Netflix Has Described Thanos As An ‘Intergalactic Sociopath,’ And Marvel Fans Are Torn

(Spoilers for Avengers: Infinity War will definitely be found below.)

Netflix has been brilliantly stirring up drama lately with descriptions on movie and TV show landing pages, as with a savage Gossip Girl synopsis. Recently, they also caused a buzz with a Black Mirror easter egg of sorts and possibly teased an end-date for their licensing of Friends, which miraculously turned out to not be the case hours later when the streaming service re-upped the popular show’s licensing deal. Now Netflix is circling around to playing with Marvel fans, who received a bit of a jolt when Avengers: Infinity War began streaming on Christmas Day.

In doing so, Netflix described Thanos — who famously kills half of the universe with a snap after gathering Infinity stones — as an “intergalactic sociopath.” Yes, they really did. The full description read, “Superheroes amass to stop intergalactic sociopath Thanos from acquiring a full set of Infinity Stones and wiping out half of all life in the universe.” People definitely noticed.

— ⋆ (@_marvelmedia) December 25, 2018

Well, let’s get real. Is Thanos a sociopath He’s clearly a horrible being and murderous as hell, but if he was a sociopath, he wouldn’t possess any remorse or empathy regarding his genocidal actions. He’d realize that what he was doing was wrong and harmful, but that wouldn’t make him feel guilty. There’s been plenty of back-and-forth on how the movie version of Thanos differs from the comic book character, and it boils down to how he’s more chilling in the movie because in the comics, he’s simply a bad guy who’s trying to win the heart of Death by committing mass murder. Whereas in the movie, he’s motivated (in his own twisted way) by a sense of altruism to help remaining life prosper and gain more survival resources. In addition, Thanos clearly regrets killing Gamora in order to capture the Soul Stone, so he’s not without remorse.

The debate surrounding exactly how awful Thanos feel shall rage on for, well, infinity. However, jaws hit the ground at Netflix’s bold take on the mad titan.

— Joaquin (@WacoKichaw) December 26, 2018

"Intergalactic sociopath" is a bold description choice for Thanos, Netflix.

— Brian Coulter (@PhilaBCoulter) December 26, 2018

“Intergalactic sociopath” @netflix serving hot tea ☕️ https://t.co/DPBPhZx77d

— (@Crestfallenness) December 25, 2018

netflix caption for infinity war calls thanos an “intergalactic sociopath” i caN’T

— 「 」 (@GHOSTEDBARNES) December 25, 2018

BROOOOOOOOOOO MERRY CHRISTMAS WHAYRHRHFUCK pic.twitter.com/D1gLziUdYu

— ً (@thorodisns) December 25, 2018

WHAT pic.twitter.com/Er50JVDmtH

— ocean rabbit (@arohahour) December 25, 2018

OH MY GODDDDDD pic.twitter.com/dClpvW1PeD

— melissa (@endgamesstark) December 25, 2018

Whether or not Netflix meant to ruffle comic book feathers, one has to admit that “intergalactic sociopath” is really damn hilarious as well.

— anshe | 16 days (@valkyrieIoki) December 25, 2018

intergalactic sociopath thanos kdjfkdj it’s so funny to me idk why https://t.co/6qKx3aMkpn

— maria (@cosmicevans) December 25, 2018

i’m sorry but calling thanos an intergalactic sociopath is so FUNNY pic.twitter.com/YEQNjwtAay

— rosemary (@rosiechaan) December 26, 2018

And the term would also make a fantastic band name. You can’t argue with that hot take!

— Christoph Knudsen (@draindesert) December 26, 2018