A new Netflix film based on a true story has just debuted on Rotten Tomatoes, and the critical response has been promising. While Netflix offers many originals in the science fiction and fantasy genres, more grounded shows and films based on true stories have also been historically popular on the streamer. Sometimes they take the form of true crime shows, like the popular Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendezbut they were also more straightforward dramas.
The Founderfor example, starring Michael Keaton, it was well-received in 2017, with the story of how McDonald’s became one of the biggest restaurant chains in the world. 2023 was a particularly strong year for Netflix’s based-on-a-true-story film, with NyadBradley Cooper Conductorand Rustin all receiving positive reviews and award recognition. Another 2024 Netflix film based on true events now looks set to join this respectable club.
Joy debuts on Rotten Tomatoes with a strong score
Netflix’s historical drama is pleasing critics
HappinessNetflix’s latest film based on a true story has been successful with critics and has a high score on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Ben Taylor, the film tells the true story of how a nurse, a scientist and a surgeon created the first test tube babyLouise Joy Brown. THE Happiness The cast features a number of impressive names, including Thomasin McKenzie (Last night in Soho) as Jean Purdy, James Norton (Little Women) as Robert Edwards and Bill Nighy (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1) as Patrick Steptoe.
Ahead of the film’s release on Netflix on November 22, Rotten tomatoes reveals that Happiness debuted with an impressive 87% in 23 reviewsat the time of writing. This score may vary as more reviews are added, but it still represents a strong start for the film. No audience scores are available yet, but it should start to take shape on the site after its streaming launch on Friday.
What Joy’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Means for the Movie
Will it be an audience success?
THE Happiness the reviews released so far can mostly be described as “solid” rather than “glowing”, with critics praising the film for its sincerity and performance, even if the endeavor as a whole seems somewhat limited by the numbers. Nighy, in particular, is touted as the project’s highlight, but audiences shouldn’t expect many narrative surprises or cinematic flourishes here.
Typically, a high Rotten Tomatoes can speak to a film’s box office prospects, but like a Netflix release, Happiness it will have no real impact on the box office. It’s possible that the film will become a hit with audiences for the streamer, but a historical drama without a big movie star appears to be a quieter release. HappinessThe high Rotten Tomatoes score suggests, however, that the Netflix film could slowly gain traction over time.
Source: Rotten tomatoes