‘Misunderstood masterpiece' starring Margot Robbie now streaming for free
An R-rated Margot Robbie drama dubbed 'a misunderstood masterpiece' is now streaming for free.
Channel 4's on-demand service has just added Babylon to its catalogue, ready for Robbie fans to devour. Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, who helmed hit films La La Land and Whiplash, the 2022 dramedy tells a unique story.
It follows Hollywood's transition from silent films to 'talkies' and how the shift impacted industry professionals. Viewers follow up-and-coming actress Nellie LaRoy (played by Robbie) and movie star Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt) as they navigate "an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood," according to the synopsis.
Fans of Chazelle's previous works will note passing similarities between Babylon and La La Land, which is also set in Los Angeles and zeroes in on characters pursuing their dreams in Hollywood. However, the Oscar-winning director delves into darker themes here, exploring everything from crippling drug addiction to the depravity of the film industry.
While the drama's star-studded cast piqued audiences' attention, Babylon ultimately failed to impress. It boasts a sour 57% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, with casual viewers awarding it a less generous 52%.
The critical consensus reads: "Babylon's overwhelming muchness is exhausting, but much like the industry it honours, its well-acted, well-crafted glitz and glamour can often be an effective distraction."
However, despite its low-ratings, the 2022 dramedy has become more popular over the years. Movie-goers are convinced the three-hour flick will be retrospectively praised as a classic.
One five-star Google Review argues: "[...] Within the decade [this] will be considered a misunderstood masterpiece by many."
Someone else echoed the sentiment, penning: "All I can say about Babylon is that it is a misunderstood masterpiece. I have never witnessed more decadence in the first 34 minutes of a film ever !! It's outrageous and absolutely fantastic."
Meanwhile, a Rotten Tomatoes user praised: "UNDER FREAKING RATED," with a second stating: "I wish it was 5 hours...Wow!!! What a ride. The music, the story, the acting...genius, pure genius!"
Yet another fan shared: "Meaningful, beautiful and entertaining. Easily one of the greatest movie ever made. It felt like Wolf of Wall Street from Hollywood between 20s and 30s. This movie should be praised."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical returns to Edinburgh Fringe with spontaneous song, dance and improv wizardry
There is a reason Showstopper! The Improvised Musical has established itself as a fixture of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Returning to its longstanding home at the Pleasance Courtyard's Grand for its sixteenth consecutive year, this Olivier Award-winning production invites audiences to witness a musical created in real time — every night, entirely from scratch. Running from 30th July to 24th August (excluding the 11th), and a captioned performance on the 13th of August, the production offers an evening of inventive musical theatre beginning at 5.20pm. The conceit is deceptively simple: audience members provide suggestions for setting, plot, musical styles, and even the title, and the cast of performers respond by crafting an entirely new musical on the spot. No script, no rehearsal — just live, spontaneous theatre delivered with remarkable polish and wit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Each performance is unique and added to the company's growing archive of over 1,400 original musicals since its inception in 2008. Settings have ranged from Victorian orphanages to alien planets, all given the full West End treatment by a cast adept at parodying musical theatre styles from Sondheim to Disney, jazz to operetta. (c) Ray Burmiston This year's cast features a combination of long-standing company members and acclaimed newcomers, including Ruth Bratt (People Just Do Nothing, BBC), Justin Brett (Million Dollar Quartet, West End), Susan Harrison (Peter Pan Goes Wrong), and Jonathan Ainscough (Royal Opera, Opera North). The ensemble is supported by musical supervisor Duncan Walsh Atkins and movement director Ali James, ensuring that the quality of each improvised performance matches that of a scripted production. Behind the scenes, co-creators Adam Meggido and Dylan Emery lead the artistic team, with production overseen by Showstopper Productions and general management by Suzanna Rosenthal. The show's reputation as a Fringe favourite is reinforced by numerous accolades, including the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family, a Broadway World Edinburgh Award, and consistent placement in the Top 10 best-reviewed shows at the Fringe in both 2023 and 2024. Yet despite its accolades and West End success — including a residency at the Cambridge Theatre and national tours — Showstopper! remains firmly rooted in the spirit of live performance and audience collaboration. Its cast must be ready for any genre, any plot twist, and any musical flourish. This ongoing challenge keeps the format fresh and the audience fully engaged. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A consistent critical favourite, Showstopper! continues to be recognised for its ingenuity and theatrical craft, offering audiences a performance that is never the same twice — and rarely short of exceptional. Showstopper! The Improvised Musical will be at the Pleasance Courtyard Grand at 5.20pm for the entire fringe for tickets go to
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Netflix fans only just discovering 'most underrated' film that has left them 'traumatised'
An 'underrated' thriller on Netflix has found a new lease of life 30 years since its initial release Movie fans are just now discovering a seriously intense thriller on Netflix that has left them 'traumatised'. Originally released back in 1995, psychological thriller Copycat, stars Sigourney Weaver as Dr Helen Hudson, a criminal psychologist who is struggling with agoraphobia. The renowned expert became a recluse after a traumatic attack that saw her nearly get murdered by killer Daryll Lee Cullum (Harry Connick Jr). Years later, Helen is recruited by San Francisco police officer Detective M.J. Monahan (Holly Hunter) to try and hunt down a serial killer replicating the methods of infamous murderers. Although she fears the outside world, Helen uses her knowledge and expertise to try and catch the person behind the copycat killings while working with M.J. The cast of the film - which developed a cult following in the decades since its release -also includes stars like Dermot Mulroney, William McNamara and Will Patton. As well as Copycat doing pretty well at the box office - grossing $79 million from a $27 million budget - the critical response was positive too. On Rotten Tomatoes, it was given a 76% rating. Copycat was released on UK's Netflix last month - and it's fair to say the film has found a new lease of life 30 years since its initial release. On Facebook, Netflix uploaded the opening scene of Copycat in which Helen is attacked by Daryll in a public toilet. Reacting to a 'traumatising' clip, one person said: 'Man! This scene made me afraid to use public bathrooms. I mean, even to this day I'm still on high alert at rest stops.' Someone else added: 'I remember seeing this in theaters. I was freaked out in public restrooms for months!' A third chimed in: 'This scene TRAUMATISED me when I saw it as a teenager, for years and years. I'd always be looking up when using the public bathroom to make sure it didn't happen to me.' Meanwhile, others praised the film as a whole, with someone declaring: 'I really liked this, one of the most underrated movies out there.' Another agreed: 'Great movie, it holds up and I agree no one really talks about it.' It wasn't just the audience that Harry Connick Jr creeped out thanks to his portrayal of killer Daryll Lee Cullum. In 2024, he revealed that Sigourney Weaver was so freaked out by his performance that 'she wouldn't talk to him' on set. 'Every time I came around, she went the other way,. She was like, 'I don't want to be around that guy!'' he told SiriusXM's The Jess Cagle Show with Julia Cunningham.
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Why is EastEnders not on tonight? Soap schedule changes revealed
EastEnders has been hit by yet more schedule changes, taking the BBC soap off air tonight. Soap fans have faced plenty of disruption this summer, with various sporting events playing havoc with our regular viewing schedules. Tonight, it is EastEnders that takes the brunt of the changes, with Emmerdale having been affected earlier this week. The ITV soap was shunted from its usual slot by coverage of the England vs Italy UEFA Women's Euro match, which saw the Lionesses take home the victory with two goals to one. In previous weeks, EastEnders has also been shifted for events like Wimbledon and previous UEFA Women's Euro football matches Instead of their usual trip to Albert Square at 7.30pm this evening, BBC1 viewers will be met with coverage of the UEFA Women's Euro. Tonight, Germany takes on Spain in the second semi-final of the event, with the match set to kick off at 8pm. Fortunately, EastEnders fans haven't missed out on their weekly dose of drama, with the soap having aired a double-bill of episodes last night. The London-based soap will next hit our screens at its usual time of 7.30pm tomorrow, where there is more drama for the Brannings and Panesars. Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) gets a warning from uncle Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) tomorrow night, demanding that he not cause Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law) any trouble. However, when Oscar later agrees to babysit so the couple can go out for a meal, he is horrified when an old acquaintance arrives and threatens him, leaving another sinister threat behind as he scarpers. More Trending Elsewhere, Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) has a lot on her plate as Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) leaves for Ash's engagement party and she heads to discuss Avani Nandra-Hart's (Aaliyah James) pregnancy with the Granthi. Later, she manages to fix things with Eve Unwin (Heather Peace)as she makes amends for her recent behaviour. View More » Meanwhile, Avani explains the reasoning behind her decision to have an abortion to Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman). MORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2025 MORE: EastEnders' Oscar receives a blast from the past as things take a turn MORE: All 43 EastEnders spoiler pictures for next week as a legend returns again
