Against All Odds: Guy Ritchie’s ‘Fountain of Youth’ Becomes a Streaming Sensation!

Known for his critically praised work, Guy Ritchie has consistently delivered successful projects over time. Surprisingly, his recent action film garnered negative reviews but still managed to become a box office success.

The recent production he’s put out is “Fountain of Youth”, a movie reminiscent of Indiana Jones that ventures Ritchie into a different genre, away from his typical fast-paced action films. Interestingly, this movie didn’t resonate well with critics or the audience at the box office. However, it turned out to be a streaming sensation, climbing up the charts in numerous countries following its release, according to reports.

The Fountain of Youth made its debut exclusively on streaming platforms on May 23, bypassing a traditional theatrical release. Interestingly, this film genre was suitable for a grand theater premiere, but instead, it immediately soared to the top in 24 countries where it was available at the time of its release, even without a theatrical debut.

Over the next two days, May 24th and May 25th, the same pattern persisted, expanding its reach to even more nations. In a remarkable turn of events, “Fountain of Youth” became the top choice in an impressive 99 countries, including the United States. Additionally, this movie made its debut on Amazon channels within the U.S., landing at the third spot.

In this new rendition, we follow the character, Thief and Adventurer, as he embarks on a mission to discover the legendary Fountain of Youth. To aid him in his search, he recruits the assistance of his long-lost sibling, Charlotte, who is portrayed by Natalie Portman.

Despite the film’s widespread acclaim, it didn’t make a significant impact. The critical reception on Rotten Tomatoes initially wasn’t great, and as more reviews rolled in, the score continued to dip, eventually reaching 37%. Critics found it enjoyable but criticized John Krasinski’s character, the lack of convincing sibling chemistry with Natalie Portman, and the unoriginality in terms of genre. The film’s only standout points were the action sequences that align with Ritchie’s signature style.

To put it simply, Apple TV+ viewers who watched the movie gave it a poor rating of 42%. Similar to critics, some viewers appreciated the action and visuals, but criticized the chemistry, labeling it as a “poor imitation” of Indiana Jones. Many found the performances underwhelming; one reviewer commented that John Krasinski’s acting felt like Ryan Reynolds in disguise, while another mentioned Natalie Portman’s character as being both annoying and unrealistic.

Fountain of Youth Featured True Stunts From Krasinski and Portman

Guy Ritchie is renowned for his dynamic action-oriented style, which was clearly showcased in the adventure film. His expertise contributed to numerous enjoyable scenes, yet he didn’t shy away from making the actors perform challenging physical feats. Moreover, Portman and Krasinski themselves performed practical stunts, including a scene where water was poured on them during the perilous shipwreck sequence.

In an interview, Portman stated, “We were filmed as if we were drowning,” she explained. “Thankfully, we had our wetsuits on, which provided a bit of buoyancy. It was quite thrilling.” The Academy Award-winning actress went on to say, “A real shipwreck set was constructed for the scene,” she noted. “This hardly ever happens anymore. Nowadays, everything is computer-generated and uses green screens. However, having this incredible set built in a massive tank with trucks creating waves in the tank made it an incredibly wild and enjoyable experience.

Consequently, this action resulted in injuries too, both on set, and due to his dehydrated state. He seemed to think I could handle anything, given his sweet and cheerful nature. So, he casually said, “‘Johnny, we’re going to have a train moving. Just run at it and jump on the back.’ To which I responded, ‘When are we doing that?’ He replied, ‘We’re starting now – here we go.’

Due to exhaustion, my stride became awkward in the movie. Here’s how I described it: ‘I felt as if I’d been caught in a dust storm and had to hobble like a Tin Man to catch the train.’ Determined not to miss this opportunity, I pushed through.

Fountain of Youth is available to stream on Apple TV+.

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2025-05-25 21:20