Summary
Russell Crowe’s acting career has, if anything, only ramped up in the last few years, and one of Crowe’s most recent films, the war thrillerLand of Bad, is now streaming on Netflix. Written by David Frigerio and William Eubank (who also directed ) back in 2012, it became something of a passion project for the duo.After 12 years of development, research, and production, hopes were highthat the film, with a narrative based in reality, but not based on any actual, real-life events, could result in a hit film, especially after Russell Crowe was cast in a starring role.
Unfortunately,Land of Badfailed to capture much attention, and its silver screen tenure was short;it garnered some mixed reviews and performed very poorly during its theatrical run. Despite this, the movie’s thrilling action and strong performances won some critical praise, with theRotten Tomatoesconsensus stating, “Thanks to some exciting set pieces and a smartly assembled cast, Land of Bad stands as a solid survival thriller”. Following its arrival on Netflix, the movie has a new opportunity to reach a whole new audience.
Russell Crowe’s New Action Movie Can’t Break His Poor Rotten Tomatoes Streak
Russell Crowe’s new special ops action movie Land of Bad can’t break the star’s recent streak of noticeably poor Rotten Tomatoes ratings.
Its Cinematic Release Was July 30, 2025
WhenLand of Badfirst hit theaters back in February, it underwhelmed; it only earned 6.5 million dollars at the box office on a budget almost three times that amount. Understandably, it was viewed as a disappointment, in spite of its interesting survival premise. Its topical focus - on drone warfare and modern military tactics - is tonally relevant and appealing.Crowe’s portrayal of a drone pilot is both frightening and exciting, and it provides a sense of immediacy regarding the ever-evolving nature through which wars and conflicts are fought in the world today.
Streaming services can inject momentum into films, and this isa great opportunity forLand of Badto have a second chance at success. Critically, it wasn’t loved or hated; it was unremarkable, which is sometimes a film’s worst fate. Ultimately, its biggest flaw was likely twofold: its unlucky release window and its generic, awkward title.Land of Badhad to compete with other, categorically similar action movies that had more name recognition and advertising behind them. It will be interesting to see how people feel about the film once they can access it conveniently and from their own devices.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
$434.4 million
$152.7 million
$96.2 million
$100.3 million
$6.5 million
Chris' Equally-Talented And Often-Bypassed Brothers, Liam And Luke, Play Important Roles
Alongside Russell Crowe, the youngest (Liam) and the oldest (Luke) of the Hemsworth brothers perform in this film. Together, the three actors shoulder the brunt ofLand of Bad’s narrative weight. Captain Eddie Grimm (Crowe), operates a drone that provides air support for Sergeant Kinney (Liam) and Sergeant Abell (Luke) who, alongside the rest of their team, navigate the jungles of the Philippines on a mission to recover a captured CIA agent.Liam and Luke Hemsworth are perfectly cast in this film, and their family has a strong track record of performances in similar films.
…with its recent release on Netflix, the film may yet rebuild its reputation in the popular consciousness.
Chris and Liam Hemsworth have been in war movies in the past, and these films have all performed similarly toLand of Bad. For the eldest brother, Luke, however,Land of Badwas his first opportunity to act in a war-inspired film. He holds his own, though, which is commendable, especially given that his role is mostly a tertiary one.With thecast ofLand of Badbringing some serious stopping power, and with its recent release on Netflix, the film may yet rebuild its reputation in the popular consciousness.
Land of Bad
Cast
Land of Bad follows an elite air force mission gone awry, setting up a high-stakes rescue led by a drone pilot. The team must navigate hostile terrain in a bid for survival, featuring action-packed sequences that test their skills and resilience.
