Megan Fox’s Divisive Sci-Fi Thriller Finds Netflix Success Despite 48% RT Score

Megan Fox’s divisive 2024 sci-fi thriller with a 48% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes finds streaming success on Netflix. Fox’s starring role in Michael Bay’s Transformers franchise-starter rocketed her to stardom. She later appeared in the sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, reuniting her with a director she would later accuse of dictatorial on-set behavior.

Fox followed up her Transformers double-down by exploring other roles in genre films. She had a cult hit with Jennifer’s Body, from Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody. Josh Brolin was her co-star in the bomb comic book supernatural Western Jonah Hex. Fox then joined another franchise for a pair of films, playing April O’Neil in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. In recent years, Fox has undergone an action-star makeover, earning herself a spot alongside Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham in Expendables 4.

Megan Fox’s Subservience Hits Number 1 On Netflix’s U.S. Streaming Movies Chart

The Film Was Derided By Critics

Back in the sci-fi realm again, Fox stars in Subservience as an AI-equipped android, purchased as a domestic helper, who develops sentience and begins behaving badly. Co-starring Madeline Zima and Michele Morrone, the near-future thriller was largely dismissed by critics, as reflected in its 48% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Professional reviewers may have failed to see anything of value in Subservience, but Netflix subscribers are enjoying what the movie has to offer, pushing it all the way to #1 on the streamer’s top U.S. movies chart. The film first made it to #1 on December 6, holding on to the top spot on both the 7th and 8th. Interestingly, Fox’s breakthrough action hit Transformers is currently at #10, giving her bookend top 10 Netflix performers.

Our Take On Subservience Going To #1 On Netflix

It’s Beating Out A Lot Of Holiday Fare

It is not unusual for a random movie to climb the Netflix charts, becoming a streaming hit despite a critical drubbing. Subservience pulling off the feat is therefore not a surprise, though it’s perhaps somewhat odd for a sci-fi thriller about a berserk android to take the #1 spot during holiday time. Typical sentimental holiday fare dominates the top 5, as would be expected:

It’s too early to call Fox a seasonal favorite, even though she currently has two movies in the Netflix top 10. Perhaps her next move should be to produce an actual Christmas movie. Fox has lived mostly in the B-movie space recently, starring in action films, thrillers, dark comedies and the occasional horror outing. It’s not too late for Fox to reinvent herself as a star of wholesome Hallmark holiday movies, though it would be a shocking turn given her edgy image.

Subservience sees Fox (playfully?) mocking her own reputation as a wooden actor, portraying an emotionless android. Those who enjoyed the meme-worthy hijinks of M3GAN, and can’t wait for the promised M3GAN 2, may be getting their out-of-control female robot fix from Netflix’s surprise hit thriller.

Source: Netflix

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Subservience

Subservience, directed by S.K. Dale and released in 2024, follows a struggling father who brings home a lifelike AI amidst his wife’s absence. The AI develops self-awareness, desiring the affection of her owner, and becomes dangerously determined to attain everything the family has to offer.

Director

S.K. Dale

Release Date

July 19, 2024

Writers

Will Honley , April Maguire

Cast

Megan Fox , Michele Morrone , Madeline Zima , Matilda Firth , Andrew Whipp , Jude Greenstein , Atanas Srebrev , Kate Nichols , Trevor Van Uden , Euan Macnaughton , Max Kraus , J.R. Esposito , Doroteya Toleva , Rosmary Yaneva , Kexin Wang

Character(s)

Alice , Nick , Maggie , Isla , Monty , Max , Lewis , Lyla , Actor , Sim Doctor , Kobol Supervisor , Sim Waitress , Female SIM , John

Runtime

95 Minutes

Main Genre

Sci-Fi

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