When it comes to the initial reception of the immensely expensive film, Rebel Moon, if you work in content development at Netflix right now, you're facing a DEFCON 1-level event. The critical response to Zack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon Part 1 - A Child of Fire' has been overwhelmingly negative. While more reviews are being added, the film currently holds a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a rather low score (Update: now 26% with 38 reviews). I just read a review that labeled it as 'the cinematic equivalent of an NFT,' or a burn on the surface of the sun.
Before Snyder defenders rush to his rescue, it's worth noting that Snyder is not universally 'hated' by detractors. The majority of his films, from 'Dawn of the Dead' to '300' to 'Watchmen' to 'Justice League,' have a 60-70% rating. There are a few lower ones, such as 'Batman V Superman' at 29% and 'Sucker Punch' at 22%, but 'Rebel Moon' is now the lowest. And this one really, really needed to succeed.
Netflix has invested money and excitement into 'Rebel Moon,' which has been dubbed 'Zack Snyder's Star Wars' (it is based on an actual failed Star Wars pitch). This is only Part 1 of 2, with the second installment arriving in April 2024, and it's difficult to imagine these numbers suddenly skyrocketing for that. There will also be at least one 'Rebel Moon' video game, and Snyder has previously mentioned a big AAA RPG on a 'ridiculous scale.'
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Netflix's original films have had tremendous hits and flops. They can produce Oscar contenders or dreadful blockbusters, and 'Rebel Moon' would not be the first. However, it is expected to be the most visible, with a budget of roughly $166 million for both films. Not bad in the world of borderline money-laundering superheroes, but probably high for most films.
Of course, what Netflix cares about most is how many people see the film, not what critics say. They couldn't care less whether something receives a zero percent and a billion watching hours. Critics loathed 'Red Notice' (37%), but fans loved it (92%), and it was quickly greenlit for a sequel.
Rebel Moon? We'll have to wait until it's out to find out. Snyder's following is one of the most vocal on the internet, and I have no doubt that many of them will love the picture regardless of its flaws and give it high marks. However, as loud as they are, they will not be enough to make this a hit; it will need to appeal to a far larger sci-fi-interested audience. While critics warn not to spend your time (and it will be a lot of time, with a 4+ hour gap between the two films), spectators must make their own decisions. After all, you aren't required to purchase a ticket."
