“Rotten” Liam Neeson movie races up the Netflix chart

A Liam Neeson movie that is certified “rotten” on Rotten Tomatoes has raced to second place on the Netflix Top 10 chart – in less than two days. 

It’s happened many times before and it’ll happen again – movies that flopped their way into obscurity, only to find a new lease of life when they arrive on Netflix. Notably, these films often have something in common: big names in the cast. 

There’s The Snowman starring Michael Fassbender, which earned a shockingly low 7% from the critics and 18% from audiences, only to enjoy success on streaming years after its release. Other recent examples include a Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams romance, an underrated Samuel L. Jackson thriller, and a Hugh Jackman sci-fi flick.

Now it’s the turn of a movie starring Liam Neeson, who departs his usual thriller-action role to serve romantic dramedy instead. 

“Rotten” Liam Neeson movie races up the Netflix chart

James D’Arcy’s 2020 movie Made in Italy, starring Neeson alongside Lindsay Duncan Valeria Bilello, and Micheál Richardson, has raced to second place on the Netflix Top 10 chart – despite earning just 44% and 40% from critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. 

You can check out the full list as it currently stands below: 

1. American Assassin
2. Made in Italy
3. Orion and the Dark
4. Ready Player One
5. The Super Mario Bros Movie
6. The Vow
7. Tom & Jerry
8. The Greatest Night in Pop
9. Pacific Rim
10. Redemption

The lengthy synopsis reads: “Made In Italy is a heart-warming father-son story set in glorious Tuscany about bohemian London artist Robert (Neeson), who returns to Italy with his estranged son Jack (Richardson) to make a quick sale of the house they inherited from his late wife. Neither expects to find the once-beautiful villa in such a state of disrepair…

“Renovations go badly, with father and son soon finding themselves at odds. Robert’s comical lack of DIY experience leads him to seek help from some colorful locals including the no-nonsense Kate (Duncan), an expat making her living selling villas who quickly captures his attention. 

“For Jack, the state of the house seems to mirror his search for memories of happier times with his mother. He soon falls for Natalia (Bilello), a vivacious young Italian chef, who restores both body and soul with delights from her local trattoria – until the pair find their developing relationship in jeopardy from Natalia’s jealous and threatening ex-husband. 

“As Robert and Jack painstakingly restore the villa to its previous glory, they also start to mend their relationship. The future may now look quite different and surprise them both.”

You might not know that Richardson is actually Neeson’s son IRL – but even their relationship wasn’t enough to win over the critics. As said by The Times: “There’s nothing original here and, despite the real-life parallels, little authenticity.” IndieWire added: “A treacly slog with a screenplay that fails the storied talent of its elder lead and the promising gifts of his younger counterpart.”

But it’s a different story for Netflix viewers, who have been tuning in to watch Made in Italy since it dropped on the streamer on February 7. “I want to share this beauty of a movie with you starring Liam Neeson,” wrote one X user, adding, “It’s well worth your time.”