Atrocious reviews but good numbers over the weekend and number one position in 37 markets. Choose or Die is a subpar directorial debut according to many but for Netflix, it is the ideal “movie of the week” candidate. First, it must have been really cheap to buy the distribution rights in July last year, when the market was starved by the pandemic. Second, with Asa Butterfield in the main starring role, it feels like a Netflix Original with the star of Sex Education. It’s a win-win for the platform and horror movies are always a favorite choice for Friday Movie Night, be it in the theatres or at home on your own couch.
Truth is that Netflix is in desperate need of some surprise hit. Since The Adam Project, they didn’t have anything resembling a long-term hit. Every weekend premiere is forgotten by Monday morning and there is actually nothing on the horizon, except maybe for that 365 Days sequel. That will make the numbers but it definitely won’t be a masterpiece. While HBO is cashing in on Dune or King Richard and now with Batman arriving yesterday, Netflix is struggling to build some buzz around their event movies. They for sure have Bridgerton and upcoming Stranger Things, but where are the blockbusters? Last year we got Army of Dead or Mitchells vs. Machines. No movie of this caliber is planned for May. We know that Netflix always holds its cards close but this could hurt the company because subscribers right now have only a handful of shows to look forward to, while HBO and Disney gladly tease upcoming arrivals of their own big blockbusters from theatres or elsewhere.