Henry Cavill’s Action Film Bombed a Year Ago – Here’s the Impact!

Released in theaters in January 2024, Matthew Vaughn’s latest film, “Argylle,” failed to captivate audiences. Known for hits like “Kick-Ass,” “Kingsman,” and “X-Men: First Class,” Vaughn returned to the director’s chair with “Argylle” at the start of 2024. This light-hearted, twist-filled feature follows Elly Conway, a bestselling novelist whose stories about a secret agent named Argylle unexpectedly intertwine with her own life. The film, starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Dua Lipa, and Henry Cavill, was intended to deliver a mix of action and comedy, reminiscent of Vaughn’s previous successes.

However, the film did not deliver on its promise to either audiences or critics. Despite positive test screenings and a lively premiere, the official release was met with a wave of negative reviews.

In an interview last year with Empire magazine, Vaughn shared his shock at the cold reception. “We had test screenings that went incredibly well. The premiere was a lot of fun, reminiscent of the days of ‘Snatch’ [Vaughn was the producer] when there was so much excitement,” he explained.

The director, clearly affected, continued: “It’s a fun, feel-good film, or at least, that was my impression. Sure, we didn’t make ‘Citizen Kane,’ but come on… And then the reviews came out and I thought, ‘Wait, what did I do to offend these people?’ They were scathing. I’m not saying the movie is perfect, but I didn’t think it was offensive. It took me by surprise. It shook me. I’ve been really thinking about it, because you can’t just ignore it. It wasn’t just a few bad reviews. It was what it was. You learn from these things.”

Despite the setback, Matthew Vaughn seems determined to learn from this experience. It’s a tough moment for a director accustomed to praise, but it also reflects the ups and downs of the film industry.

“Argylle” is currently available on VOD.