In the age of streaming, Jason Statham and Megan Fox are proving that critical consensus does not mean a thing. Their action thriller “Expendbles”, which was brutally panned by critics and carries a humiliating percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, has suddenly surged back into the Starz top streaming charts.
The film, which served as the fourth installment of the iconic “Expendables” franchise and also starred Sylvester Stallone, originally struggled to find its footing as a theatrical flop. But now, home viewers are officially reclaiming the movie, proving that audiences do not care about sophisticated reviews when they can watch Statham kick butt and Fox bring her signature glamour to the screen.
In fact, while critics turned their noses up at the flick, the audience-driven Popcornmeter rating sits at a much more respectable percent. This massive disconnect between elite critics and the public has sparked a wave of chatter across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).
The Power of the Megan Fox Mystique
While Statham serves as the film’s action anchor, Megan Fox is the magnetic force giving this project new life. Her inclusion in the high-octane sequel added a layer of necessary, albeit chaotic, star power to the final chapter of the franchise.
Her presence alongside Stallone was a blatant attempt to attract a new generation of viewers, and the combination worked. The film previously spent more than days atop the streaming charts before its initial dip, and now it is back for round two.
Online, fans are celebrating her enduring ability to generate buzz, regardless of what the reviews say. “If Megan Fox is in an action movie, I am watching it, period,” one fan shared on X. “She looks incredible and the stunts are wild.”
Statham’s Winning Action Formula
The sudden streaming success of “Expendbles” is also linked to fans binging Statham’s filmography after the release of his movie “A Working Man”. Statham seems to be laughing all the way to the bank, proving that brand loyalty beats critical approval every single time.
The actor is doubling down on the formula that keeps his audiences engaged with an incredibly packed schedule of action flicks. He is set to reprise his role as Adam Clay in the highly anticipated sequel to “The Beekeeper”, with Timo Tjahjanto taking over the director’s chair.
Additionally, Statham is locked in for “Mutiny”, an action thriller set for a January release, and is expected to return for a larger role as Deckard Shaw in “Fast X: Part ” when production begins this summer.
Does Quality Even Matter in the Streaming Era?
The resurgence of “Expendbles” has raised some major questions among film fans online about what makes a movie successful today. With digital platforms making it easier than ever to watch movies at home, star power and pure spectacle seem to be winning the day.
While Statham’s “A Working Man” continues its digital run on Prime Video, fans of the duo are happy to keep streaming their previous collaborations.
Whether you love the over-the-top stunts or just want to turn your brain off for a couple of hours, Fox and Statham have officially delivered the ultimate guilty pleasure. The critics might have stayed home, but the rest of the internet is happily pressing play.
