Liam Neeson’s Latest Netflix Movie Tops Charts Despite Negative Reviews

Liam Neeson’s new action film has become Netflix’s number one movie this week. “Ice Road: Vengeance” premiered on the streaming platform on October 18th. The sequel to 2021’s “The Ice Road” has attracted significant viewership despite poor critical reception. This continues Netflix’s trend of popular but poorly-reviewed content dominating its charts.

According to Netflix’s official rankings, the film secured the top spot in the United States. It outperformed other popular titles including new releases and established hits. The streaming giant updates its Top 10 list daily based on viewership hours.

Unexpected Success For Critically Panned Sequel

“Ice Road: Vengeance” has received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. The film holds a 17% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 18 professional reviews. Audience scores are slightly better but still poor at 28%.

The movie continues Neeson’s tradition of playing tough, revenge-driven characters. He stars alongside Chinese actress Bingbing Fan in this adventure thriller. Jonathan Hensleigh, who directed the first film, returned to helm this sequel.

Netflix has not released specific viewership numbers for the film. The platform typically shares hours viewed rather than complete viewer counts. Industry analysts suggest recognizable stars like Neeson often drive initial viewer engagement regardless of quality.

Netflix’s Pattern Of Popular But Poorly-Reviewed Content

This phenomenon reflects a broader trend on streaming platforms. Familiar actors and franchises often drive viewing decisions more than critical reception. According to entertainment industry reports, audiences frequently choose recognizable content over unknown quality titles.

Netflix’s algorithm also promotes newly added content heavily. This gives recent additions a significant advantage in visibility. The platform’s home page prominently features its Top 10 row, driving additional views to already popular titles.

The original “The Ice Road” film also performed well on Netflix despite mixed reviews. This suggests audiences have an established appetite for Neeson’s particular brand of action thriller. The actor has developed a loyal following for his late-career action persona.

Liam Neeson’s latest Netflix movie demonstrates the disconnect between critical opinion and popular entertainment choices. The film’s success highlights how star power and familiar formulas continue to drive viewing behavior on streaming platforms.

Thought you’d like to know

What is “Ice Road: Vengeance” about?

The film follows Liam Neeson’s character as he travels to Nepal to scatter his brother’s ashes. His tour bus gets hijacked by mercenaries connected to corrupt business interests. He must fight to protect both the passengers and a local village.

How did the first “Ice Road” movie perform?

The original 2021 film received mixed reviews but found substantial viewership on Netflix. It followed truck drivers navigating dangerous frozen waterways to deliver crucial supplies. The film established the characters and scenario that continue in this sequel.

Why do poorly-reviewed movies often trend on Netflix?

Familiar actors and easy-to-understand premises often drive initial viewer engagement. Netflix’s algorithm also promotes newly added content heavily regardless of quality. Many viewers choose recognizable entertainment over critically acclaimed but unknown titles.

What other Liam Neeson movies are popular on Netflix?

Several of Neeson’s action films have performed well on the platform, including “Taken” and “Unknown.” His particular brand of revenge-driven storytelling resonates with streaming audiences. Netflix has become a home for his later-career action movies.

Are there better action alternatives on Netflix?

Viewers seeking quality action might prefer Netflix’s original thriller “Rebel Ridge.” The platform also offers critically acclaimed action films like “Extraction” and “The Night Comes for Us.” These alternatives generally received better reviews from critics.

Trusted Sources: Netflix, Rotten Tomatoes, entertainment industry reports