Film fans across the UK have a limited window to watch one of Martin Scorsese's most celebrated works on a major streaming platform. The director's riotous 2013 black comedy, 'The Wolf of Wall Street', is scheduled to be removed from the Netflix library on 15 January.
A Cinematic Collaboration for the Ages
The film represents the fifth and arguably most iconic collaboration between legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese and Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio. Based on the 2007 memoir of the same name by disgraced stockbroker Jordan Belfort, the movie was adapted for the screen by Terence Winter, the creator of 'The Sopranos'.
With a production budget of $100 million, the project was a major studio gamble that paid off spectacularly. It became Scorsese's highest-grossing film ever, raking in a staggering $407 million at the global box office.
An Unforgettable Cast and Critical Reception
Leonardo DiCaprio leads a stellar ensemble in the role of the hedonistic, corrupt broker Jordan Belfort. He is joined by an exceptional supporting cast including Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, and Kyle Chandler. Together, they take viewers on a chaotic, drug-fuelled journey through the excesses of 1990s Wall Street.
The film's official synopsis outlines its wild narrative: "In 1987, Jordan Belfort takes an entry-level job at a Wall Street brokerage firm. By the early 1990s, while still in his 20s, Belfort founded his own firm, Stratton Oakmont... [He] makes a huge fortune by defrauding wealthy investors out of millions. However, while Belfort and his cronies partake in a hedonistic brew of sex, drugs and thrills, the SEC and the FBI close in on his empire of excess."
Critics and audiences were largely enthralled. The film holds a 79% critics' score and an 83% audience score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Reviews praised its relentless energy and standout performances.
What the Critics Said
One reviewer hailed it as "an epic visual storytelling masterpiece from Martin Scorsese," while another described it as "deplorable, hysterical, phenomenal." The performance of DiCaprio was repeatedly singled out, with critics noting he "swaggers into a staggering performance" and delivers what some consider his best work with Scorsese.
Audience reviews have been equally passionate in the years since its release. One viewer called it "chaotic, outrageous, and razor-sharp," crediting DiCaprio's "fearless, unhinged, charismatic" turn. Another praised its ability to remain engaging despite a lengthy runtime, stating: "Even though it’s a long movie, it never feels dull or dragged out — every scene has something that keeps you watching."
Stream It Before It's Gone
The impending departure of 'The Wolf of Wall Street' from Netflix UK is a reminder of the transient nature of streaming libraries. Subscribers who wish to experience or revisit this defining film of modern cinema have until midnight on January 15 to do so on the platform.
Its exit will leave a considerable gap for fans of sharp, satirical, and spectacularly performed drama. The film remains a potent cultural touchstone, a blistering critique of financial corruption wrapped in a wildly entertaining package.
