Naomi Watts’ $1.6M Adventure Film Climbs Netflix’s Global Charts Three Years Later

Naomi Watts’ latest adventure film has made a remarkable impact, entering Netflix’s top 10. Spanning various genres, Watts has captivated audiences on both large and small screens since her debut in the 1990s. She gained widespread recognition with her outstanding role in David Lynch’s surreal masterpiece Mulholland Dr. (1999) and further solidified her place in the film industry with the horror classic The Ring (2002). However, it was her portrayal of Ann Darrow in Peter Jackson’s King Kong (2005) that established her as a formidable force in Hollywood.

Following her breakthrough in Jackson’s film, Watts continued to showcase her talent in several acclaimed projects, including Eastern Promises (2007), Funny Games (2007), The International (2009), and The Impossible (2012), which garnered her a second Oscar nomination after 21 Grams (2003). Other notable performances include roles in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014), Insurgent (2015), and the revival of Twin Peaks in 2017. In 2022, Watts starred in an adventure film that tells a gripping survival story, recently gaining traction on streaming platforms.

Infinite Storm Climbs to Global Success on Netflix

Naomi Watts’ Survival Movie Breaks into the Top 10

Infinite Storm has recently surged to the ninth spot on Netflix’s global top 10 chart. Directed by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert, the survival thriller is based on the true story of Pam Bales, detailed in Ty Gagne’s article “High Places: Footprints in the Snow Lead to an Emotional Rescue.”In the film, Watts embodies Pam, an intrepid climber who finds herself in a perilous blizzard while trying to help a stranded stranger reach safety before the night falls. Despite a disappointing box office showing of only $1.6 million during its theatrical run, the film is now finding a receptive audience on Netflix.

Recent data from Netflix highlights that Infinite Storm reached an incredible milestone of 7.9 million hours viewed between March 17 and March 23, contributing to a total of 4.8 million views. The film outperformed M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap, which accumulated 4.5 million views, and became the top watched title in five countries, including Argentina, Costa Rica, Honduras, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Significance of Infinite Storm’s Streaming Success

Understanding the Film’s Mixed Reviews

The ascent of Infinite Storm to Netflix’s top ranks offers a silver lining for a project that initially struggled to find its footing. Critics presented a divided response to Watts’ survival tale, with concerns regarding its pacing and some narrative choices resulting in a mediocre 56% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside a similar 55% score on the viewer-reliant Popcornmeter. However, a review by Rachel Labonte for ScreenRant eschewed the consensus, awarding the film a positive seven out of ten, asserting that Watts’ compelling performance enhances the film’s narrative:

Watts gives a game performance as a devastated mother who still chooses to see good in the world around her, and the stark, harsh beauty of what nature is capable of will impress many viewers. Though it is less concerned with the adrenaline that comes with a rescue mission, Infinite Storm would be worth a watch from those who enjoy incredible true stories, or from anyone who just might be a fan of Watts.

In the broader context of Naomi Watts’ impressive career trajectory, Infinite Storm is not likely to become a hallmark title. Nonetheless, its streaming success indicates that she continues to captivate audiences given the right circumstances. The film is now experiencing renewed interest on Netflix after an understated theatrical release, yet it is improbable that it will reach the iconic status of her previous masterpieces like Mulholland Dr., The Impossible, 21 Grams, and King Kong.

Source: Netflix

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