Filmmaker Matthew Vaughn, known for often over-the-top films, has seen a mix of reactions throughout his career. With movies like “Kick-Ass” polarizing audiences with their bold content, Vaughn isn’t a stranger to controversy. While his debut film “Layer Cake” and “Stardust” were less contentious, his vibrant style often walks a fine thematic line.
The 2024 film “Argylle,” despite boasting a stellar cast including Sam Rockwell, Catherine O’Hara, Jon Cena, Samuel L. Jackson, and Dua Lipa, failed to impress on many fronts as a spinoff from his “Kingsman” series. Intended to be an over-the-top spy-comedy, “Argylle” didn’t sit well with critics, despite Vaughn aiming for a tongue-in-cheek narrative. It’s compared to the 1967’s “Casino Royale” and “Hudson Hawk” in terms of absurdity — the latter being labeled unfairly by reviewers, according to some.
Despite its shortcomings, Vaughn was nonetheless surprised by the negative critical reception “Argylle” faced.
The Jarring Contrast Between Joyful Premiers and Critical Backlash
In an Empire magazine interview, Vaughn expressed initial optimism for “Argylle,” with pleasent test screenings and a buzzing premiere. However, critics didn’t share the same sentiment:
“We had done test screenings that had gone fantastically well. The premiere was a really fun night, and it was like going back to the ‘Snatch’ days where there was such excitement. And I started drinking the Kool-Aid. It’s a fun, feel-good movie, or I thought it was a fun, feel-good movie. All the interviews I did, people seemed to have a good time. We didn’t make ‘Citizen Kane,’ but f***ing hell…”
Here’s what some critics said:
“What you’re left with as the credits roll is just the realization that time keeps marching on — and you’ve just lost 139 minutes of it.”
“If you’re looking for a movie that follows its own internal logic, ‘Argylle’ isn’t it. The film is a wreck.”
“An achievement of sorts that while no one in ‘Argylle’ can actually pronounce the name Argylle properly, this would not make a list of the 50 most annoying things about the film.”
Vaughn found the criticism perplexing, particularly given the high stakes with Apple’s $200 million investment.
Vaughn’s Take on Resilience After Critical Bombing
Vaughn admitted to being affected by the negativity, compounded by the film’s poor box office return:
“[Y]ou don’t want to let financiers down, and partners down, and Apple down. They took a big swing on us. I even went round to cinemas because I thought, ‘Maybe I’ve lost the plot now.’ It did rattle me. I’m genuinely scratching my head about that. I’m genuinely scratching my head about that, because you can’t ignore it. It wasn’t like [just] a few bad reviews.”
With a worldwide gross of just $96.2 million on a $200 million budget, the outlook wasn’t great. Nonetheless, a small portion of critics did embrace “Argylle,” and Vaughn is looking forward to his new project, “Project X,” offering him some solace in the wake of “Argylle’s” critical and financial disappointments.
FAQs about Argylle and Matthew Vaughn’s Experience
- What is Argylle about?
Argylle is a spy-comedy film that follows a novelist caught up in real espionage. - Who stars in Argylle?
The film features actors such as Sam Rockwell, Catherine O’Hara, Jon Cena, Samuel L. Jackson, and Dua Lipa. - How did critics respond to Argylle?
The film received largely negative reviews from critics, with some harsh criticism targeted at its narrative and overall execution. - Did Argylle perform well at the box office?
No, Argylle performed poorly, only making $96.2 million against a $200 million budget. - How has director Matthew Vaughn reacted to the criticism?
Vaughn was surprised and rattled by the extent of the negative reception, expressing concern about letting down the financiers and partners involved in the project.