11 Years Later, Fantasy Flop With a 12% Score on RT Just Blew up Netflix's Top 3
This movie is a prime example of how a movie that doesn't meet studio expectations can find new life on streaming platforms.
Seventh Son, which bombed at the box office and received scathing reviews ten years ago, has unexpectedly returned to the top three most popular films on Netflix.
Based on Joseph Delaney's novel The Spook's Apprentice, this 2014 movie proves that failure in theaters isn't always a death sentence and that a project can find an audience through streaming.
What Is Seventh Son About?
The plot revolves around the confrontation between the last witch hunter, Master Gregory, and the powerful sorceress Mother Malkin, whom Gregory imprisoned centuries ago.
When evil breaks loose, Gregory must prepare his new apprentice, Tom Ward – the seventh son of a seventh son – in just a few weeks for a battle that will determine the fate of humanity.
They face werewolves, dragons, and other creatures of dark magic, aided by a mysterious half-witch named Alice.
Seventh Son Was One of the Biggest Fantasy Flops of the Last Decade
Despite its $95 million budget, Seventh Son only grossed $114 million worldwide, making it one of the biggest box office flops of 2014.
The movie received negative reviews, as evidenced by its 12% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The release date was repeatedly postponed due to creative differences within the studio, ultimately landing the film at the worst possible time.
Plans to create a franchise based on Joseph Delany's 18 novels never materialized.
Despite Its Failure, Seventh Son Is a Worthy Fairy Tale With Spectacular Action & Star-Studded Cast
Despite its failure, Seventh Son has its merits. It's a classic fairy tale that is simple yet captivating, aimed primarily at families and teenagers. While the movie isn't overloaded with complex philosophy, it has everything the genre requires: epic dragon battles, magic, and a clear moral.
Moreover, Seventh Son features spectacular action scenes, which still hold up well today.
Seventh Son's greatest asset is its stellar cast. Jeff Bridges gives a memorable performance as the grumpy mentor, Julianne Moore shines as the stylish and scheming villain, and Alicia Vikander and Ben Barnes bring romance and charm to the story.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of Seventh Son?
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Seventh Son has 12% from critics and 34% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 5.5/10.
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On Letterboxd, Seventh Son is scored 2.1/5.
