Netflix is still the go-to source of streaming entertainment for hundreds of thousands of fans. The empire under the big red N wasn't built on a diverse selection of enjoyable classics. They got where they are today by producing high-quality original content. They've got their logo on some of the finest series of the past decade, but their recent action films have left much to be desired.
Action blockbusters are one of many genres to become dominated by a few marketable franchises. There's room for innovation, but there are far too many examples of rehashed concepts with new actors in the leading role. Netflix is one of the worst offenders. Their posters are designed before their plotlines.
Netflix's action movies have never been critical hits
Heart of Stone is the latest of Netflix's big-budget action efforts. It's yet another effort to give Gal Gadot a reliably bankable franchise. She's a minor player in the Fast and Furious Saga, Wonder Woman (for now,) and one of the three stars of Red Notice. Heart of Stone stayed in Netflix's top 10 most-watched movies list for some time after its release. However, it earned a withering 27% positive score from 121 critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Gadot's other starring vehicle, Red Notice, only fared 10 points better. Her co-star Ryan Reynolds headlined 6 Underground, which only managed 36%. Ryan Gosling's fast-paced spy movie, The Gray Man, made it to 45%. Triple Frontier is an exception to the rule, with a 70% positive rating. The undisputed winner is The Old Guard, which pulled down a dramatic 80%. The rare examples that succeed on that level tend to have a solid central concept. Most aren't so lucky.
Streaming action movies feel like they're missing something
The problem with Netflix's action library is that every well-known entry is made to promote the stars of the piece rather than to tell a story. Most borrow tropes from a ton of other popular action films without understanding what made them fun. Narratively, they're almost all spy movies that de-emphasize the espionage elements in favor of running, shooting, and punching. Red Notice, Heart of Stone, and The Gray Man have differences and unique traits, but they feel like episodes of a dull but well-funded TV show. Given the lack of restraint, it's surprising that they aren't building toward a generic spy movie cinematic universe. The handful of exciting action set pieces in The Gray Man or the decent stunts in Heart of Stone fail to justify the overall film's existence. These films need the kind of premise that could stand without superstars on the poster.
The usual comparison point to films like Heart of Stone is the Mission: Impossible franchise. They have too much in common to ignore. Heart of Stone is meant to launch Gal Gadot into a similar multi-film deal as Tom Cruise. To interrogate the possibility of that idea, imagine a version of Mission: Impossible without Tom Cruise. Those well-executed spy films wouldn't exist without Cruise. It's like homeopathy. They're reducing the already-thin plot and storytelling details to slip a new lead actor into the role. There's not much left to rely on. These films feature insipid writing, dull plotlines, and absurd narrative directions. Several Netflix action films fail to consider the implications of their story, occasionally delivering strange and morally questionable conclusions. Talented filmmakers seem to go on autopilot to put these projects together. Safe in the knowledge that the name in the credits will sell the film. They've been frustratingly accurate for too long.
Extraction is the exception to the rule
Extractionand Extraction 2 are among the best of Netflix's action output. They make many of the same mistakes, but their payoff is worth it. Chris Hemsworth handles the superstar role, portraying mercenary Tyler Rake. The Extraction movies deliver some of the best action set pieces on the streaming service. The film succeeds through measured expectations and solid delivery. Hemsworth feels like he's there to do stunts, punch stuntmen, and occasionally light himself on fire for dramatic effect. He's not there to build his brand or set up a larger franchise. They may be deeply stupid. They may be the funniest example of using colors to signify a location ever made. At least they seem like films that were made for a reason.
Netflix's feature-length commercials for celebrities will continue to be produced. Red Notice will get a sequel, while The Gray Man is supposed to get a new installment and a spin-off. Heart of Stone may have earned its shareholders enough to give Gal Gadot another shot. They'll keep winning top spots on the service's Top 10 movies lists. People have a hard time deciding what to watch on streaming services. When they see a performer they enjoy in a film they've never heard of, they're likely to give it a shot. That simple quirk of the spoiled-for-choice streaming audience will continue to provide sub-par action films a platform for a long time. If only viewers would start Googling these films before they click play.