Argylle: From Box Office Flop to Streaming Hit with Henry Cavill
Argylle, a big-budget spy thriller featuring a star-studded cast including Henry Cavill, initially bombed at the box office, earning a dismal 33% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the film is experiencing an unexpected resurgence on Apple TV+.
Despite a hefty $200 million budget and a strong marketing push, Argylle struggled to reach $96 million worldwide in theaters. But now, it's found a new audience and is climbing the charts as one of Apple TV+'s most-watched titles. The film's comeback is further supported by a much more favorable 71% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating that viewers are enjoying it far more than critics did.
The Allure of Argylle
The premise of Argylle remains captivating. Bryce Dallas Howard stars as Elly Conway, a novelist whose spy stories start mirroring real-life events. She's then thrust into a dangerous world alongside Aidan, played by Sam Rockwell, a spy with a cat allergy. Together, with Elly’s cat Alfie, they embark on a globe-trotting adventure to evade assassins.
Henry Cavill embodies Agent Argylle, the fictional spy from Elly's novels. He appears frequently as a figment of her imagination, offering guidance and acting as her inner hero. The film cleverly blurs the lines between fiction and reality, exploring themes of identity and memory.
A Unique Style
According to Collider’s Maggie Lovitt, Argylle shines for viewers who appreciate director Matthew Vaughn's distinctive storytelling style. She awarded the film an 8/10, highlighting its blend of B-movie charm and over-the-top action. She also praised the chemistry between Howard and Rockwell, noting the film's surprising commitment to its spy-romance elements.
The movie embraces absurdity with unexpected twists, including a memorable fight scene described as a choreographed dance set to a killer soundtrack. Eagle-eyed viewers might even spot subtle nods to Vaughn's Kingsman universe, such as a Statesman soda can, hinting at a possible connection.
Second Chance on Streaming
With its hallucinatory cats, figure-skating combat, and a storyline that doesn't take itself too seriously, Argylle offers a unique viewing experience. It appears that audiences streaming the film on Apple TV+ are more receptive to its eccentricities than those who saw it in theaters.
Argylle, released on February 2, 2024, with a runtime of 139 minutes, is now available for streaming on Apple TV+.