Ninja Action-Thriller Produced by Wachowskis Achieves Streaming Success 15 Years After 26% Rotten Tomatoes Rating

A martial arts film from 2009, produced by the renowned Wachowskis, is currently making waves on streaming platforms. The Wachowski siblings, who initially made their mark with the 1996 crime thriller Bound, garnered international acclaim for their landmark 1999 science fiction action film, The Matrix, which starred Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss. This iconic film received widespread critical praise and is recognized as a modern classic and one of the most significant science-fiction films of all time.

In the wake of The Matrix‘s unexpected success, the Wachowskis went on to expand the franchise with The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, both released in 2003. They also ventured into various genres, creating the dystopian action film V For Vendetta, the vibrant sports action-comedy Speed Racer, and the ambitious narrative of Cloud Atlas. Their exploration of the sci-fi space continued with Jupiter Ascending in 2015 and the Netflix series Sense8. However, it appears that their 2009 martial arts action film is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity on streaming services.

Ninja Assassin Gains Streaming Popularity 15 Years After Release

Strong Performance on Max

Ninja Assassin follows a disillusioned assassin on a quest for vengeance against his former mentor. Although the film had a modest box office performance, grossing $61.6 million on a $30 million budget, it received poor reviews, earning a meager 26% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The recent re-release of The Matrix on Paramount+ and Jupiter Ascending on Max may have rekindled interest in the Wachowskis’ filmography, contributing to a newfound audience for their previous works.

Despite its rocky reception, Ninja Assassin is currently performing surprisingly well on HBO’s Max. As of now, it ranks fourth on the platform’s Top 10 Movies Today in the United States, following classics like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Elf. It has outpaced popular films such as Clash of the Titans and The Goonies.

Our Take on Ninja Assassin’s Streaming Popularity

The Impact of Recent Releases

Rain as Raizo, in an action scene from Ninja Assassin

Several factors may explain Ninja Assassin‘s surprising performance on Max. Its martial arts action provides a form of escapism, diverging from the myriad festive films dominating the streaming scene. The renewed visibility of the Wachowskis’ oeuvre, fueled by the recent streaming debuts of The Matrix and Jupiter Ascending, likely contributed to this serendipitous revival. This uptick in popularity might even open doors for a potential sequel, Ninja Assassin 2.

Director James McTeigue, who previously collaborated with the Wachowskis on V For Vendetta, helmed this film, further connecting it to their celebrated body of work.

Source: Max

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