The Most Terrifying and Controversial 2019 Horror Film Is Now a Sensational Netflix Success

Summary

Ma, a divisive and unhinged horror movie, is now a hit on Netflix, ranking 6th on the streaming service's Global Top 10.

Critics had mixed reviews for the movie, with praise given to the performances, but criticism directed towards the uneven pacing, unfulfilled potential, and portrayal of male teenage characters. However, despite the divisive response, Ma proved to be a box-office success and garnered a devoted online fan base.

After its success at the box office four years ago, the controversial and unsettling horror movie, Ma, has now become a popular hit on Netflix. During the week of October 9 to October 15, viewers spent a total of 5.8 million hours watching Ma, resulting in 3.5 million views. This impressive performance has placed the film in the 6th position on the charts and has earned it a spot in Netflix's Global Top 10 for the first time. Interestingly, Ma is not the only Blumhouse horror movie in the Top 10; Jordan Peele's Get Out also made the list, securing the final spot.

Why Ma Was So Divisive

Netflix subscribers' gravitation towards Ma is somewhat surprising, considering the divisive response it initially received during its 2019 release. While critics acknowledged the commendable performances of Spencer, Lewis, and Pyle, they also criticized the movie's uneven pacing and portrayal of male teenage characters, resulting in unfulfilled potential.

Due to the mixed reviews, Ma holds a 55 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. The critical consensus asserts that while Spencer's powerful performance partially compensates for the film's flaws, its inconsistent pacing and overly convoluted plot hinder it from reaching its maximum potential. Similarly, the movie's audience score on Rotten Tomatoes stands at 64 percent, indicating a split among viewers.

Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics and audiences, the horror movie proved to be a major financial success, generating over $60 million in box-office revenue despite its modest $5 million budget. Additionally, the film garnered a surprise online cult following, with numerous Ma-themed memes that served to diminish the horror aspect of the movie. Given its popularity on Netflix, it is possible that a larger audience will stumble upon and come to appreciate this unsettling horror film, flaws and all.