The new Netflix original film 180, a South African revenge thriller described as gritty and suspenseful, has become one of the most watched titles on the streaming platform in the UK, despite a torrent of scathing reviews from viewers who have labelled it among the worst movies ever made.
Chart Success Amidst Critical Panning
Released just last week, 180 has rapidly ascended Netflix's charts, currently holding the fourth position in the top 10 films among UK subscribers. This places it behind other recent additions: the comedy Roommates, the creature feature Thrash, and the nature documentary Gorilla Story Told By David Attenborough. Despite its popularity, Netflix has provided minimal information about the production, leaving viewers to discover its content firsthand.
Plot and Production Details
The film is billed as a gritty thriller that follows a father's descent into vengeance after an unexpected road rage incident leaves his son in critical condition. Marketed as suspenseful and emotional, it aims to explore themes of turmoil and retribution. However, this premise has not resonated well with audiences, who have taken to online platforms to voice their dissatisfaction.
Viewer Backlash and Criticisms
While only one professional critic has published a review online—calling it an above-average thriller with tension and food for thought—the response from film fans has been overwhelmingly negative. Many viewers have expressed frustration with the film's execution, particularly targeting its writing and character development.
One viewer remarked, "One of the worst movies I have ever watched. Trust me don’t waste your time. It is not at all a realistic depiction of how a father would seek revenge. The main character has to be the dumbest character on the planet. What a joke." Another added, "This may possibly be the worst I’ve ever watched in my life. They tried making a sentimental movie but they completely missed the mark."
Redeeming Qualities and Flaws
Some viewers attempted to find positives, with many praising the cinematography and acting as highlights. One noted, "Honestly, the cinematography was great, and the acting was good—this could have been a great film." However, they quickly pointed out significant drawbacks, stating that the main character is poorly written, lacking situational awareness, and constantly finds himself in perilous situations that strain credibility.
They elaborated, "He is brash in the face of stone-cold killers and even issues threats from a car boot while hoodwinked and handcuffed behind his back. Silly doesn’t quite cover it." This led some to fast-forward through much of the film, suggesting that only the inciting incident and conclusion are worth watching, as the middle sections are frustrating and poorly constructed.
Impact on Streaming Trends
The success of 180 on Netflix's charts highlights a curious trend where films can achieve high viewership despite negative reception, possibly driven by algorithmic recommendations or viewer curiosity. This phenomenon underscores the platform's influence in shaping viewing habits, even when content is critically panned.
As 180 continues to stream on Netflix, it serves as a case study in how polarising content can still capture audience attention, raising questions about the metrics of success in the digital entertainment era. Whether this will lead to more such productions or a shift in viewer expectations remains to be seen.
