Biographical films have always been a favorite genre for those looking for exciting real-life stories, and Netflix leaned heavily on this trend of true story films. The streaming platform offers acclaimed biographical films such as Stupid money (2023), which chronicles the Redditor behind GameStop’s stock surge, and To harvest (2024), based on the journalists who interviewed Prince Andrew about his relationship with Jeffery Epstein, who captivated audiences with their compelling narratives presented in infotainment form.
Netflix’s recent biopics will come to streaming, like the British drama film Happiness (2024), following the doctors who pioneered the first successful IVF treatment, have been embraced by the public. The platform’s investment in biographical dramas also reflects a growing trend. Films that struggled in theaters are finding a whole new audience on the platformsometimes even exceeding expectations. This shift allowed lesser-known stories to reach millions of viewers around the world, offering a second life to films that might otherwise have disappeared below the box office red line.
Rob Peace’s rise in Netflix’s global Top 10
Netflix revives the legacy of a forgotten biographical drama
This week, Netflix has another unexpected biopic hit on its hands with the 2024 drama Rob Paz. Directed and written by award-winning Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 years of slavery), the new biopic grossed just $422,329 during its theatrical run. The film recently climbed into the global top 10 in Netflixcurrently in position 10. Based on the critically acclaimed biography by Jeff Hobbs The short and tragic life of Robert PeaceEjiofor’s adaptation follows the inspiring but heartbreaking true story of Rob Peace, a Yale graduate from Newark who struggles to reconcile his academic success with his father’s incarceration.
Featuring Jay Will in the titular role alongside Mary J. Blige and Ejiofor, Rob Paz was a critical success, but failed to connect with audiences at the time of its theatrical release on August 16, 2024. Netflix’s platform, however, breathed new life into the film, introducing it to a worldwide audience and sparking new conversations about its poignant themes of race, class, and resilience in the face of oppressive social structures that leave many of the characters in Rob Paz with only two options: prison or death.
What Rob Peace’s Streaming Success Means
Netflix could level the playing field for smaller films
The resurgence of Rob Paz on Netflix highlights the transformative power of streaming platforms in redefining a film’s success. Alien: Romulus (2024) and the romantic drama End with us (2024) were two box office successes that may have hindered the arrival of Rob Paz in August. While the film may have struggled to make an impact in theaters, its arrival on Netflix allowed it to find a new audience and generate global buzz, boasting a 94% audience score on Rotten tomatoes.
The film’s inclusion in the global Top 10 shows how streaming can amplify the relevance of a story, generating discussions about systemic inequalities and bringing audiences face to face with the real struggles of marginalized communities.
Netflix’s ability to reveal stories like Rob Paz talks about its role as a cultural equalizer, giving films that might otherwise have been overshadowed by blockbusters a chance to shine. The film’s inclusion in the global Top 10 shows how streaming can amplify the relevance of a story, generating discussions about systemic inequalities and bring audiences face to face with the real struggles of marginalized communities. This success could pave the way for similar films to be greenlit, as Netflix sees its audience flock to authentic, untold stories from underrepresented perspectives.
Source: Netflix, Rotten tomatoes