This Critical Dud Liam Hemsworth Movie ‘Lonely Planet’ Is Now Topping Netflix Charts Globally

Published 10/14/2024, 2:02 AM EDT

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Liam Hemsworth's connection to Netflix through The Witcher might not have everyone convinced, but he is gearing up to catch the audience off guard. Fans know that it has been a tough journey for him to navigate his heroic transformation on screen, which many see as a bit anti-heroic. But his film, Lonely Planet, despite its poor critical reception, has surprisingly become a global hit for the streamer, leaving critics with little to say. 

While Netflix has consistently shown that a film's recognition may take time, this could be Hemsworth's chance to prove his worth before he steps into The Witcher.

Liam Hemsworth’s Lonely Planet steps up to the big leagues on Netflix

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Even with a low 38% on the Tomatometer and a slightly better 45% on the Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes, Lonely Planet, featuring Liam Hemsworth and Laura Dern, has soared to the top of the Netflix Global Movie Chart, according to Movie Web’s recent report. Critics have highlighted common issues found in many new Netflix releases, such as weak chemistry and subpar writing, which contribute to its forgettable nature beyond the realms of the streamer. 

via Imago

The film follows a successful female novelist who discovers an unlikely love in an exotic location. Written and directed by Susannah Grant, this romantic drama has been in the lower ranks of Rotten Tomatoes following its October 11 premiere on Netflix, while Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, gave it 47 out of 100. Despite the lukewarm reviews, Netflix has placed it high on their rankings, suggesting that Hemsworth has managed to win over subscribers, after all.

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While Dern and Hemsworth's chemistry might not have captivated the audience immediately, like the early teasers of The Witcher, Grant was thrilled to have the two leads involved.

Susannah Grant on having Liam Hemsworth and Laura Dern star Lonely Planet

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In her remarks about Lonely Planet to Netflix, Susannah Grant praised stars Liam Hemsworth and Laura Dern for their “profound commitment” to the characters and the story she aimed to bring to life. She noted that the trust between the leads was evident, and their confidence in the material made their collaboration a captivating experience—like sitting front row for “two top-tier actors working in total support and harmony.”

via Imago

Dern and Hemsworth reportedly became fast friends on set, with Dern even raving about Hemsworth's “magic.” She described him as more than just a friend but a confidant, echoing Grant’s sentiments about their strong connection, which made their work on-screen effortless. While the film may not be receiving the best reviews online, its spot at the top of Netflix raises questions about whether the streamer and the stars can change the narrative.

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What do you think of Liam Hemsworth's Lonely Planet's positioning on the top of Netflix's Global Movie Chart despite lukewarm reviews? Let us know in the comments below!

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Anushka Bhattacharya

1376 articles

I'm Anushka Bhattacharya, an entertainment journalist at Netflix Junkie. Armed with a degree in literature, I once wielded my words to catalyze change within society through my work with NGOs. However, as I stumbled into the exuberant hole of crime thrillers and documentaries on Netflix, it was love at first sight and pushed me into entertainment journalism.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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