The Jason Statham action flick is climbing the Netflix UK chart: ‘Homefront’
Something unusual has caught the eyes of UK Netflix subscribers. Hollywood’s very own tough guy, Jason Statham, is currently lurking in the top ten most popular movies list. After almost 12 years, Gary Fleder-directed Homefront has tiptoed onto the charts, offering fans the Statham respite they’d been craving all along.
Homefront, the 2013 action-thriller that Sylvester Stallone wrote and co-produced, is currently ranked ninth on the Netflix UK most popular movies chart. The film follows Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) retired agent Phil Broker, whose past comes to haunt him and his daughter in more unexpected ways than one when Maddy embroils herself with a school bully, resulting in a chain reaction of violence, kidnapping, and confrontation.
Although Homefront enjoys a comfortable seat on the Netflix UK chart for now, Rotten Tomatoes has a sub-par 42% rating. Surprisingly, the same film is rated with a 61% on Popcornmeter, underscoring a polarised response between critics and the audience. This is not exactly a one-off phenomenon, as is often observed in the streaming world. Fans love a straightforward thriller where heavy commitment and intense cognitive assessment are not a demand.
The streaming era’s second shots have given viewers a plethora of such choices, including Homefront. But is that alone the reason behind Homefront’s unforeseen surge? Perhaps not. This renewed interest comes hot on the heels of Jason Statham’s latest film, A Working Man, which can explain the rekindled curiosity about his previous works.
While it may not be critically impressive, Homefront is a comfort watch that fits the bill of current consumption habits. Furthermore, perceptions change with time. In fact, themes or scenes that felt far-fetched back in the day feel way more compelling in today’s reality. The Statham starrer didn’t exactly mint big bucks at the box office, but for viewers who haven’t seen it before, it seems fresh.
Homefront has had its fair share of box office and critical setbacks. But by the looks of its rise on the Netflix chart, it’s clear as daylight that it’s impressionable enough for repeat or casual viewing. With shifting real-world parallels, the film is pitch-perfect for modern binge culture. Not to forget that the film reeks of star power with actors like James Franco and Winona Ryder.
Sprinkle some algorithmic magic and Statham’s cult fan following, and there you have it: an action pill that thrives on reappraisal.