According to data from Flixpatrol, Atlas is currently the most-watched film on streaming platforms, ranking top 1 in 73 countries, including major markets like the USA, France, and Germany. During the week from May 20 to May 26, the film attracted 28.2 million views just in its first three days of release. With a budget of $100 million (over 2,500 billion VND) and featuring a star-studded cast including Jennifer Lopez, Simu Liu, and Sterling K. Brown, this film has made a significant impact.
The film falls into the sci-fi genre, centering around Atlas Shepherd—a data scientist haunted by the dangers of AI (artificial intelligence) that could potentially harm humanity. Twenty-eight years ago, a notorious hacker named Harlan Shepherd used this technology to cause the deaths of 3 million people after launching an attack outside of Earth. After government forces capture one of Harlan’s accomplices, Atlas discovers a hidden planet and embarks on a mission to thwart a dangerous crime syndicate.
Jennifer Lopez shared with reporters at the film’s premiere in Los Angeles: “I think this film really highlights how AI can be misused, and it’s a reminder of how it can potentially become a threat. However, I also believe we should respect AI. We must evolve with the new technological advancements. Films that address AI—especially Atlas—have managed to showcase both sides effectively.”
After its release, Atlas did not receive high praise; in fact, some critics suggested it was a disappointing follow-up to Netflix’s previous hits. The film is currently rated “rotten” on Rotten Tomatoes with a 19% score from 74 reviews. Its average rating stands at just 3.8/10. Most critics pointed out the film’s failure was due to a lack of creativity and the disjointed writing of its two screenwriters, Leo Sardarian and Aron Eli Coleite. However, Jennifer Lopez received considerable acclaim for her lead role. Despite this, it seems the film has yet to fully meet expectations.
