In the vast world of entertainment, it's not uncommon for a movie to slip through the cracks and go unnoticed in theaters. Such was the case for the crime thriller, The Postcard Killings, which starred Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Famke Janssen. Despite its lackluster box office performance, the film has found a new lease on life as it recently landed a spot on Netflix's Top 10 movies chart for the US.
For those unfamiliar with the talented duo, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is widely recognized for his role as the menacing Negan in The Walking Dead franchise, and he is currently starring in the ongoing spinoff, Dead City. On the other hand, Famke Janssen gained fame as Jean Grey in the X-Men movie series and played a prominent role in the Taken trilogy as Lenore Mills. With such esteemed actors leading the cast, it's no wonder that viewers are flocking to see their collaboration onscreen.
Released in 2020, The Postcard Killings centers around Detective Jacob Kanon (Morgan), who embarks on a relentless pursuit of a serial killer following the tragic death of his daughter. The film, which initially struggled to gain traction in theaters with a meager box office earnings of less than $200,000, seems to have found its audience on the streaming platform. Now, it sits comfortably at Number 7 on Netflix's Top 10 movies chart for the US in the week of January 22 to January 28, 2024.
The storyline of The Postcard Killings is based on the 2010 novel, The Postcard Killers, written by James Patterson and Liza Marklund. The film is helmed by director Danis Tanovic, who is well-known for his critically acclaimed Bosnian productions like No Man's Land and Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker. However, his first foray into American cinema hasn't resonated as strongly with critics, as the film currently holds a 25% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite the tepid critical reception, the star power of Morgan and Janssen appears to have served as a draw for audiences. Fans of the actors may have been eagerly awaiting their return to the screen, especially since Morgan is set to reprise his role in The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 and Janssen is gearing up to star in the upcoming sci-fi horror film, The Experiment. Familiar faces and the anticipation of seeing these talented individuals together could explain the film's surge in popularity.
Crime dramas and thrillers have long been a successful genre for Netflix, with the streaming platform producing multiple hit crime TV shows. It's not surprising then that The Postcard Killings, with its intriguing premise of hunting down a serial killer, has captured the attention of viewers. While the film's overall reception may raise doubts about its future performance, the fact that it has resonated with audiences suggests that it could have staying power on the platform.
While The Postcard Killings managed to secure a place in Netflix's Top 10 movies chart for the US, it wasn't able to break into the coveted Global Top 10. However, its resurgence on streaming platforms demonstrates the power of digital media in extending the life and reach of a film that might have otherwise faded into obscurity.
So, if you're in the mood for a gripping crime thriller with compelling performances from Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Famke Janssen, give The Postcard Killings a chance. Who knows, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised by this hidden gem that has found a new home on Netflix.
