Naomi Watts Knew This 7%-Rated Movie Was Going to Fail From the Very Start: "There Were Problems"

For an actor, few things are more painful than realizing that a project they've poured their heart into is doomed to fail. While viewers can sit back and be disappointed, a leading actor does not have that luxury – they must see it through to the end.

This is precisely what happened to Naomi Watts, the actress who gave the world her brilliant performance in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive.

Naomi Watts Decided to "Go Down With That Sinking Ship" When She Made 'Diana'

A decade after that triumph, she faced one of the most painful challenges of her career. In 2013, Watts took on a challenge that would have daunted many: playing Princess Diana, the most talked-about woman of the 20th century.

While working on the movie Diana, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, Watts sensed that the project was headed in the wrong direction. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, she admitted:

“I got seduced by the fantastic character. Diana did a lot of things that had positive and negative results. She was multifaceted. [...] But ultimately there were problems [with the film] and it ended up taking a direction that was not the one I was hoping for.

With risk there is every chance it's going to fail. If you have to go down with that sinking ship, so be it.”

What Is 'Diana' About?

The movie focuses on the final two years of Princess Diana's life. After separating from Prince Charles, Diana throws herself into charity work. A chance encounter at a London hospital leads her to cardiac surgeon Hasnat Khan.

The film also explores Diana's relationship with Dodi Fayed, the son of a billionaire, with whom she died in a car crash in Paris.

However, rather than offering a profound psychological portrait, the film reduces Diana's complex personality to a series of fashionable images and romantic entanglements, providing viewers with a superficial melodrama.

'Diana' Might Be Just as Bad as Its Ratings Suggest

The expectations for a Hollywood biopic about one of the world's most beloved women were enormous, but the result was disappointing. Critics unanimously deemed Diana flat and insulting, citing awkward dialogue, episodic storytelling, and a complete lack of depth.

Even the princess' many fans rejected this version of her story, accusing the filmmakers of exploiting her personal tragedy for profit.

Naomi Watts' performance, highly anticipated as it was, also failed to save the day. She was criticized for her lack of resemblance to the princess and her inability to capture her charisma.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Diana'?

• Diana has 7% from critics and 26% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 5.6/10.

• On Letterboxd, Diana scored 2.5/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Diana'?

Diana is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.