Peter Bart: With A Massive 86 Movies On Its Slate, How Many Keepers Can Netflix Make?
deadline.comEven as it celebrates its 27 Oscar nominations this week, Netflix unveiled its mega-slate of 86 titles for 2022. That’s far more than any traditional studio this year.Thus we learned that a “sea beast” is about to devour a stowaway, 16 nuclear missiles are set to be launched, a female assassin will come out of hiding and even Marilyn Monroe will make a comeback — well, almost.If you are intrigued by these one-liners, then stay tuned because, as Charlize Theron warns us, “Every night is Netflix movie night.” Translation: Netflix has lavished $17 billion to deliver the goods to its 222 million subscribers – and also raised their fees – so they’d better pay attention.Over the years, the identity of Hollywood studios has been keyed to their slates: Warners’ noirish gangster films, MGM’s glitzy musicals, etc.
If a slate touches all the bases, however, will that guarantee a home run?In announcing details this week, Netflix trumpeted the creation of vehicles for Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling, as well as for creatives like Tyler Perry, Noah Baumbach and Guillermo del Toro.In contrast to this glittery announcement, however, Netflix subscribers this week were offered a succession of new by-the-numbers melodramas like Royal Treatment (hair stylist falls for handsome young prince) and Brazen (female novelist solves real life murders), both reminiscent of the made-for-television features of a generation ago.A grand tour of the Netflix landscape, circa 2022, reveals an array of thrillers (The Gray Man from Joe and Anthony Russo), suspense (Knives Out II from Rian Johnson) and even the inevitable dog weepie (Rescued by Ruby).
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