A controversial film featuring John Cena has made its way into Netflix’s top 10 list, though reactions are mixed.
John Cena, much like his WWE counterpart Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, has garnered a substantial fanbase. However, his popularity doesn’t guarantee universal acclaim for the movies he stars in.
This is evident with one of Cena’s more recent films. Like The Rock, he has the ability to attract viewers with his commanding presence and impressive physique.
As one fan expressed on Twitter: “I’d watch John Cena read the phone book.”
This comment accompanied a still from the movie in question.
The film centers on former special forces operative Mason Pettis, portrayed by Cena, who takes on a freelance assignment to safeguard Claire Wellington, a journalist played by Alison Brie, during her interview with dictator Juan Venegas, played by Juan Pablo Raba, in a fictional nation.
What seems like a straightforward operation takes a dramatic turn when a military coup erupts, forcing the trio to fight for their survival.
Titled Freelance, the film did poorly at the box office following its 2023 release. However, its acquisition by Netflix has revived its popularity on the streaming platform.
The movie climbed to seventh place in Netflix’s top 10 movies, with some viewers praising it, such as one who tweeted: “Freelance by John Cena is such an amazing movie.”
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a low tomatometer score of 10 percent, which was initially zero percent at its release.
Critics were harsh, with Travis Hopson from Punch Drunk Critics stating: “Freelance is an utter disaster that I can’t believe John Cena and Alison Brie agreed to be a part of.”
Robert Kojder from Flickering Myth commented: “A head-scratching disaster that doesn’t so much as mix genres and tones but rather puzzlingly cycles through them with no apparent reason or thematic purpose, desperately hoping something starts to click.”
Roger Moore from Movie Nation remarked: “‘Very dumb’ barely covers how silly and violent this half-assed Banana Republic riff turns out to be.”
Despite critical reviews, the audience score is notably higher, resting at a reasonable 78 percent.
If you’re seeking a profound cinematic experience from Freelance, it’s likely not the film for you. However, for those in the mood for a light watch, it might just be worth checking out.