Netflix's most expensive film ever produced is being savagely roasted by film critics.
The Gray Man was directed by The Russo Brothers, from the Marvel Cinematic Universe fame, and had a star-studded cast.
Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans were joined by Regé-Jean Page, Knives Out star Ana de Armas and Billy Bob Thornton.
The film cost a whopping $200 million to bring to life and it centres on CIA agent Court Gentry (Gosling), code name Sierra Six, as he finds out something dark about his organisation.
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This revelation brings Lloyd Hudson (Evans) into the picture, the ruthless assassin who will stop at nothing to take out Gentry before he makes his secret public.
While it has all the makings to be a Hollywood blockbuster, it seems like it's not getting much love from film experts.
The Gray Man is currently has a 49 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The aggregate site's critical consensus states that the 'entertaining action thriller' is 'filled in with lukewarm leftovers from far better films'. Ouch.
Rolling Stone's David Fear wrote of the movie: "The Gray Man wants to remind you of what an old-school dopamine dump these types of entertainments are, and it has what seems to be the necessary ingredients to do it. Which, to be honest, only makes you wish this was tighter, tauter, tougher, better."
The Financial Times' Danny Leigh added: "The Gray Man isn’t a bad movie, just one wilfully drained of substance or even dramatic tension."
While Barry Hertz from the Globe and Mail said: "It is a thriller made by people who know what great thrillers can do, but without the ability to make one themselves."
There were several reviews stating The Gray Man is a pretty decent movie if you want some easy entertainment, one-liners from Evans and Gosling, as well as an 'expensive-looking' aesthetic.
The main gripe appears to be that not much lies behind all the glitz and glamour of the film and cast.
When Joe and Anthony Russo signed up to helm Netflix's most expensive film, many were expecting it to be entertaining.
With credits like Infinity War and Endgame, you know these lads can create a memorable action sequence.
The Gray Man will be in theatres for a short period before hitting Netflix on July 22.
While it might be logical to foresee this film as the first of many Gray Man adventures, but the Hollywood Reporter's review seems to suggest the movie does not set that expectation.
"Letting this be a standalone adventure may be artistically wise," the outlet wrote.
"And with all the belt-tightening and revenue-seeking going on at Netflix, saying no to a crazy-expensive sequel might not even offend the artists involved."
