John Cena Film Receives Dismal 0% RT Score and Meager Weekend Box Office Returns

Summary

John Cena's new movie, Freelance, had a disappointing critical response, earning a 0% Rotten Tomatoes score.

The film is expected to generate a mere $2.1 million in its initial three days, falling significantly short of recovering its $40 million budget. Freelance encounters formidable competition from other recent releases, resulting in its placement at seventh position in the box office rankings.

Freelance, the action-comedy featuring John Cena, had a disappointing opening weekend at the box office. Directed by Pierre Morel of Taken fame, the film follows a former Army soldier (Cena) tasked with protecting a journalist (Alison Brie) amidst a dangerous coup, leading them to navigate through a chaotic jungle. Prior to its release, Freelance received a dismal 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on reviews from over 20 critics.

According to Deadline, the movie's box office performance during its first weekend was underwhelming. It is currently estimated to have earned a total of $2.1 million over the three-day period, placing it in seventh position below other major releases like Five Nights at Freddy's and Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. This falls significantly short of the film's $40 million budget and only accounts for a little over 5% of the production costs, without even considering publicity expenses.

John Cena Works Best When He's Part of an Ensemble

The surprising box office performance of Freelance is noteworthy, especially considering John Cena's track record of success in recent years. In fact, his last six major wide-release films in the 2020s have all exceeded $100 million in worldwide box office earnings. However, it should be noted that none of these films showcase Cena as the main star or even as part of a duo.

These movies, namely Dolittle, F9, The Suicide Squad, Fast X, Barbie, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, all feature Cena as a member of an ensemble cast. Although his roles may vary in size, such as his brief cameo in Barbie, Cena seems to thrive when working alongside a strong group of performers. This is evident in the streaming success of his film Vacation Friends and its sequel, Vacation Friends 2, where Cena plays a significant role as part of a four-person ensemble.

Peacemaker, the popular spinoff show of The Suicide Squad, features a strong ensemble cast alongside its lead character. This talented group of performers, including Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick, brings the Peacemaker characters to life. Although Freelance's lack of success cannot be solely attributed to John Cena as its main star, it does highlight the positive outcome of the actor's recent decision to work with exceptional ensembles.