Cameron Diaz’s highly anticipated return to Hollywood in the Netflix movie Back in Action has garnered a significant audience response, despite a negative review from critics. Directed by Seth Gordon, known for Horrible Bosses, the film stars Diaz alongside Jamie Foxx in an action-comedy. They portray Emily and Matt, former CIA agents who must go on the run with their children after their secret identities are exposed by a mysterious adversary. This marks the first time Diaz and Foxx have worked together since 2014’s Annie.
While the movie has faced harsh criticism from reviewers, achieving only a 24% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score tells a different story. With over 250 user reviews, Back in Action has earned a solid 64% approval rating, more than double the critics’ score. This positive audience reception has earned the film a “Fresh” status on Rotten Tomatoes, signaling a favorable start for Diaz’s Hollywood comeback.
Despite critical complaints about the script and pacing, Diaz’s performance has been recognized as one of the film’s standout qualities. Viewers have praised Back in Action as an enjoyable family movie, with many highlighting the chemistry between Diaz and Foxx as a major draw. This divide in reception emphasizes Diaz’s star power, with audiences clearly appreciative of her presence, even if the film’s content doesn’t meet all expectations.
Notably, this marks Diaz’s first “Fresh” rating from audiences in over 15 years. Her films in the 2000s and 2010s were generally met with lukewarm to poor reception from critics and audiences alike, with her last Fresh score coming from the 2009 drama My Sister’s Keeper.
While Back in Action may not have dazzled critics, the audience response reflects the continued affection for Diaz’s talent and charm. This strong showing suggests that if Diaz selects projects that align with her strengths and capitalize on her star power, she could experience a major career resurgence. Upcoming roles in Outcome, a dark comedy co-written by Jonah Hill, and Shrek 5, set for release in December 2026, could further cement her comeback.
Even though Back in Action has not received widespread acclaim, its audience score highlights that viewers are eager to see Diaz back on screen. Her performance is viewed as one of the highlights of the film, suggesting that her future projects, including Shrek 5 and Outcome, could enjoy even better receptions. As Diaz reunites with longtime collaborators like Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy in Shrek 5, her enduring star power is poised to continue driving audience interest.
As Back in Action is exclusive to Netflix, it will be interesting to see how her return to the big screen in upcoming theatrical releases, such as Shrek 5 and Outcome, translates into box office success. With her strong fan base, Diaz’s next projects could lead to positive reception and commercial success in both streaming and theater markets.
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