Despite mixed reviews upon its release, the film Don’t Look Up captivated hundreds of millions of viewers on Netflix.
Tl;dr
- Despite the criticism, Don’t Look Up attracted nearly 500 million viewers to Netflix.
- The film, a satire on climate change, was a huge global success, reaching number one in 85 countries.
- Don’t Look Up succeeded in raising awareness among a wide audience by addressing global issues through daring comedy.
A disappointing critical reception
Released in 2021, Don’t Look Up by director Adam McKay was not unanimous among critics, garnering a rating of 56% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, this dark satire on a comet threatening to destroy the Earth, an allegory of climate change, had a clear ambition: to challenge consciences. With an impressive cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep, the film seemed destined for unanimous success. However, his cynical tone and his harsh criticism of modern societies did not appeal to the “cultural guardians”.
A popular triumph
Despite this mixed critical reception, director Adam McKay says that Don’t Look Up was seen by nearly half a billion people on the streaming platform Netflix. “ He never communicates precise figures, but estimates run between 400 million and 500 million“, he told NME. This global success makes it the second most popular film on the platform, just behind Red Notice. Number one in 85 countries, this comedy has crossed cultural boundaries, a rare feat in this cinematic genre.
A message beyond entertainment
For Adam McKay, the impact of the film goes far beyond the framework of a simple comedy. By addressing the threat of global catastrophe, the film invites the audience to think about global issues such as climate change. Although “ridiculous and small” in the face of real crises, in his own words, Don’t Look Up was able to raise awareness among a wide audience. It is a work that seeks to raise awareness while entertaining, a bold but rewarding gamble.
-A controversial but striking work
Between mixed reviews and popular enthusiasm, Don’t Look Up will remain an example of a divisive but emblematic film. Its success proves that art can reach a global audience, even when it takes stylistic or thematic risks. Adam McKay, despite the criticism, salutes above all the warm reception from the world public. This paradox between criticism and popularity shows that the cultural impact of a film is not only measured in stars or percentages, but also in resonance with the public.
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