Gary Oldman’s Underrated 2021 Crime Thriller Gets Official Netflix Release

Gary Oldman’s underrated crime thriller from 2021 is finally headed to Netflix for an official release.

With his movies grossing over $11 billion worldwide, placing him among the highest-grossing actors of all time at the box office, the chameleon-like English actor is known for disappearing into every role he takes on, bringing iconic characters to life from Sirius Black in the Harry Potter movies (2004–2011) to Commissioner Gordon in The Dark Knight trilogy (2005–2012). However, Oldman won an Oscar for playing Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour (2017), receiving additional nominations for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) and Mank (2020). Now, his underrated 2021 crime thriller is receiving renewed attention with an official Netflix release.

Five years after its quiet theatrical release, Crisis is coming to Netflix. Written and directed by Nicholas Jarecki (Arbitrage), the 2021 crime thriller stars Gary Oldman as a university professor and research scientist whose story collides with an undercover cop and a grieving mother, set against the backdrop of the opioid epidemic.

Now, following its original release in 2021, Crisis is coming to Netflix on July 1, according to What’s on Netflix. The movie is currently streaming on Paramount+, Fawesome, Vix, for free on Pluto TV, and is also available to rent or buy on platforms like Prime Video from only $2.99.

The cast also includes Armie Hammer, Evangeline Lilly, Greg Kinnear, Michelle Rodriguez, Luke Evans, Lily-Rose Depp, Guy Nadon, Veronica Ferres, Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi), Mia Kirshner, Michael Aronov, Éric Bruneau, Duke Nicholson, Martin Donovan, Indira Varma, Nicholas Jarecki, Ellora Torchia, Adam Tsekhman, and Hiro Kanagawa.

Crisis received mostly positive reviews, resulting in a 66% Rotten Tomatoes score, with critics claiming that it reaches higher ambitions than most crime thrillers, with its weighty and serious story, but uneven performances and a shaky script ultimately keep it from fully delivering on its promise. It also has a 60% audience score.

Though Crisis only grossed $1.1 million at the box office, it still marked some modest milestones during its opening weekend. It was the highest-grossing independent film in the United States, posting the second-highest per-screen average, and was the highest-grossing film playing in limited release.

At home, Crisis found a stronger second life, quickly climbing the iTunes charts, reaching No. 1 in multiple categories and hitting No. 2 in overall rentals within 24 hours. It later held the top rental spot for eight consecutive days, one of just four films in 2021 to achieve that feat. It also reached No. 2 on Amazon during its debut week.

So if you missed Crisis the first time around, Netflix might finally be its chance to reach a much wider audience.

Release Date

February 26, 2021

Runtime

118 minutes

Director

Nicholas Jarecki