Director & Writer: Rawson Marshall Thurber
- Rawson Marshall Thurber is known for his work on comedy-action films like Central Intelligence (2016) and We're the Millers (2013), as well as the action-thriller Skyscraper (2018).
- With Red Notice, Thurber blends elements of comedy and heist action with high-stakes adventure. His previous collaborations with Dwayne Johnson, particularly in Central Intelligence, showcased a strong rapport, which is evident in their reunion here.
Filming Locations & Visuals
- Red Notice was filmed in several international locations, making it feel like a globe-trotting adventure. Some of the notable places include:
- Rome, Italy: For some iconic scenes, including a heist inside a museum.
- Greece: Featuring a luxurious villa with breathtaking ocean views.
- The Canary Islands: Used for parts of the action sequences and establishing shots.
- The movie takes full advantage of its international settings, using high-end locations to give it a stylish, cinematic flair.
Themes and Tone
Action and Heist Tropes: Red Notice leans into many well-known tropes from action-heist movies—double-crosses, plot twists, and treasure hunting. However, it distinguishes itself by incorporating comedic banter and a lighthearted approach, thanks to the charismatic performances of Johnson, Reynolds, and Gadot.
Bromance and Rivalry: One of the core relationships in the movie is between Dwayne Johnson's John Hartley (the straight-laced FBI agent) and Ryan Reynolds' Nolan Booth (the charming art thief). Their playful antagonism adds a lot of humor to the film, creating a fun dynamic as they’re forced to work together despite their opposing motivations.
Female Empowerment: Gal Gadot's character, The Bishop, plays a central role in the plot. While the film primarily revolves around the male characters, Gadot's portrayal of a ruthless and clever art thief subverts the typical “damsel in distress” trope often seen in heist films, presenting a strong, independent woman who is always one step ahead.
Character Arcs and Relationships
John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson): As the FBI agent who’s trying to catch Booth and The Bishop, Hartley’s journey is one of balancing his professional duties with the realization that sometimes the law doesn’t always work the way he expects. He starts off as a by-the-book agent but becomes more flexible as he teams up with Booth, realizing that trust and unexpected alliances are crucial in the world of high-stakes crime.
Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds): Booth is a classic charming thief, full of wit and sarcasm, but his character also has an underlying vulnerability. His rivalry with Hartley and his attempts to outsmart both the FBI and The Bishop lead to both comedic and action-packed moments. While his relationship with Hartley starts off combative, there’s a strong sense of camaraderie and mutual respect by the end.
Sarah Black/The Bishop (Gal Gadot): The Bishop is introduced as an enigmatic and masterful thief, and as the film unfolds, we learn more about her cunning nature. While she’s presented as a villain, her motivations are somewhat mysterious, and her character provides the film with its unexpected twists. She remains one of the film's standout characters, a cool, calculating force who challenges both Hartley and Booth at every turn.
Key Action Sequences
Humor and Dialogue
The film's dialogue is sharp and fast-paced, especially the interplay between Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson. Reynolds' quippy humor and Johnson’s straight-man delivery create a fun dynamic that keeps the film lighthearted despite the high-stakes nature of the plot. Reynolds' ability to improvise jokes and one-liners shines through, while Johnson’s understated, dry humor provides the perfect counterbalance.
- Ryan Reynolds delivers several memorable one-liners, including sarcastic remarks about his character's own thieving skills and digs at Johnson's portrayal of the serious, no-nonsense FBI agent.
- Dwayne Johnson adds his typical charm and charisma to the role, though his usual action-hero persona is softened by the comedic dynamic with Reynolds.
Music and Score
- The film's score was composed by Steve Jablonsky, who is best known for his work on the Transformers series. The music amplifies the action, with dramatic, sweeping scores during the heist sequences and lighter, more playful motifs during comedic moments.
- The soundtrack also includes several popular songs, helping to build the movie's high-energy atmosphere.
Production & Visual Effects
- With a budget reported to be between $160 million and $200 million, Red Notice is one of Netflix's most expensive films to date.
- The movie uses a combination of practical effects (for chase scenes and stunts) and visual effects (for certain action set pieces and expansive, luxurious settings).
- While the plot focuses on character-driven moments and humor, the larger-than-life locations and action sequences give the film a cinematic feel often reserved for big-budget blockbusters.
Box Office and Netflix Reception
Although Red Notice was not released in theaters, its performance on Netflix was extremely successful.
- 328 million viewing hours in its first 28 days made it one of the top Netflix releases.
- The movie's high-profile cast and the action-comedy genre likely contributed to its widespread popularity. Netflix reported that the film was viewed by millions of subscribers worldwide, and it quickly became one of the platform’s most-watched original films, surpassing films like Bird Box (2018) and The Irishman (2019) in terms of watch time.
Future of the Franchise
- Spin-offs: In addition to the sequel, there have been talks about possible spin-offs based on the characters and their adventures. It’s unclear if Netflix will pursue these ideas, but the film’s popularity definitely opens the door for a broader universe.
Critical Reception
While the film didn’t receive universal praise from critics, it was largely appreciated by general audiences for its fun and easy-to-watch nature:
- Rotten Tomatoes: The movie has a 36% critic score, but an 87% audience score, indicating that general viewers were more entertained by the film than critics.
- Critics often cited the film’s predictability and formulaic nature, but many noted the strong performances and humor, which helped elevate the material.
- The film was more successful in attracting audiences for its light-hearted nature and big-name cast, rather than for being a groundbreaking film in the action-heist genre.
Conclusion
Red Notice is a breezy, entertaining action-comedy that combines heist thrills with humor and a star-studded cast. While it follows familiar tropes, it’s elevated by the chemistry between Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, and its ability to deliver fast-paced action sequences mixed with laughs. It was a massive success for Netflix, and its follow-up is highly anticipated by fans of the first film.
