Netflix users will soon have access to the 2017 monster movie flop The Great Wall, starring Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal. The film follows the story of two mercenaries who journey to ancient China in search of gunpowder, only to find themselves battling a mammoth monster at the Great Wall and joining forces with Chinese soldiers to fend off a horde of other creatures. Despite its star-studded cast and grand production, The Great Wall struggled to make a mark at the domestic box office, earning only $45.1 million during its seven-week run in U.S. theaters.
In a recent podcast interview, Matt Damon admitted that The Great Wall was not one of his best career moves, revealing that even his daughter found the film lacking in greatness. Damon defended the movie against accusations of cultural appropriation, likening its plot to classic stories like Lawrence of Arabia and Avatar. Despite his attempts to rationalize the film’s narrative, Damon’s daughter’s criticism remains a humorous reminder of The Great Wall’s shortcomings in the eyes of audiences and critics alike.
Upon its release in 2017, The Great Wall opened to a lukewarm reception in U.S. theaters, debuting in third place behind The Lego Batman Movie and Fifty Shades Darker. Despite its lackluster performance domestically, the film managed to attract international audiences, earning $289.3 million at the global box office against a $150 million budget. However, ultimately, The Great Wall failed to recoup its production costs, losing $75 million after factoring in all expenses.
Critically, The Great Wall received a harsh reception from both reviewers and audiences, scoring a 35% “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 238 reviews. Viewer ratings were equally unimpressed, giving the film a tepid 42% positive score. Despite being directed by renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou and featuring a talented ensemble cast, including Willem Dafoe, Tian Jing, and Andy Lau, The Great Wall failed to make a lasting impact on audiences and failed to garner critical acclaim.
As The Great Wall prepares to make its debut on Netflix on May 1, viewers will have the opportunity to judge the film for themselves and decide whether it deserves a second chance. The streaming platform’s decision to add the movie to its lineup may give it a new lease on life and attract a fresh wave of viewers curious to see Damon and Pascal in action against formidable monsters in ancient China. Only time will tell if The Great Wall can find redemption with a wider audience on the small screen.
