I mean, that's true. But also look at things like The Girl on the Train or the Accountant. They both had mixed reviews, but because of placing them in barren dates and knowing how to market them, they were decent successes.
If there's lots of wide releases however, I think the reviews help a movie stand out, and then the actual audience reception determines legs.
I also wouldn't blame the critics for the movie's success or failure. Their job is simply to review a movie for its quality, and they tend to do a good job at it. It's the quality of the movie you're making that you can blame.
Market an appealing concept and deliver with the product, and you'll have a much easier time selling tickets.