Netflix‘s hot new rom-com might have been mauled by critics and fans alike, but that hasn’t stopped it topping the global top 10 on the platform – for the second week in a row.
The Union, starring screen icons Halle Berry, 58, and Mark Wahlberg, 53, went straight in at number one on the streaming platform’s weekly chart last week with 31,100,000 views, just a few days after premiering.
Fans are continuing to tune in in their droves, clocking up a whopping 73,800,000 hours viewed in its second week, and more than 40,600,000 views in total between August 19 – August 25.
In comparison, Incoming was second in the charts with 15,000,000 hours viewed and 9,900,000 total views for the same week.
However, despite the number of people reportedly watching it, the popular Netflix film – which was released on August 16 – has failed to impress fans, who gave it a woeful rating of 23% on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, calling it ‘an empty shell of a movie’.
‘This movie was so bad and boring I created a Rotten Tomato account to vent,’ posted Kevin G. ‘There is absolutely no chemistry between the cast. They all just phoned it in. Very disappointing.’
In The Union, Mike McKenna (Wahlberg) is unexpectedly thrust into the world of super spies and secret agents after being recruited by his high school sweetheart Roxanne (former Bond girl Berry), with the pair embarking on a high-stakes US intelligence mission.
Directed by Entourage’s Julian Farino, it also co-stars J.K. Simmons, Lorraine Bracco and Mike Colter.
It actually marks a low point for both Wahlberg and Berry over the past decade, with neither star having received such a low audience reaction rating in that time.
Uncharted star Wahlberg managed just 24% for 2008’s The Happening, while Oscar winner Berry got the same score for Movie 43 in 2013.
However, The Union did fare better in its reviews, with its ratings adding up to a rather more generous (if still rotten) critics’ score of 38% on Rotten Tomatoes.
As with many films too, other fans were very much entertained by The Union, lavishing it with praise online while noting its refreshing use of slightly older actors.
‘Superb Movie,’ Jeff Kehoe wrote on X. ‘Loved the Interactions & the Spirit & the Humour👏 Great Car Chase & Fight Scenes👊’
Doughtnotman added: ‘@halleberry‘s #TheUnion was the first time I enjoyed an action movie in a long time.
‘Btw, Halle Berry is 58? She got some forever genes mehn. Shout out to
@markwahlberg too. The onscreen chemistry with Halle was believable.’
Pramitheus wrote: ‘Netflix keeps trying to make mission: impossible movie clones & i think they finally have a good one with the union. Quite refreshing to see spies in their 50s rekindling their romance. the action is great. Halle Berry is wow, whattawow.’
ForgeCarter said: ‘Well this was just pure fun. Halle should definitely do more action movies. I’m still waiting for her John Wick spin-off.’
Viewers were also curious as to why one particular element was missing from the rom-com spy thriller.
@leon_noel24 demanded to know: ‘Why was there no kiss tho?????’
@jazzy_j_97 also wrote on X: ‘They should’ve kissed!’
Well, they have their answer as director Farino has offered a pretty sound explanation.
‘We take the relationship to a certain place, and then I think you’ve got to leave a lot of space to go,’ Farino told Variety.
‘Netflix always said to us at the beginning, “You have to think of this as a possible three-movie idea.” So if an audience comes out wanting a kiss, then we’ve probably done alright, in my opinion.’
Berry revealed she was on board with Farino’s vision and added: ‘Once they kiss, then it’s over. We’re hoping if we get to do a second one, we’ll let that chase continue. You want to see the journey – to see these two high school sweethearts find each other.’
Her on-screen lover Wahlberg teased that if their characters do get to hook up in the future, then there will be a ‘lot more than a kiss.’
Although some of the reaction may have been savage, if The Union keeps up its streaming domination, then the cast, director and fans may get their wish for a round two reunion.
The Union is available to stream now on Netflix.
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