Gerard Butler’s Divisive Fantasy Movie with a ‘Game of Thrones’ Star Is Finally Streaming on Netflix

This August, Netflix is adding Gods of Egypt to its library, a movie that has divided audiences since its release. Gods of Egypt is a 2016 fantasy action film directed by Alex Proyas. The story is a wild, imaginative take on ancient Egyptian gods, focusing on Horus, who teams up with a mortal thief to rescue his love and save the world from the evil god Set.

The film features a star-studded cast including Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Brenton Thwaites, Chadwick Boseman, Élodie Yung, Gerard Butler, Geoffrey Rush, and others.

When Gods of Egypt hit theaters in February 2016, it was released worldwide by Lionsgate in multiple formats. The movie did not perform well at the box office. It earned about $150 million globally but ended up losing around $90 million after expenses. It was also nominated for several Golden Raspberry Awards, which are given to the worst films of the year.

One of the biggest controversies surrounding Gods of Egypt was its casting. Most of the main roles were played by white actors, which many found inappropriate for a film about Egyptian mythology. This led to a lot of criticism and backlash when the movie was being marketed. Lionsgate and director Alex Proyas apologized, but some people saw this as just a way to quiet the critics rather than a true solution.

Critics were mostly negative about the movie. They felt the story was weak and the effects were unconvincing. Many pointed out that the film’s portrayal of ancient Egypt felt unrealistic, and that the acting didn’t help matters. Reviewers also noted that the movie dragged on, making it hard to stay interested, and the constant action scenes became repetitive. The film’s tone was criticized for being uneven, sometimes trying to be serious but ending up silly or dull.

Despite these harsh reviews, some viewers found a kind of guilty pleasure in the movie’s over-the-top nature. The film’s mix of fantasy and action created a strange, campy vibe that some people enjoyed, even if they recognized it wasn’t a great film by traditional standards.

Financially, the movie was a big disappointment when it first came out. It didn’t make back its costs during its theatrical run, and Lionsgate reported a loss of $90 million. However, over time, as Gods of Egypt was released on DVD, Blu-ray, and streaming platforms, it slowly managed to break even.

In fact, nearly nine years after its initial release, the film finally made enough money to cover its expenses thanks to home releases.

Gods of Egypt remains a polarizing film. It’s known for its flashy visuals and ambitious story but is also remembered for its problematic casting and uneven execution. For some, it’s a forgettable failure, while for others, it’s a fun, if flawed, fantasy adventure. In any case, you can now stream it on Netflix.

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