The Netflix film "The Great Flood" held the global No. 1 spot for a third consecutive day despite harsh reviews from domestic viewers.
On the 23rd, global OTT ranking site FlixPatrol reported that as of the 22nd, "The Great Flood" appeared in the Netflix top 10 in 92 countries including Korea, and ranked No. 1 in 71 of those countries.
"The Great Flood" is an SF disaster blockbuster that depicts the desperate struggle of people betting humanity's last hope for survival in an apartment sinking under water on the final day of the flood that struck the earth. Director Kim Byung-woo, who has been praised for his delicate directing that handles the multilayered emotions of characters in extreme situations in works such as The Terror Live and PMC: The Bunker, directed the film.
After its release on the 19th, "The Great Flood" rose to the top of Netflix's movie top 10, and after recording the global No. 1 spot on the 21st, it has maintained the No. 1 position for three consecutive days, proving its box office power. It is noteworthy that it is continuing steady viewing metrics rather than being a short-lived topic.
However, unlike its global performance, domestically the reception is sharply divided over the unfamiliar attempt to combine SF and disaster genres and its narrative approach.
In a recent interview regarding the mixed reactions, director Kim Byung-woo took a relatively calm stance. He said, "I thought the title 'The Great Flood' was not simply a disaster but a keyword that evokes stories of a new world and species, like Noah's flood," and explained, "Ultimately this film is not about disaster but about people's hearts and human emotion." He added, "It was not a film made thinking seven or eight out of ten people would like it. Whether the story is good or bad, I am grateful that people continue to tell the story."
Lead actress Kim Da Mi also honestly expressed her feelings about the sharply divided reactions. She said, "At first I expected a moderate reaction, but I didn't think the likes and dislikes would be divided this much," and added, "I felt it was meaningful that the film has become a work that asks different questions to each viewer." She also urged prospective viewers, "I hope you see it more as a story about human love and emotion than as a disaster film."
Writer Heo Ji-woong voiced an even sharper opinion regarding the domestic harsh reviews. He said, "I really think it's p----ng me off," and criticized strongly, "I don't think 'The Great Flood' is a work that should be vilified that much. Many people curse content that fails to spike their dopamine at the right moment and consider that a right."
Despite mixed domestic reviews, attention is focused on what records "The Great Flood," chosen by global viewers, will write next.
[Photo] Netflix
[OSEN]