Will Smithis back on top…of theNetflixUS movie chart. The actor, who in recent years saw his career take a dip thanks to his Oscars night outburst at Chris Rock back in 2022, has followed up his streaming success at Netflix with the hit sequelBad Boys: Ride or Diewith a chart-topping display from his 2015 crime thriller,Focus.
Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa,Focusstars Smith alongside the ever-popularBarbiestarMargot Robbie, who appear as con-artist Nicky and amateur swindler Jess, respectively.Focus’synopsis reads,“While Nicky teaches Jess the tricks of the trade, the pair become romantically involved; but, when Jess gets uncomfortably close, Nicky ends their relationship. Three years later, Nicky is in Buenos Aires working a very dangerous scheme when Jess – now an accomplished femme fatale – unexpectedly shows up. Her appearance throws Nicky for a loop at a time when he cannot afford to be off his game.”
On its release back in 2015,Focuswas met with mixed reviews. Critics praised the chemistry between Smith and Robbie, as well as the “sleek” visual style of the film. However, the plot and execution of the story left a lot to be desired for many. It turned out to be one of those rare movies that critics and audiences both agree on, andFocusearned itself a 56% score on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer and 53% on the Popcornmeter
Focusmanaged to also perform reasonably well at the box office,earning $158 million from its $50 million budget.Even though it was not a blockbuster hit, the film did enough to avoid becoming a box office dud, although it has since dwindled away into the obscurity of bargain bins and second-hand stores.Now its arrival on Netflix has boosted its profile once again, and landed an unexpected success for Smith and Robbie in the process.
Will Smith & Margot Robbie Have Crossed Paths Since Focus
SinceFocus, Smith and Robbie have both had a lot of success. While Smith’s recent Oscars controversy saw his profile drop in the last couple of years,back in 2016 he suited up alongside Robbie for the comic book movieSuicide Squad.Inthe David Ayer movie, Smith played Deadshot, while Robbie cemented herself in the role of Harley Quinn. Although the film was not regarded as a masterpiece in any respect, it saw the actors take on some other big roles as a result.
Smith took on the impossible task of following Robin Williams as the genie in Disney’s live-action version ofAladdin, and stepped back into his old role of Mike Lowrey in the sequelBad Boys for Lifein 2020. He won his first Academy Award in 2022 at that fateful Oscars ceremony, for his portrayal of Richard Williams in the sports dramaKing Richard. He then returned to theBad Boysfranchise for a fifth time this year.
Every Movie Where Will Smith Plays a Cop or Law Enforcement
There are several films that reveal that Will Smith might perform at his best when he’s playing a cop.
Meanwhile, Margot Robbie’s career took a huge surge after her role inFocus. As well as herSuicide Squadappearance, she also played Harley Quinn in 2020’sBirds of Prey, and James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squad. She earned herself an Oscar nomination for her role inI, Tonya, joined the ensemble cast of Quentin Tarantino’sOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, and last year blew open the box office after taking on the title role in Greta Gerwig’sBarbie. Robbie has recently been announced asthe lead of a new take on Emily Bronte’sWuthering Heights.
