In August, science fiction fans will be served on Netflix since two films will appear on the platform, two feature films already known to subscribers but which will benefit from a director’s cut.
A space opera by Snyder
At the end of December 2023, spectators were able to discover on Netflix Rebel Moon: Part 1 – Child of Fireand then in April 2024 the second part: Rebel Moon: Part 2 – The Slasher. Two films directed by Zack Snyder, an ambitious space opera that has been hanging around in his head for over 20 years. If you know the director at all, you know that he is a fan of director’s cuts, a film whose editing is validated by the director (unlike the final cut, the editing of which is validated by the producers).
From August 2, you will be able to discover on the streaming platform the versions edited by Synder of the two parts of Rebel Moon.
Unlike the versions already available, these benefit from a new classification, and will be rated R, therefore reserved for an adult audience. Snyder himself announced that they are “more violent and more sexual”. In the end, if you want to watch the two parts director’s cut version, it will take you almost 6 hours (compared to 4h15 for the first versions).
This announcement is not really a surprise since the director had agreed with the firm when the project was launched that he would have the right to offer his director’s cuts some time after the original films were put online.
A “moderate” success
Even if the quality of the films leaves something to be desired, the two parts of the franchise initiated by Zack Snyder attracted a lot of people. During their first week, the two feature films took the lead in the most watched new films on the platform. The first stayed 4 weeks in the top 10, and the second only 3 (and gave a little boost to the first part in the process).
In truth, and given the budgets committed, the results are probably below the firm’s expectations. Another (very) downside is the reviews which are far from good. On different aggregators, both films are not rated very well. These two points could therefore condemn Snyder’s plans, who had the ambition to make 6 films, and would even already be working on the third chapter.
It remains to be seen whether the director’s cuts will change the situation, and why not, change the opinion of spectators regarding the quality of the films.
