Margot Robbie’s ‘criminally underrated future classic’ now streaming for free
A Hollywood epic starring Margot Robbie called “criminally underrated” by its fans is now streaming for no extra cost on Netflix
by Lucas Hill-Paul · The MirrorOne of Margot Robbie’s recent Hollywood epics with a passionate fanbase is now streaming on Netflix - and no, it isn’t Barbie.
Before the Wolf of Wall Street star’s pink extravaganza, she turned back the clocks with Brad Pitt to explore the early days of movie-making with an acclaimed, Oscar-winning director.
Unfortunately, Damien Chazelle’s three-hour-plus period drama Babylon was a major flop at the box office.
It follows aspiring actress Nellie LaRoy (played by Robbie) who becomes a star after a chance encounter with Mexican immigrant Manny Torres (Diego Calva) at a debauched party in 1926 Bel Air.
While Nellie struggles to adapt to the dramatic changes that come with the arrival of sound pictures, Manny becomes a high-flying studio exec, rubbing shoulders with waning star Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt) and discovering Hollywood’s seedy underbelly.
Although Babylon didn’t exactly land with critics and audiences upon its initial 2022 release - it currently stands at a disappointing 57 percent on Rotten Tomatoes - the film has already developed a fierce cult following who are convinced it’s destined to become a future classic.
Even acclaimed horror author Stephen King seems to think so, posting on X (formerly Twitter) upon its release: “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.”
It also made the top of the list of Collider’s 10 Poorly Rated Movies Destined to Become Cult Classics.
“To some, it's a self-indulgent mess, but others think it's a brilliantly explosive and maximalist masterwork,” they wrote.
“Whatever the case, Babylon will likely be remembered as one of the 2020s' biggest cult classics a few years from now.”
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One die-hard fan said on X: “Second viewing on Babylon… Pure cinema and criminally underrated messy film of masterpiece! Cast is perfect once again!
“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!”
“Babylon will go down in film history as a deeply misunderstood & criminally underrated cinematic masterpiece,” another said. “It may not be viewed as such anytime soon but it will be in a few years.
“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.