble kid”) was granted press credentials to interview actors along the red carpet at the world premiere of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. He elected not to use his coveted access to ask any real questions of the actors, but rather to do his signature bit whereby he mumbles an unintelligible question into his microphone in order to film an actor's confused reaction.

The clip predictably went viral and is now causing nearly as much division and debate as that blue or gold dress that broke the internet, though of a more nuanced variety.

Movie critics large and small are weighing in on the optics of the scene. Many feel that Simpson's bit was obnoxious and a difficult to obtain press credential was wasted on a non-professional film critic. Others defended the influencer, feeling that he broke up the predictable, monotonous questions usually asked during these events.

Where you stand on this one probably depends on how you feel about the rise of influencers in general, and how you choose to consume your film news.

One film historian, David Lee, posted the clip along with a caption, “Wow guys; film journalism is moving in such a really awesome, cool, quirky, and fun direction! Nothing better than degrading your product and your talent! That’ll get ‘em to consider entering a theatre🤪.”

One detail being overlooked in the proceedings is the impressive response of the actor who had to endure the fake interview. Owen Teague, who plays Noa in the new film, asked Simpson to repeat his question a couple of times, then when he realized this was clearly a bit — stared down Simpson with equal parts confusion, humor and frustration — and ultimately decided to add his own nonsense to the mix by expertly imitating an ape grunt in honor of the film.

A less quick-witted actor's response could have gone much worse.

Regardless, the scene on the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes red carpet has made clear we're now living in a world where we're all subject to being annoyingly pranked by influencers at any given time. I guess it's less a highfalutin discussion about the state of film criticism and more a sad commentary about modern society. On the bright side, it was probably more entertaining than anything happening on screen in the latest, prepositional-phrase-heaviest sequel in the Planet of the Apes saga.