Netflix’s latest original movie, Back in Action, has quickly surged to the platform’s #1 spot. This spy thriller marks the return of Cameron Diaz to the big screen after a nearly decade-long hiatus. Her last roles were in 2014’s Annie, Sex Tape, and The Other Woman. However, early reviews suggest Diaz may have chosen a less-than-ideal project for her comeback.
Back in Action currently holds a disappointing 24% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, a notably low score even for the streaming service’s often-panned original films. The audience score fares somewhat better at 64%, but this still falls short of Netflix’s usual higher ratings. The movie, which also stars Jamie Foxx, follows the story of former CIA agents Emily and Matt, who are pulled back into the world of espionage after their secret identities are exposed.
Despite the spy thriller premise, the film blends action and comedy. Directed by Seth Gordon, known for films like Horrible Bosses and Baywatch, the movie has garnered little praise. Gordon has kept busy with television, working on shows such as The Night Agent, For All Mankind, and The Good Doctor.
What’s particularly surprising is that Cameron Diaz has not appeared in a film since 2014. In interviews, she has expressed how much she enjoyed her time away from Hollywood, embracing a private life as a wife and mother. She recently shared, “Oh my God, I loved it. It was the best 10 years of my life.” Diaz turned down roles during this period, only for the offers to eventually stop coming.
However, she ultimately decided to return to acting, explaining, “It’s just a privilege to do this. If I just let all this goodwill fade away and didn’t engage in the thing I love—making people smile and laugh—I’d be a fool.” Diaz is also set to star in another upcoming project, the Apple TV+ black comedy Outcome, alongside Keanu Reeves and Jonah Hill, which will be directed by Hill.
While Back in Action marks Cameron Diaz’s return, it appears that her first film in nearly a decade might not have been the right choice.
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