Under-The-Radar 2022 Movie With 97% RT Audience Score Becomes Global Netflix Hit

Summary

• Lifemark
  , directed by Kevin Peeples, unexpectedly became a Netflix hit, ranking no. 8 on the global top 10 chart with 3.5 million views.
• Despite a limited theatrical release and small box office earnings,
  Lifemark
  received positive reviews from both critics and audiences.
• The film faced criticism for supposedly promoting a pro-life agenda, potentially hindering its wider distribution despite its adoption narrative.

The movie Lifemark becomes a Netflix hit as it makes the global top 10. Directed by Kevin Peeples, Lifemark is a 2022 drama that tells the story of a young man named David whose life is shaken up when his birth mother reaches out to him, wanting to meet him after 18 years. Birthmark features a leading cast including Kirk Cameron, Alex Kendrick, Marisa Lynae Hampton, Dawn Long, Rebecca Rogers, and Raphael Ruggero.

Now, Lifemark has become an unexpected hit film on streaming as it makes it onto the Netflix global top 10 chart. Lifemark made it to no. 8 on the chart for the week of April 22 to April 28, getting 3.5 million views. Topping the list this week were Rebel Moon: Part Two — The Scargiver at no. 1 (18.8 million views), Anyone But You at no. 2 (10.6 million views), and Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp at no. 3 (9.2 million views).

How Was Lifemark Received Upon Its Release?

Lifemark was released in theaters on September 9, 2022 via Fathom Events. Its release was limited, and it only made a mere $5.6 million worldwide. Despite staying in theaters for 16 weeks, a huge chunk of its gross was during opening weekend, where it made $2.1 million.

Despite this small box office showing, Lifemark received decent reviews upon its release. Though it only had six reviews, critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an 83% Tomatometer. Audience members also loved the film, as it has an audience score of 96% with over 1,000 reviews. Audiences praised the film for being a touching adoption story with strong performances.

However, not all people were as positive about Lifemark. One Rotten Tomatoes audience reviewer wrote that Lifemark was “a vehicle to push a pro-life agenda.” This take on the film may have been part of why Lifemark did not receive wider distribution, as the politicized undertones may have offset some of the film’s purpose in trying to tell a story about adoption and grappling with one’s past.

Lifemark was also made by a largely unknown cast and crew, limiting its release opportunity. This fact also helps explain why Lifemark may not have done as well as it could have in theaters, as it did not have a lot of star power behind it to drive a wider release. Luckily for the under-the-radar film, it has a chance to redeem itself as streaming viewers get the opportunity to watch the film on Netflix and discover it two years later.

Source: Netflix