Gerard Butler’s action thriller Kandahar, released in theaters on May 26, 2023, has sparked divided opinions despite its strong performance on the free streaming platform Tubi. The movie, which stars Butler as CIA operative Tom Harris stranded behind enemy lines in Afghanistan, made $9 million during its limited theatrical run but quickly gained popularity online. Kandahar’s success in streaming highlights Butler’s continued appeal despite critical skepticism.
Plot and Box Office Overview of Kandahar
Inspired by real events, Kandahar follows Tom Harris, an undercover CIA agent whose mission is compromised, leaving him trapped in hostile Afghan territory. Alongside his translator, Harris must evade enemy combatants to reach an extraction point. The film opened in 2,105 theaters but faced tough competition during Memorial Day weekend, notably from Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid. Despite modest box office earnings, Kandahar’s presence on streaming platforms has propelled it into ongoing viewership prominence.
Critical Reception Highlights Divisions Between Reviewers and Fans
Kandahar received a 45% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it above some other poorly reviewed films such as Gods of Egypt and Geostorm, but still reflecting lukewarm reviews overall. Critics found fault with various aspects of the film’s execution. Mel Valentin of ScreenAnarchy described it as
“a superficial gloss at best, a confusing, muddled mess at worst.”
Similarly, Carla Hay from Culture Mix criticized the pacing and technical elements, stating,
“Kandahar gets awfully convoluted and takes too long to get to the main mission in the story. The film editing is sloppy, while the action scenes are unremarkable. The movie’s worst idea is the secret CIA surveillance room that gets unrealistic footage.”
—Carla Hay, Culture Mix
Further critiques came from Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost, who called the movie
“a typical Gerald Butler mindless, obscenely violent action film without a soul,”
while James Croot from The New Zealand Post labeled it
“blighted by predictable action, one-dimensional characters and a political sensibility that’s best described as jingoistic, jaundiced and xenophobic.”
Audience Response and Streaming Popularity Contrasts Critic Reviews
Despite the harsh critical feedback, audience reactions have skewed significantly more positive. Kandahar holds an 82% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with viewers praising its fast pace and action-packed sequences. One viewer even described the film as a “masterpiece,” demonstrating the enthusiastic response among fans, which has helped sustain its streaming success on Tubi, where it currently sits at #8 on the free streaming charts.
Cast and Supporting Roles Enhance Film’s Dynamic
Alongside Gerard Butler, Kandahar features performances by Travis Fimmel, Tom Rhys Harries, Ali Fazal, and Navid Negahban. The cast supports the tense narrative of a CIA operative navigating entrenched danger, contributing to the film’s gripping moments despite the mixed reviews it received.
The Ongoing Impact of Kandahar in Gerard Butler’s Career
While Kandahar may not have resonated strongly with critics, its ability to dominate streaming charts speaks to Gerard Butler’s enduring status as an action star. The film’s presence on free platforms introduces the story to a broader audience and maintains Butler’s visibility in a competitive market. The polarized response also highlights the often-wide gap between critical and audience reception for action films. Kandahar’s example reveals how accessibility via streaming can revitalize a movie’s fortunes long after its theatrical release.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened between Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler?
A. Jennifer and Gerard are said to have developed feelings for each other while working on their movie, The Bounty Hunter. Unfortunately, their relationship ended quickly, and they separated within a few months.
Q. What religion is Gerard Butler?
A. He comes from an Irish Catholic family. When he was just six months old, they relocated to Montreal in Quebec, Canada.
Q. What is Gerard Butler’s religion?
A. Although Butler was raised Catholic, he is curious about different cultures and religions. In late 2019 and early 2020, he traveled to the sacred Hindu cities of Varanasi and Rishikesh in India. During his visits, he took part in spiritual practices like meditation and attended private pujas.
Q. Is Gerard Butler deaf?
A. Scottish actor Gerard Butler has tinnitus and partial hearing loss from a surgery he had when he was a child. Despite these challenges, he remains successful in Hollywood and has acted in many blockbuster movies.
