The last few years for Henry Cavill have not exactly been a parade of positive headlines—more like a rollercoaster of drama and disappointment. But do not let that overshadow his impressive 24-year journey in the biz! Despite some early eye-rolls, Cavill’s chameleon-like transformation into various action heroes has eventually won people over. Take his 2012 movie, for instance: it did not exactly make a splash with a dismal 4% on the Tomatometer, but it is now thriving on a free streaming platform with newfound popularity.

Amidst the fierce battles between streaming giants vying for a bigger slice of the audience every quarter, the surprising rise of this Cavill flick was not exactly on fans' bingo cards for 2024.

Henry Cavill might not be having his best year with many of his projects teetering on the edge, but a blast from the past has finally found the shine it lacked after 12 years of its release. His 2012 action flick with Bruce Willis, The Cold Light of Day, once notorious for its dismal 4% Rotten Tomatoes score, has emerged victorious in its quest for redemption and finding a new audience on Amazon Prime Video's Freevee.

Action movies have not exactly won over critics, with their endless explosions, epic beat downs, and classic one-liners often blending into one big blur of boom. Yet, audiences still cannot get enough of this tried-and-true formula. So, even though The Cold Light of Day got a rough reception when it first dropped, it managed to find its rightful fans even though more than a decade later, proving even a blast from the past can have its moment if there are people to root for its value.

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Despite the film’s rise from the ashes like a phoenix, here are the reasons The Cold Light of Day took a nosedive in reception. 

Henry Cavill’s 2012 film, The Cold Light of Day, starring alongside Bruce Willis, had the makings of a blockbuster but ended up being a bit of a letdown. Despite the star power, critics were not thrilled and called it a mediocre copycat of other action franchises. Willis’ backseat role did not help much, and Cavill’s spotlight only made things worse.

The movie throws together the classic tropes: a secret agent hiding his life from his family, a crucial item that bad guys are after, and a ticking clock to save the day. Cavill’s character, Will Shaw, finds himself in the middle of the action when his family is kidnapped during a Spanish vacation. Critics and audiences agreed on a 29% score, noting that while the film is a bit over-the-top with its action and melodrama. However, it has found a place in the world, especially on Freevee, giving the forgotten flick a chance for rediscovery.

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What do you think of Henry Cavill's The Cold Light of Day's newfound popularity on Amazon Prime Video's Freevee? Let us know in the comments below!