I fundamentally don't understand "the character wasn't likable" as criticism. Does that... matter? Is that how you relate to all art? "This guitar solo seems like a bitch"? "I wouldn't have a beer with that color palette"?
Perfectly said!
For me it does get tiring if *no one* in a book/film/TV show is likable -- I want to have someone to root for -- but that's a me thing and definitely not a broad requirement for good art.
When I was teaching screenwriting, I told my students your lead doesn’t have to be like able, but must be charismatic. The subtleties may be lost on some.
