Margot Robbie's 'criminally underrated' Hollywood epic is now streaming for free

Margot Robbie stars in a Hollywood epic that's caught the attention of Netflix viewers, but it's not Barbie that's drawing the crowds this time.

Before the pink screwball extravaganza set screens alight, Robbie starred in a rollicking throwback to the dawn of cinema under the stewardship of an Academy Award-laden director.

Sadly, despite its pedigree, Damien Chazelle's sprawling three-hour spectacle, Babylon, didn't ignite box office success.

Robbie plays the fiery Nellie LaRoy, transforming from hopeful amateur to bona fide starlet after a serendipitous meeting with Diego Calva's Manny Torres at a raucous 1926 Bel Air soiree.

As Nellie grapples with the seismic shift of talkies reshaping the industry, Manny ascends to the ranks of a high-powered studio executive, brushing elbows with Brad Pitt's fading luminary Jack Conrad, while uncovering the illicit fringes of Tinseltown, reports the Mirror.

Despite receiving lukewarm reactions from critics and cinemagoers upon its initial outing last year - where it sits at an underwhelming 57 percent on Rotten Tomatoes - Babylon has quickly garnered a devoted fanbase who see it as a misunderstood masterpiece pending overdue adoration.

Even horror maestro Stephen King chimed in on X (formerly Twitter) after its launch: "Maybe this says more about me than the film, but I thought BABYLON was utterly brilliant...

"Extravagant, over the top, hilarious, thought-provoking. Might be one of those movies that reviews badly and is acclaimed as a classic in 20 years."

The film topped Collider's list of 10 Poorly Rated Movies Destined to Become Cult Classics, with the site remarking: "To some, it's a self-indulgent mess, but others think it's a brilliantly explosive and maximalist masterwork," adding, "Whatever the case, Babylon will likely be remembered as one of the 2020s' biggest cult classics a few years from now."

A devoted fan expressed their admiration on X, saying: "Second viewing on Babylon... Pure cinema and criminally underrated messy film of masterpiece! Cast is perfect once again!"

They continued their praise: "Damien Chazelle thank you for making this movie it's just what I needed and what cinema needed! Music/soundtrack is perfect! I love Babylon!"

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Another fan predicted the film's future legacy: "Babylon will go down in film history as a deeply misunderstood and criminally underrated cinematic masterpiece," noting, "It may not be viewed as such anytime soon but it will be in a few years."

They also added a critique on the Oscars: "It deserved additional [Oscar] nods in picture, actor, cinematography, editing, makeup the very least."

Will you be giving Babylon a go this week?

Babylon is available to stream on Netflix.