Morgan Freeman and John Cusack Stun in This Chart-Topping Hulu Thriller
I feel a distinct sense of sadness whenever a high-profile filmmaker falls from grace. I recognize how challenging making one movie is, let alone dozens, and I earnestly believe even one hit under your belt is a worthy accomplishment. It’s challenging to keep up forever, though I still often wonder what went wrong. How does one move from A-list hits to B-movie nonsense in the span of just a few short years?
Take filmmaker Bruce Beresford. Beresford is a two-time Academy Award nominee among plenty of other honors. He was a staple in the 1970s and 1980s, helming such classics as Driving Miss Daisy and Crimes of the Heart. In the 1990s, Beresford shifted into less-acclaimed psychological thriller territory. Remember Silent Fall and Double Jeopardy? Yup, those are Beresford. The trend continued into the 2000s, at which point Beresford failed to attract much interest, including in this Hulu chart-topper that seems to be finding a new audience online. Learn more about the surprise hit below:
Per Hulu: Attempting to recover from a recent family trauma by escaping into the woods for a peaceful hiking trip, an ex-lawman and his young son stumble across a dangerous contract killer in director Bruce Beresford’s forest-bound thriller.
The Contract barely made a dent when it was released back in 2006. Critical reviews were harsh, and despite the high-profile cast, an audience was nowhere to be found. A thriller with Morgan Freeman, John Cusack, and Alice Krige ought to have been a big hit, but this hitman thriller was dead on arrival. On critical aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, The Contract is sitting at a 0% rating. Worse still, there are fewer than just six reviews posted on the site.
It’s a shame since The Contract is earnestly a good deal of fun. I still can’t find anyone talking about the film, despite the strong showing on Hulu, but as a fan of Beresford’s filmography, I’m happy to see the film back in the conversation. It likely won’t last long, but it’s as good a reminder as any that nothing ever really misses its moment. Almost 20 years out, who knows—audiences might just rediscover the next best thing. The Contract got its chance. Now I’m wondering what’s next.
What do you think? Do you have any plans to check out The Contract? If so, let me know your thoughts over on Twitter @Chadiscollins.
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