Mark Hamill has long associated himself with Star Wars to such an extent that it is hard to imagine him as anything but Luke Skywalker. Yet, the actor is as versatile as any other star. After ushering in the sci-fi revolution of the 70s, the 72-year-old is active even in 2023. His latest flick flew under the radar because of poor reception and a paltry rating by the critics. After an unsuccessful run at the box office, the movie made its way onto streaming with Netflix and the results turned out to be polar opposites.

The very same movie is now proving itself to set the tone very well among audiences with the masterful Jedi actor jumping ships to a genre far, far away.

This Mark Hamill comedy is rising up Netflix charts after flopping at the box office

After having saved the galaxy, Mark Hamill followed Arnold Schwarzenegger’s return with FUBAR, in bringing on some action comedy. The 2023 flick, The Machine starring Hamill as Bert Kreischer followed a story based on Kreischer’s 2016 stand-up gig. However, it failed to break the ice with critics and settled with a mere 32% on Rotten Tomatoes. Furthermore, the critics’ consensus adjudged it to be “A sloppily lifeless movie that’s strictly for hardcore Bert Kreischer fans…”

However, in sharp contrast, The Machine has a whopping 87% audience score. Moreover, it also finds its place at number seven on Netflix’s hallowed Top 10 list. Diving with a storyline of a father and his son with the Russian mafia involved, the movie appears to be a lovechild of The Hangover and The Midnight Run. Despite its $10 million run at the box office, it has found itself redemption at Netflix.

Interestingly, Mark Hamill’s flick is now one among the many who have felt the ‘force’. Fondly called ‘The Netflix Effect’, it refers to the streaming giant’s prowess to revive failed gems.

Unlike the fictional ‘force’ of Star Wars, ‘The Netflix Effect’ is very real

The Machine joins a long list of movies that were once deemed unworthy but turned out to be chart-toppers. The ‘Netflix Effect’ is used to describe the uptick in sales or reception of a movie after a failed run at the theaters. Breaking Bad, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Bird Box, and The Mother are some who have been a recipient of the Netflix effect.

The precise reason why Mark Hamill’s flick failed to strike gold with the audiences was because of many factors. It not being enjoyable is definitely not one of those, since the ratings have already proved it. Tough competition during Memorial Day weekend, abysmal marketing, and competition from summer heavyweights from Marvel and Tom Cruise were some reasons that punctured its tires on the move. Regardless, the movie is now widely available on Netflix and wholeheartedly welcomes the audience.

Have you watched The Machine? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.