Gerard Butler’s Action Thriller ‘Last Seen Alive’ is Topping the Streaming Charts Despite a 14% RT Score

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Prior to the release of Gerard Butler’s film “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” this weekend, another one of his movies, “Last Seen Alive,” is steadily rising in popularity on streaming platforms. Despite receiving poor reviews and underperforming at the box office in 2022, it currently holds the second spot on the MAX international streaming charts. This surprising rise in popularity comes despite a very low rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie boasts a commendable ensemble featuring actors like Forest Whitaker (Thor, Sweet Home Alabama), Jaimie Alexander, Russell Hornsby (The Hate U Give), and Ethan Embry. Brian Goodman, primarily recognized for his acting prowess, directs this film titled Last Seen Alive. The narrative unfolds as Will (Whitaker) embarks on a frantic quest to find Lisa (Alexander), his wife who mysteriously vanishes during a stop at a gas station. As with many movies of this genre, Will encounters resistance not only from the town’s criminal underworld but also evades pursuit by the law enforcement.

On October 1, 2022, Last Seen Alive first premiered on Netflix, eventually claiming the title of the most-watched movie in the U.S. during that period, despite a predominantly unfavorable reception from critics. It is worth noting that this film had an international release on June 3, 2022, earning a modest $5.9 million at the box office, which outperformed the disappointing performance of the Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain film.

Prior to the creation of this article, the movie had garnered a 13% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it subsequently rose to 14%. Quite impressive! Audiences were somewhat more lenient, awarding it a 48% score on RT. On IMDb, it currently holds a rating of 5.7 out of 10.

What stands out remarkably is the revelation that Butler made on Instagram a few days following the Netflix premiere. In his post, he stated:

I have an interesting story to share. Taking up ‘Last Seen Alive’ was more than just a role for me; it was a fun experiment. I improvised throughout the entire film. To add to that, I was only provided with the first ten pages of the script initially and those were discarded once we started shooting. We completed the movie in just eight days. The allure of stepping into each scene without knowing what was coming next drew me in. This is a type of challenge I’ve never faced before, and it was both demanding and thrilling. You can feel the intensity when you watch it because I was truly living in the moment.

Based on the general feedback about the movie, it seems fair to say that perhaps the storyline lacked depth. It would be fascinating to eavesdrop and understand the thoughts of those who funded the film.

Where to Watch ‘Last Seen Alive’

For international viewers, “Last Seen Alive” is now available for streaming exclusively on MAX. Fortunately, U.S. viewers get to watch it elsewhere. If you’re curious about whether the movie is truly dreadful, you can find it on Netflix. Since it’s only 95 minutes long, you won’t have to wait too long to find out!

A film with a similar feel is “Breakdown” (1997) starring Kurt Russell, directed by Jonathan Mostow. This movie surpasses “Butler’s stinker” in terms of quality, boasting an impressive 83% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. You can stream it on various platforms such as Paramount+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and others.

It appears there’s some enthusiasm for movies similar to “Den of Thieves,” which was successful globally when it premiered in January 2018 and is gearing up for its sequel. If you’re keen on watching more action films featuring Gerard Butler, the “Has Fallen” series is a reliable choice, as well as the timeless hit, 300, which kick-started his acting career in 2007.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera opens this weekend.

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2025-01-10 00:01