Margot Robbie’s recent Hollywood spectacle, which has garnered a fervent fanbase, is now available for streaming on Netflix – it’s not Barbie.
Before gracing the screen in her pink-tinted adventure, Robbie joined forces with Brad Pitt under the direction of an Oscar-lauded filmmaker to delve into the golden age of cinema.
Regrettably, Damien Chazelle’s epic three-hour saga Babylon didn’t quite captivate audiences at the box office as expected.
The film charts the rise of aspiring actress Nellie LaRoy (played by Robbie), who finds fame after a serendipitous meeting with Mexican immigrant Manny Torres (Diego Calva) during a wild bash in 1926 Bel Air.
As Nellie grapples with the seismic shifts brought on by the advent of talkies, Manny ascends to the ranks of a powerful studio executive, mingling with the fading star Jack Conrad (Pitt) and uncovering the dark corners of Tinseltown, reports the Mirror.
Despite a lukewarm reception from critics and moviegoers at its initial outing in 2022 – reflected in a rather underwhelming 57 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes – Babylon has already cultivated a zealous cult following convinced of its eventual status as a cinematic treasure.
Even the esteemed horror writer Stephen King has thrown his weight behind the film, taking to X (formerly Twitter) upon its debut to declare: “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 topped Collider’s list of 10 Poorly Rated Movies Destined to Become Cult Classics, recognising the divisive nature of the film.
“To some, it’s a self-indulgent mess, but others think it’s a brilliantly explosive and maximalist masterwork,” Collider opined.
Already garnering a die-hard audience, one ardent supporter shared on X: “Second viewing on Babylon… Pure cinema and criminally underrated messy film of masterpiece! Cast is perfect once again!”
Their enthusiasm didn’t stop there: “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!”
Echoes of praise could be found elsewhere with another fan insisting, “Babylon will go down in film history as a deeply misunderstood and criminally underrated cinematic masterpiece.
“It may not be viewed as such anytime soon but it will be in a few years.”
They even lamented its Oscar snubs: “It deserved additional [Oscar] nods in picture, actor, cinematography, editing, makeup the very least.”
With voices of support and curiosity rising, many are left wondering: Will Babylon be worth a watch this week?
Babylon is available to stream on Netflix.
