It should come as no surprise to anyone with a Netflix subscription that we have yet another bombastic action film, replete with American heroism, soaring through the platform’s global top ten charts.
Michael Bay’s action- thriller, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, has claimed the ninth spot in the English-language top ten list, where it has been residing for the third consecutive week.
This film is a heavily fictionalised retelling of real-life events. Culture and Information Minister Omar Gawaari voiced criticism, as per The Guardian, stating that “the movie shows the US contractors who actually failed to secure the ambassador […] as heroes” before saying that Michael Bay “turned America’s failure to protect its own citizens in a fragile state into a typical action movie all about American heroism.”
But fans of this genre, where all things go boom at regular intervals, possibly don’t mind the refurbishments added to the story as the film is not only at the top of the global list but has also secured a position in Netflix’s top ten lists of 29 countries, including nations like Morocco and Jordan.
Directed by Bay, known for his visually explosive films, 13 Hours recounts the events surrounding the attack on the US diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012. The screenplay, adapted from Mitchell Zuckoff’s book, was crafted by Chuck Hogan. The film features a talented ensemble cast, with James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, and Pablo Schreiber portraying the pivotal roles of the security contractors who defended the diplomatic compound.
Upon its initial release, 13 Hours received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the film for its action sequences, others criticised its perceived lack of political depth. The film currently holds a 51 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
You can watch 13 Hours on Netflix and catch the trailer here:
