A ‘forgotten’ thriller starring Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman is finding a new audience on social media, with fans calling it “10/10.”
The pair starred in The Invasion, a 2007 thriller directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. Despite featuring two Hollywood heavyweights, the film flopped at the box office, failing to recoup its reported £60 million budget. Released during a competitive period alongside The Bourne Ultimatum and The Simpsons Movie, it was overshadowed by other projects Craig and Kidman were involved in, including Craig’s Bond era and Kidman’s The Golden Compass.
The film follows a psychiatrist (Kidman) uncovering a strange phenomenon where people’s behavior changes after a space shuttle crashes. Initially intended as a remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), the story was updated for modern times. While critics panned it—The Invasion holds just 20% on Rotten Tomatoes—recent social media buzz suggests it might be due for a revival.
Instagram account NetflixnMovies, boasting over six million followers, shared a clip with the caption, “If you show any emotion, you die,” sparking renewed interest. The post garnered more than 370,000 likes and nearly 2,000 comments, with fans reminiscing and praising the film.
One commenter, MoviesWithMia, wrote: “I really enjoyed the 70s version with Donald Sutherland, but this was great too! I need to rewatch it.” Another, MalleahAllan, shared their excitement: “I’ve been looking for this movie forever!” StefanVocuck added, “I didn’t expect to love this reboot so much, but Nicole Kidman was fantastic.”
The renewed attention comes as The Invasion receives a 4K re-release in the UK, courtesy of Arrow Video, potentially cementing its place in the cult classic canon. Streaming platforms have previously played a role in reviving overlooked films, and The Invasion might follow suit.
Adapted from Jack Finney’s 1955 novel, Invasion of the Body Snatchers has seen several reimaginings, including films in 1956, 1978 (starring Donald Sutherland), and 1993. Though The Invasion didn’t initially succeed, its eerie plot and star power are drawing newfound appreciation from fans who missed it the first time around.
Despite its shaky start, could 2024 finally be The Invasion’s year? With its availability on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video and a high-definition release, it seems the film might be ready to claim its overdue moment in the spotlight.
Watch The Invasion on Prime Video.
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