A rotten new arrival starring leads with no chemistry is somehow sitting comfortably in the #1 spot on Netflix

It seems Lonely Planet, the new Netflix romantic drama starring Liam Hemsworth and Laura Dern, has surprisingly taken the top spot in Netflix’s streaming charts despite receiving a barrage of negative reviews. With a meager 39% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a lukewarm IMDb rating of 5.8/10, the film’s unexpected popularity raises eyebrows and sparks curiosity about what viewers are thinking.

Released on October 11, Lonely Planet tells the story of a reclusive novelist, Katherine Loewe (played by Dern), who falls into a lackluster romance with young finance manager Owen Brophy (played by Hemsworth) at a writers’ retreat in Morocco. While the premise may seem promising, many viewers have noted that the chemistry between the two leads resembles that of “two people awkwardly sharing an UberPool” rather than a passionate romance. Critics have pointed out that their relationship lacks the sparks one would hope for, often comparing it to a “wet matchstick.”

Despite these criticisms, the film’s appeal lies in its exotic settings and the star power of its leads, which may be enough to draw viewers in. The allure of Lonely Planet reflects a growing trend of “so bad it’s somehow watchable” content, leading audiences to tune in out of sheer curiosity. This scenario prompts the question: how does a film with such flat romantic connections rise to the top of streaming charts typically dominated by captivating stories?

It appears that viewers, perhaps armed with plenty of free time and varying expectations, are willing to indulge in even the most underwhelming films. The takeaway? Maybe there’s a market for more unconventional films—or perhaps a potential filmmaker can find inspiration in this trend. If only Margot Robbie and Henry Cavill would come along for the ride!