Willem Dafoe’s ‘Inside’ Thriller Flops at Box Office but Tops Streaming Charts Worldwide

Willem Dafoe’s 2023 psychological thriller, Inside, experienced a disappointing box office run but has since gained significant popularity on streaming platforms. The Greek-produced film, directed by Vasilis Katsoupis, follows Nemo, an art thief played by Dafoe, who becomes trapped inside a luxurious penthouse in New York City after a heist goes wrong. Though Inside earned just over $1 million globally, it has found a strong audience on Amazon Prime, trending in the Top 10 in several countries, particularly across Latin America.

Since beginning to trend around August 8, 2025, Inside has maintained its position on Prime Video charts in territories such as Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Panama, and others. Globally, it currently holds the #9 spot on Amazon Prime’s streaming rankings, illustrating the film’s growing appeal beyond its initial theatrical release.

Inside’s Journey from Festival Debut to Mixed Reviews

Inside premiered at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival on February 20, 2023. Shortly afterward, the film became available in theaters across Greece, Belgium, Germany, and the United States in March. The critical reception was mixed, with the film receiving a 63% critics’ score and a 40% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting divided opinions on its storytelling and execution.

Willem Dafoe Reflects on His Role and Creative Approach in Inside

In discussing his involvement, Dafoe revealed his attraction to emotionally intense characters that challenge his comfort zone. The actor finds depth in roles that strip characters of familiarity, stating,

“I don’t like comfort in a character because there’s nothing to play,”

which underscores his preference for complex and demanding parts. Despite the intensity, Dafoe explained that he detaches from his characters once filming ends, immediately shifting focus to upcoming projects, although extended shoots do tend to create lingering habits.

Dafoe also noted that Inside was filmed in chronological sequence, a method that allowed the cast to deeply engage with the story’s progression. Praising this structure, he said,

“We had a presence and practicality to what we were doing.”

The director, Katsoupis, complemented this approach by revealing that approximately 40% of the film was unscripted, providing room for improvisation. Dafoe emphasized that this openness helped fill narrative gaps, particularly in portraying the protagonist’s experience of boredom and mental state while trapped. He commended the director’s playful and collaborative style during production.

Current Availability and What Lies Ahead for Inside

Now accessible for viewers on Prime Video, Inside is gaining new momentum as a streaming thriller, reflecting how films can find their audiences beyond traditional box office channels. This shift highlights changing viewer habits and the growing importance of digital platforms in global film distribution.

With Willem Dafoe bringing a focused intensity to the role of Nemo, and Vasilis Katsoupis’s unique blend of scripted and improvised storytelling, Inside offers an intriguing example of contemporary thriller cinema that balances artistic vision and audience engagement. The film’s soundtrack presence on streaming charts worldwide signals a hopeful future for similar genre films embracing digital reach and international markets.