In a striking display of audience taste triumphing over critical consensus, a raucous 2015 action-comedy has stormed the Netflix UK charts. Hot Pursuit, starring Reese Witherspoon and Sofía Vergara, secured the number two spot on Saturday, 3rd January 2026, defying its notoriously low 8 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
From Critical Flop to Streaming Sensation
The film's impressive performance sees it sitting just behind the true crime documentary Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story and, notably, ahead of one of Netflix's major end-of-2025 releases, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. This resurgence for the decade-old movie has sparked conversation about the divide between professional reviewers and mainstream viewers.
In the film, Reese Witherspoon plays by-the-book Officer Rose Cooper, who is tasked with a perilous mission to escort the wife of a cartel boss, Daniella Riva (Sofía Vergara), across Texas. The pair must dodge corrupt police officers and ruthless criminals aiming to prevent Daniella from testifying.
Audience Raves Defy the Critics
While critics largely panned the film upon its original release, a dedicated fanbase has passionately championed it. On Rotten Tomatoes, user reviews paint a vastly different picture, with many awarding it full marks.
One five-star reviewer declared it "one of the funniest movies ever!!!!!", adding that they watch it repeatedly for a guaranteed laugh. Another viewer directly challenged the critical reception, stating: "The critics are wrong on this one, like they usually are for fun comedies that shouldn't be taken too seriously."
The chemistry between the two leads is frequently highlighted as the film's strongest asset. A detailed fan review praised the "fantastic chemistry" between Witherspoon and Vergara, noting that their contrasting personalities drive the "nonstop entertainment." The review concluded that it's a "perfect choice if you’re in the mood for a feel-good comedy."
Comparisons and Unabashed Praise
Some fans have even drawn comparisons to classic comedies, with one suggesting it acts as a "female version of Midnight Run", albeit aimed at a younger audience. On IMDb, enthusiasm remains equally high, where one user gave the film a 10/10 score.
That reviewer expressed a desire to "hug and kiss Reese and Sofia" for their performances, recommending the film as a perfect escape to "have terrific fun and forget the problems of life." Another viewer admitted they watched it with low expectations after reading negative critiques but ended up not stopping laughing, calling it "light hearted and great."
The consistent message from supporters is clear: Hot Pursuit delivers exactly what it promises—a high-energy, over-the-top, and unabashedly silly comedy designed purely for entertainment. Its second wind on Netflix proves that a low Rotten Tomatoes score is not always a death knell, and that audience word-of-mouth can resurrect a title years later.
The film is now available to stream on Netflix UK, inviting a new wave of viewers to decide for themselves whether the critics or the fans got it right.
