In a surprising turn of events, the movie Despierto, a production from 19 years ago that had fallen into obscurity, has become the most viewed in Spain on the streaming platform Netflix. Despite its poor initial reception, the work has managed to surpass recent releases like El botín, an original production featuring renowned stars like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
No one knows why this is happening
The Netflix algorithms, known for their unpredictability, have played a crucial role in this phenomenon. Despite the promotional campaigns and advertising for El botín, just two weeks after its premiere, it was overshadowed by a movie that many thought was forgotten. This interesting turn of events underscores how enigmatic and complex the systems are that determine what users watch on the platform.
Awake, which tells the story of a paralyzed but conscious man during a heart operation, was severely criticized upon its release in 2007. Comments like “less painful than having your chest opened” and “makes one want to assume a state opposite to the title” took a toll on its reputation, leading its director and screenwriter, Joby Harold, to distance himself from the industry for years after its failure. However, Harold has managed to reinvent himself in his career, participating in successful productions such as Army of the Dead and the series Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Despite its destructive criticism, Despierto has generated a surprising box office of $32.7 million with a budget of $8.6 million. This resurrection of the film, which has captivated a new audience, raises questions about the nature of success in the context of digital content. Could it be that the unexpected connection with the audience is due to factors that even the platform itself cannot comprehend? Only Netflix’s algorithm knows.
