Having burst onto the Hollywood scene withThe Wolf of Wall Street, Margot Robbie became a household name and has been part of some massive projects, but she’s completely right about her $64.9 million flop from 2022. Having played the leading role inBarbie, Robbie proved she was still a huge draw as the movie became thehighest-grossing movie of 2023, but the previous year wasn’t so kind. After the disappointing performance ofAmsterdam, Robbie looked to quickly follow up this misfire withBabylontwo months later, but the film was met with mixed reviews and an underwhelming box office.
However, despite the movie failing to get much love upon release,Margot Robbie defendedBabylon’s poor receptionand claimed she couldn’t figure out why people hated it. While the overall response to the movie proves there was still a large percentage of viewers who enjoyed the final product,Babylonis easily Damien Chazelle’s most divisive movie, but it shouldn’t be. Although it does have some notable flaws,the drama is still one of the most unique cinema experiences in recent memory, and it has plenty of qualities that should have made it one of 2022’s biggest hits.
Why Babylon Was So Divisive: Box Office & Reviews Explained
Babylon’s Lengthy Story & Underwhelming Marketing Campaign Led To It Becoming A Flop
WhileBabylonhas some incredible attributes, its polarizing reputation didn’t come out of nowhere, as several factors have contributed to its divisive nature. One of the biggest critiques is the movie’s length, as the total runtime is over three hours long. Length alone isn’t the only problem though, as some people felt the story was a little all over the place whileBabylon’s ending montagerubbed others the wrong way. As much as I personally enjoyed the closing stages of the film, it is understandable why certain viewers would feel it underminesBabylon’s entire message.
Babylonearned just $64.9 million from an estimated $80-110 million budget and currently has a 57% critics score and a 52% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Unfortunately, reviews weren’t the project’s only shortcomings, as very few people went to the cinemas to seeBabylonin the first place.Despite the movie featuring numerous big stars, the marketing strategy didn’t entice enough people to go and watch a non-franchise movieat a time dominated by sequels and established IPs. With Hollywood still recovering from COVID, a movie about Hollywood seemed to suffer from bad timing in addition to the previously mentioned factors but had it come out just a few years later, there’s a strong possibilityBabylonwould have performed much better, at least financially.
Babylon Deserved Much Better Reviews & A Higher Box Office
The Movie’s Interesting Premise Made It A Truly Unique Piece Of Modern Cinema
Given how interesting and boldBabylonwas, its review scores feel way too low, and its box office should have been higher. Despite its lengthy run time,Babylonflies by as there is so much going on, with the incredible performances making it easy to buy into the characters' stories. Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, and Brad Pitt are all exceptional, but the supporting cast all play memorable roles that make the film truly unforgettable. Damien Chazelle’s past record shows how creative of a director he is, andBabylonis just another example of his brilliant ideas coming to life.
The gorgeous soundtrack and wonderful costumes even earned Babylon some surprise Oscar nominations in 2023, proving that it did have some great elements that often go underappreciated.
The gorgeous soundtrack and wonderful costumes even earned the movie somesurprise Oscar nominations in 2023, proving that it did have some great elements that often go underappreciated.Babylonalso has some impressive visuals and even if it can be a little brash and over-the-top at times, there’s no denying the film has a strong identity.While 2022 was a pretty stacked year for cinema,Babylonstill stood out and excelled in many areas, confirming that the mixed reviews and financial failure will cement it as one of the most underrated movies of the decade.
Babylon Is Likely To Age Well In Several Years
The Narrative Has Already Started To Shift About Babylon
Babylon’s early response may not be the greatest, but it still has a great chance of aging well over the years. The stock of Chazelle, Robbie, and other stars involved in the project will likely grow as their careers continue to progress, meaning viewers may look back on the film fondly. It still found an audience of people who loved it, andStephen King even commented onBabylon, claiming it was “utterly brilliant.” There is an argument that the tide has already started to turn regardingBabylon, and this upward shift in momentum is a positive sign for its future.
Babylon’s Ending Explained – Breaking Down That Montage & Nellie’s Fate
Damien Chazelle’s Babylon has a lot of themes and plot points worth examining. We break down the film’s ending and where the characters ended up.
Robbie mentionedThe Shawshank Redemptionhaving similar box office troubles when it debuted, while other cult classics likeScott Pilgrim vs. the Worldsuffered a similar fate upon release. Although these movies had stronger initial reviews, their legacy has only grown stronger with time and their disappointing box office plays into that, somethingBabyloncould replicate. It may not go down as one of the best movies ever made - asThe Shawshank Redemptionhas - butBabylon’s unique story and desire to provide something new could help change its public perception and help it become a misunderstood gem.
Babylon
Babylon is a film by director Damien Chazelle (La La Land) that focuses on characters during the great Hollywood boom - when silent films moved to talking pictures, and the medium was reinvented. During this era of decadence and glamorous lifestyles in pure excess, Babylon explores the rise and fall of fictional Hollywood greats that mirror nonfictional actors and actresses throughout American history.
