Liam Neeson‘s 2022 spy thriller Blacklight, widely regarded as his weakest film, has recently climbed to the top of Prime Video’s streaming charts. Despite its poor critical reception, this movie featuring Neeson as an off-the-books FBI fixer named Travis Block is attracting a surprising number of viewers.
Critical Reception and Plot Outline of Blacklight
Blacklight holds the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score among Liam Neeson’s titles, with just a 12% rating based on 106 reviews. Directed and co-written by Mark Williams, known for his work on Netflix’s Ozark, the film centers around Travis Block, a Vietnam veteran involved in covert FBI operations. The storyline follows Block as he becomes entangled in a dangerous political conspiracy after the assassination of a progressive activist, revealing corruption at the highest level of the FBI.
While Liam Neeson often convinces audiences as a gritty and capable lead in action films like Taken, critics found Blacklight lacking. Glenn Kenny of RogerEbert.com criticized the film’s thin plot and excessive macho posturing, and Todd Gilchrist of The Wrap described it as
“a dopey thriller with no suspense.”
Nevertheless, viewers on Prime Video appear to find something appealing in watching Neeson’s character confront brutal threats, suggesting an audience engagement despite the reviews.
Blacklight’s Poor Box Office and Its Renewed Appeal
The film initially underperformed at the box office and was a critical failure, struggling to live up to the standard set by Neeson’s more successful and acclaimed action movies. In the film, Neeson’s portrayal of Travis Block sees him facing impossible odds, including violent encounters with FBI insiders, which might resonate more now given the current political climate in America.
The assassination plot and themes of government betrayal feel particularly relevant in today’s polarized society, which could be a factor in the movie’s resurgence on streaming platforms some years after its release. The appeal of seeing Neeson take on powerful enemies in a high-stakes thriller, even if flawed, seems to have attracted a new or previously uninterested audience.
Impact and Availability of Blacklight
While Blacklight remains the most poorly reviewed movie in Liam Neeson’s filmography, its increased streaming popularity shows how a film’s reception can evolve over time. This unexpected success may offer a boost to Neeson’s profile, demonstrating that even his less celebrated work can find an audience. The thriller is currently available for streaming on Prime Video, where viewers continue to discover and watch Neeson’s intense performance as Travis Block.
“a dopey thriller with no suspense,”
– Todd Gilchrist, Film Critic
“threadbare script and alpha-male posturing,” – Glenn Kenny, Reviewer at RogerEbert.com
