Netflix’s latest release, Rebel Moon Part 2: The Scargiver, has landed at the top of the streaming service’s most-watched movies list for the week. However, despite its popularity, the movie has been receiving harsh criticism from both critics and fans. The high cost of the project, totaling around $166 million for both parts, combined with its poor reception and mediocre viewership, does not bode well for the future of the franchise. Zack Snyder had envisioned a universe spanning 4-6 movies, but it seems unlikely that further investment will be made based on the current state of affairs.
The first installment of Rebel Moon failed to break into Netflix’s Top 10 list of all-time most-watched movies, with viewership numbers standing at around 80-90 million. As a sequel to a poorly-received film, Part 2 is expected to fare even worse. Additionally, the upcoming R-rated cuts of both parts, set to be released this summer, are not likely to attract a significant audience, even though they may have been the versions that should have been released initially. The overall outlook for Rebel Moon seems grim, with little hope for a revival unless a miraculous turnaround occurs.
Comparing Rebel Moon Part 1 and Part 2 to Netflix’s all-time most-watched original movies, the stark contrast in scores becomes apparent. While films like Red Notice and The Gray Man were able to thrive despite negative critic reviews, Rebel Moon falls short in both critical acclaim and audience reception. With critic scores at 21% and 17%, and audience scores at 57% and 50% respectively, it is clear that the franchise is not resonating with viewers in the same way as other successful Netflix films.
A consensus score as low as that of Rebel Moon is often indicative of poor film quality, and without a higher audience score to drive word of mouth, the future of the franchise looks bleak. The high cost of producing a sci-fi blockbuster, coupled with lackluster reviews and viewership, may spell the end for Rebel Moon after the release of its R-rated cuts. Barring a significant turnaround or unforeseen miracle, it seems unlikely that the universe envisioned by Zack Snyder will see further development on Netflix’s platform.
Despite its initial success in terms of viewership, Rebel Moon Part 2: The Scargiver is facing an uphill battle in terms of critical reception and long-term sustainability. As Netflix prioritizes viewership over prestige, the unfavorable combination of poor reviews and high production costs does not bode well for the franchise’s future. Only time will tell if any potential sequels or spin-offs will materialize in the wake of this mixed reception.
