In a startling twist for the streaming world, a film universally panned by critics as one of the worst ever made has defied expectations to become a chart-topping hit on Netflix in the UK. Madame Web, the 2024 superhero thriller based on the Marvel Comics character, secured the number one spot on the platform just days after its arrival, despite holding an abysmal 10% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
From Critical Disaster to Streaming Sensation
The film, which stars Dakota Johnson as clairvoyant paramedic Cassie Webb, was added to Netflix on a Saturday and swiftly ascended the rankings. It managed to outrank seasonal favourites like Jingle Bell Heist and That Christmas, demonstrating a significant disconnect between its critical reception and its apparent popularity with subscribers.
Upon its cinematic release earlier in the year, Madame Web was eviscerated by both professional reviewers and audiences. Critics labelled it an "embarrassing mess" and some declared it the worst comic book adaptation they had ever seen. The ensemble cast, which also features Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, and Adam Scott, was widely considered to have been wasted on a poorly executed script.
Audience Reactions: From Outrage to Amusement
The court of public opinion, as reflected on social media and review aggregators, was equally harsh. On Rotten Tomatoes, disappointed viewers did not hold back. One user starkly commented, "Not much to say honestly this movie is so ridiculously bad it's funny." Another simply stated, "Wow this is just trash," while a third offered a particularly cutting assessment: "I've attended funerals that were more enjoyable than Madame Web. This should have a government health warning at the start."
However, the film's journey to the top of Netflix suggests a more nuanced viewer response. Its availability on a major streaming platform appears to have tapped into a wave of curiosity-driven viewing. Some audiences have found a so-bad-it's-good quality in the film, with one social media user noting the potential for meme-worthy moments, writing, "The memes will redeem it." A handful of more charitable viewers praised the cast's chemistry and the unique premise, even while acknowledging the film's glaring flaws.
The Netflix Effect and the Mystery of the Charts
This phenomenon is not entirely unprecedented on Netflix. The platform has previously seen critically derided films find a massive second wind through streaming, where the barrier to entry is low and the choice to watch is often based on algorithms and intrigue rather than reviews. Madame Web's surge mirrors the recent success of the Spanish drama The Crystal Cuckoo, which also became an unexpected hit on the service last month after its addition in November.
The film's performance raises interesting questions about what drives success in the streaming era. It underscores how a platform like Netflix can rehabilitate—or at least repurpose—a theatrical flop, turning it into a topic of conversation and a chart-topper based purely on viewer numbers, regardless of quality. For now, Madame Web sits proudly, if puzzlingly, at the pinnacle of Netflix UK's most-watched list, proving that sometimes, infamy is just as compelling as acclaim.
