“Land of Bad” is a captivating under-the-radar action thriller from 2024 that has taken the world by storm after becoming a global hit on Netflix. The film, co-written and directed by William Eubank (known for “Underwater”), offers a gripping portrayal of a US Army special forces team on a mission to recover an intelligence asset, only to be ambushed and left fighting for survival. Their only lifeline in the midst of a grueling 48-hour battle is a distant Air Force drone operator who comes to their aid. The movie features a stellar cast including Russell Crowe, Liam Hemsworth, Luke Hemsworth, Ricky Whittle, and Milo Ventimiglia, making it a must-watch for action enthusiasts and fans of intense war films.
In 2024, Russell Crowe’s action thriller, “Land of Bad,” initially had a quiet release but has now achieved global success on Netflix. During the week of July 15-21, the movie secured the third position on Netflix’s Global Top 10 chart, with 8.7 million views and 16.6 million hours viewed. This ranking placed “Land of Bad” below “Trolls Band Together” and the new Netflix original “Find Me Falling,” all of which made their debut in the Top 10 during the same week.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Russell Crowe established himself as an A-list leading man in Hollywood, garnering critical acclaim and industry recognition. His first Oscar nomination came for his riveting portrayal of a conflicted tobacco executive in the film “The Insider.” However, it was his role as a Roman general in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” that earned him the prestigious award. Crowe continued to showcase his acting prowess with his compelling performance as the schizophrenic math genius John Nash in “A Beautiful Mind,” which also earned him another Oscar nomination. Notably, both “Gladiator” and “A Beautiful Mind” received nominations for Best Picture, with the former winning the award, solidifying Crowe’s legacy as a versatile and accomplished actor.
In the 2000s, Russell Crowe delivered compelling performances that garnered widespread praise. However, he faced challenges with supporting roles in “Man of Steel,” “The Mummy,” and other films, leading some to perceive him as a B-list actor in recent years. His recent projects include “Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher,” “The Greatest Beer Run Ever,” “Poker Face” (2022 film), “The Pope’s Exorcist,” “Sleeping Dogs,” and “The Exorcism.” Unfortunately, these films received negative reviews from critics and underperformed at the box office.
“Land of Bad” is a departure from Russell Crowe’s recent filmography. Unlike some of his other recent movies, this action thriller actually garnered positive reviews from critics. They applauded the film for its gripping set pieces and the well-assembled cast, resulting in a respectable 65% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the critical acclaim, the movie struggled at the box office, grossing only $6.5 million after its release on February 16. While its theatrical performance was underwhelming, there’s hope that “Land of Bad” could find success on Netflix and attract a wider audience. Nonetheless, its lackluster box office performance may disappoint fans who were hoping for a return to critical and commercial triumphs for Crowe.
