Gifted, Chris Evans’ most underrated movie, becomes a global Netflix hit seven years after its original release. Directed by Marc Webb, also known for 500 Days of Summer and The Amazing Spider-Man movies, his 2017 film follows an intellectually gifted seven-year-old girl who becomes caught in a custody dispute between her maternal uncle and grandmother. Chris Evans stars in the lead role alongside Mckenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Jenny Slate, and the Oscar-winning Octavia Spencer.
Now, seven years after its original release, Chris Evans’ most underrated movie has become a global hit on Netflix. Gifted ranks third on Netflix’s Global Top 10 chart for the week of September 16-22 with 9.9 million views and 16.9 million hours viewed. It ranked just below the new Netflix original Uglies and Rebel Ridge in the first two spots and above His Three Daughters in fifth place.
Gifted isn’t available on Netflix in the United States, though it is streaming on Prime Video and for free on Tubi.
Why Gifted Is Chris Evans’ Most Underrated Movie
It Was Particularly Praised For His Performance
Because Chris Evans is best known for his portrayal of Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including multiple solo and Avengers movies, he rarely receives recognition for his other work. In turn, Gifted, a low-budget drama, is perhaps the most underrated movie of his career. The film garnered mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, who particularly praised Chris Evans’ performance and his ability to deliver engaging drama despite a somewhat predictable storyline. Gifted grossed an impressive $43 million on a small $7 million budget and has a strong 73% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
While his performances in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Snowpiercer have received some well-deserved recognition, Gifted showcases Chris Evans’ emotional range beyond his typical action-hero persona. His portrayal of a devoted uncle navigating the complexities of raising a child prodigy shows he is capable of delivering heartfelt and nuanced performances. The film’s focus on family dynamics and moral dilemmas allows Evans to shine in a more grounded and relatable role, demonstrating his versatility as an actor who is often overshadowed by his blockbuster roles.
Our Take On Gifted’s Netflix Success
Chris Evans Should Return To Low-Budget Dramas
Chris Evans’ post-MCU career has been immensely disappointing, starring in the much-derided Ghosted, Pain Hustlers, and The Gray Man. However, Gifted‘s Netflix success is a reminder that one of Evans’ best performances outside the MCU came in 2017 when he was still starring in the franchise. With Evans recently experiencing a few misfires, perhaps heartfelt, low-budget dramas like Gifted are a better utilization of his talents.
Source: Netflix
