A horror movie based on a Stephen King novel with a disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score is climbing Netflix's top 10
Mar. 21, 2024Firestarter, starring Zac Efron, sparks a new lease of life on Netflix
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Critically panned horror movie Firestarter has found newfound success on Netflix almost two years after its release. The Stephen King adaptation is currently sitting at number four in the UK movie charts, and it’s also cracked the top 10 in Ireland and Turkey.
However, it was unpopular with both critics and audiences when it was first released, with a lackluster critics' score of 11% on Rotten Tomatoes. “To call the film a wasted opportunity doesn’t quite do justice to what an abject failure it is,” saysVulture, while theLos Angeles Timeswrites that “it joins the long list of Stephen King movies that are all gimmick, no guts.”
RogerEbert.com’s review goes one step further, calling Firestarter “a film that goes through the motions with such apathetic predictability and pure cinematic laziness that you may want to set whatever device you’re watching it on ablaze.” Ouch.
Firestarter is streaming now on Netflix UK. For more, check out our picks of thebest Netflix moviesto add to your watch list.
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter
Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox
I’m an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering everything film and TV-related across the Total Film and SFX sections. I help bring you all the latest news and also the occasional feature too. I’ve previously written for publications like HuffPost and i-D after getting my NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Journalism.
New horror movie from the studio behind Midsommar and Heretic unveils its first look and plot details
5 months after the first Nosferatu trailer, we’ve finally heard Bill Skarsgård’s Count Orlok voice – and it will haunt your nightmares
Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”
