As a seasoned movie-goer and critic with over three decades of cinematic adventures under my belt, I must admit that I initially found “Red Sparrow” to be a rather forgettable addition to Lawrence’s illustrious filmography. However, upon revisiting it on Netflix, I was pleasantly surprised by its renewed appeal and the undeniable charm of Jennifer Lawrence in the lead role.
The film ‘Red Sparrow’, which introduced a ballerina to an action-packed thriller long before the John Wick spinoff was announced, initially received mixed reviews when it was released in 2018. However, it has since found a new audience on streaming platforms, joining Lawrence’s other older films that have seen resurgence in popularity. For instance, her controversial sci-fi movie ‘Passengers’ has been consistently ranked high on various platforms for the past few months. Currently, ‘Red Sparrow’ is climbing the charts and peaked at 7th position in Netflix’s global rankings.
Although boasting an impressive cast featuring Jeremy Irons, Joel Edgerton, Joely Richardson, and Jessica Chastain (Lawrence), the film faced mixed reactions. It received a divided rating on both Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer and Popcornmeter. While critics appreciated Lawrence’s acting in the lead role, they found the movie’s “unnecessarily brutal” plot and pacing unconvincing. Audiences echoed this sentiment, arguing that excessive sex and violence could not compensate for a sluggish narrative. In the end, the film garnered 45% from critics and 51% from audiences.
As a movie buff, I must admit that the fact that “Red Sparrow” is now available on Netflix hasn’t seemed to discourage viewers from watching it. In fact, it might have fueled their curiosity even more. Regardless, the unexpected continuation of the film’s box office success six years ago, which saw its initial $69 million investment grow into a massive $151 million global gross, is now being mirrored by its impressive performance on this new streaming platform.
Under the direction of Francis Lawrence and based on the 2013 novel by Jason Matthews, Red Sparrow presents Jennifer Lawrence in the role of Dominika Egorova, a once-promising Russian ballet dancer who is forced into service as a seductive and manipulative intelligence operative. The movie’s comprehensive summary goes as follows:
Dominika Egorova, a renowned ballet dancer, finds herself in a dismal and unpredictable situation when an injury forces her retirement. She then joins Sparrow School, a covert agency specializing in shaping gifted individuals into lethal weapons. Egorova proves to be the deadliest Sparrow upon successfully enduring the ruthless training regime. As she grapples with her newly acquired skills, Dominika crosses paths with a CIA operative who endeavors to win her trust by claiming he is her only reliable ally.
Why is Red Sparrow a Success Again?
It can sometimes be challenging to figure out why subscribers choose specific movies on streaming services. But when it comes to “Red Sparrow,” Jennifer Lawrence’s star power in Hollywood is undeniable. With her recent hit comedy comeback, “No Hard Feelings,” and an upcoming role with Robert Pattinson in the dramedy “Die My Love,” Lawrence has been consistently successful following the international acclaim of “The Hunger Games.
The film “Red Sparrow” neatly fits into the widely-adored action thriller genre, a category that consistently tops charts on all platforms. Although some viewers might find the explicit scenes unsettling, it’s precisely this kind of content that many others actively seek when choosing what to watch. With its spot in Netflix’s Top 10, “Red Sparrow” follows the pattern of older movies with mixed initial responses being revived by the insatiable curiosity of global audiences eager for fresh viewing experiences.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-08 18:01