Unhinged Thriller Makes Comeback on Free Streaming After Pandemic Box Office

Russell Crowe’s 2020 action thriller Unhinged is experiencing a significant resurgence, racing into the Top 10 on the free streaming service Tubi. The film, which was one of the first major theatrical releases to brave the COVID-19 pandemic closures, is now reaching a wider audience after its initial box office run.

Pandemic-Era Release and Box Office Performance

Unhinged debuted in August 2020, a time when many cinemas remained closed and most studios were delaying releases or moving them to video-on-demand. Solstice Studios proceeded with a theatrical release, and the film ultimately grossed a respectable $44 million worldwide against a $33 million budget.

Critical Reception and Audience Divide

The film received a mixed critical response, holding a 48% “rotten” score on Rotten Tomatoes. Publications like Variety described it as a “pulpy genre exercise that is, at times, too brutal for its own good,” while The Hollywood Reporter praised Crowe’s performance but critiqued the “thin” plot. In contrast, audience reception was far more positive, with a 77% score on the platform, highlighting a common divide between critics and viewers for high-concept action films.

Plot and Streaming Success

In Unhinged, Crowe plays Tom Cooper, a man whose mental state unravels after a minor traffic altercation with a single mother, Rachel (Caren Pistorius). The confrontation escalates into a intense, brutal cat-and-mouse chase. The film’s premise, grounded in the relatable fear of road rage, has been cited as a key factor in its unsettling appeal. Its arrival on Tubi has introduced Crowe’s villainous turn to a new wave of viewers who are discovering the thriller.

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