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Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie are known for their exceptional talent and the charm they bring to their movies. Robbie wowed us as Barbie and Harley Quinn, while Pitt shined as a secret agent inMr. And Mrs. Smithand as Rusty Ryan inOceans Eleven. Their films usually create magic on screen, so when the two teamed up forBabylonin 2022, expectations were high. However, the movie didn’t perform well and ended up being a box-office flop.
Babylonfaced harsh criticism. Despite its star-studded cast and stunning visuals, the film struggled to connect with viewers which led to disappointing ticket sales. However, as time passed,Babylonbegan gaining appreciation from a niche audience. Many now see it as a misunderstood masterpiece and believe it has the potential to achieve cult status. Margot Robbie, in particular, has expressed hope thatBabylonwill be more appreciated in the years to come. According toThe Hollywood Reporter, the actress said,
I wonder if in 20 years people are gonna be like ‘Wait, Babylon didn’t do well at the time? That’s crazy.
Robbie believes the movie might one day earn its place as a cult classic. WhetherBabylonbecomes a classic or not is something only time will reveal. For now, let’s see what are the five reasonsBabylonflopped at the box office:
1BabylonHad aShallow Storyline
Babylontakes audiences back to the early days of Hollywood. The movie explores the lives of actors navigating the industry’s transition from silent films to sound films. The movie is set over two decades, starting in 1926, and follows multiple characters caught up in the chaos.
Margot Robbieplays Nellie LaRoy, an ambitious actress who rises to fame as a silent film star but struggles to adapt to the changing industry.Brad Pittportrays Jack Conrad, a legendary silent film actor grappling with the reality that his career is fading as Hollywood evolves.
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WhileBabylonis visually stunning and full of Hollywood’s glitz and glamour, its story leaves much to explore. The characters are not fully developed, making it difficult for viewers to connect with them. The film’s writing failed to dig deeper into their emotions and struggles. This resulted in a storyline that felt hollow despite its major grandeur.
Although the film aimed to make a bold statement about the corruption of early Hollywood, its lack of depth and over-the-top approach made it feel more superficial. These shortcomings likely played a big role in the movie’s poor box-office performance, despite its promising premise and talented cast.
2An Ensemble Cast and The Length of the Movie Didn’t Help
Babylonfeatures an impressive ensemble cast, including Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, and dives into the lives of Hollywood stars during the shift from silent films to talkies in the late 1920s. Despite its grand style and dazzling visuals, the movie struggled to deliver a compelling story. The star power and extravagant production couldn’t cover up its shortcomings, especially the thin and scattered plot.
One of the major issues was the film’s lengthy runtime, which made the story feel stretched and disjointed. Instead of enriching the narrative, the extended duration often dragged out events, leaving audiences disconnected. While the film touches on the highs and lows of Hollywood life and how the industry builds up stars only to forget them when times change, it doesn’t fully explore these themes.
The idea of Hollywood’s evolution creating timeless art, even as its creators fade into obscurity, had the potential to be deeply moving. However, the movie skims over these layers, missing the opportunity to give viewers a nuanced and meaningful perspective. In the end,Babylonfelt like a missed chance to tell a profound story, and this lack of depth contributed to its underwhelming reception.
3Babylon WasToo flashy With No Depth
Babylonis a film that prioritizes style over substance, and its flashy visuals can’t save its weak storylines. The characters’ journeys feel scattered and lack the cohesion needed to create a meaningful narrative. While the opening party sequence grabs attention with its energy and introduces Margot Robbie’s character with flair, the rest of the film struggles to live up to the excitement it promises.
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The cast works hard to bring depth to their characters despite the limitations of the script. Margot Robbie stands out as Nellie, an ambitious actress chasing stardom. She captures Nellie’s fearless personality while also showing her vulnerability as her career begins to falter. Similarly, Diego Calva shines as Manny, an assistant with big dreams. His character’s longing for success and recognition is not fully fleshed out, but Calva’s performance makes Manny’s journey feel authentic.
Despite their efforts, the movie’s lack of development in its characters and story leaves it feeling shallow. The potential for a deeper exploration of Hollywood’s highs and lows is there, but it remains largely untapped.Babylon’sfocus on extravagance over emotion ultimately holds it back from being the impactful film it could have been.
4Big Budget Led to Failure
Damien Chazelle’s Hollywood epicBabylonfaced a massive failure at the box office despite its grandeur. The film had a huge production budget of $78 million according toVariety, but its opening weekend earned only $4.85 million, making it nearly impossible to reach the break-even point of $250 million.
Instead of celebrating the magic of movies,Babylonfocused more on the excess and chaos of the early Hollywood industry. While it aimed to be a bold cinematic statement, its indulgent storytelling and extravagant production couldn’t connect with audiences and thus it led to its disappointing financial performance.
5Tough Competition at the Box Office
Babylonfaced tough competition upon release, opening alongsideAvatar: The Way of Water.This decision by Paramount turned out to be a risky gamble that didn’t pay off. Throughout 2022, the studio had major hits likeScream,The Lost City,andTop Gun: Maverick.However, ending the year withBabylonagainst a juggernaut likeAvatar: The Way of Waterwas a misstep.
Both films were ambitious passion projects from renowned directors, running over three hours long. But whereAvataroffered visually stunning escapism and universal appeal,Babylonwas a niche story rooted in the chaos of early Hollywood. Audiences flocked to James Cameron’s epic, which crossed the $2 billion mark, whileBabylonstruggled to find its footing.
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With its story of ambition,Babylonearned just $64 million worldwide against its $78 million budget. The film’s limited appeal, combined with its direct competition with a global hit, contributed to its lackluster performance. WhileAvatar2thrived as a crowd-pleasing spectacle,Babylon’sfocus on Hollywood’s darker side didn’t resonate with broader audiences. This sealed its fate as a financial disappointment.
Babylonis available for streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
Sohini Mukherjee
Content Writer
Articles Published :331
Sohini Mukherjee is an Evergreen writer at FandomWire, specializing in pop culture, all things sitcoms, and, of course, Harry Potter. She has a soft spot for shows like Modern Family and pretty much any movie that knows how to tell a good story. You’ll find her name on listicles and long form articles that feel more like fun conversations than stiff articles. Having published over 300 articles, Sohini always brings a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the stories she covers.
