David Fincher Finally Gets a Netflix Hit with ‘The Killer’

Tom Brueggemann
·3 min read
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As expected, Netflix had a quick hit on its hands this weekend: David Fincher’s “The Killer” was an immediate #1 on the streamer. Credit the genre and star Michael Fassbender for giving it a boost that even top directors like Fincher don’t always guarantee.

After all, even Fincher’s first Netflix film, “Mank,” wasn’t a hit. His second offering for the streamer is immediately doing far better than his 2019 black-and-white biopic. Despite good reviews — and eventual Oscar nominations — “Mank” made Netflix’s top 10 for just one day and it only ranked at #10.

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As for “The Killer,” its action appeal, a lead actor not known for streaming originals, and elevated festival attention (there also was a limited big-city theatrical run, little supported by top chains) all seem to have contributed to its immediate ascension to #1. It replaced “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” with Sony’s big summer hit still #2.

Netflix originals only took one other place the chart: “Locked In,” a London-set thriller involving a nurse (Famke Janssen) trying to help a comatose patient, got as high as #3 during the week, and is currently #5. The film has become a sleeper success (the French-produced film ranked #1 worldwide on Netflix last week). Whether “The Killer” has a similarly sustained interest remains to be determined.

Elsewhere, both iTunes and Google Play saw “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One” (Paramount) jump back to #1 on their VOD charts, with audiences reacting to its price cut for rental to $5.99. It was also a week without significant new releases that might have challenged it. (Note: Vudu, always listed with their revenue-based top 10 on VOD, will return next week. They have no list this week.)

The Tom Cruise-starring sequel, which had a lower-than-expected theatrical result (with a domestic gross $172 million, it is already short of the year’s 10 top hits), is seeing interest despite its unusual 90-day window. But like in theaters, it pales compared to “Barbie” (Warner Bros.), which is in its third month in the top 10 and still costs $19.99 to rent.

“Sound of Freedom” (Angel) ranks highest among $19.99 films (in its case, for digital purchase). In its second week, it is #2 at iTunes and #3 at Google Play, ahead of its position last week at these two sites.

Paul Dano stars as Keith Gill in DUMB MONEY.
“Dumb Money”Claire Folger

After a disappointing theatrical run, “Dumb Money” (Sony) managed #8 at iTunes. “The Other Zoey” (Brainstorm) is the other new title, #10 at Google Play. Renting for $5.99, the college-set rom-com had a brief theatrical run.

iTunes and Google Play rank films daily by number of transactions. These are the listings for Monday, November 13. Distributors listed are current rights owners. Prices for all titles are for lowest for either rental or download.

iTunes

1. Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning: Part One (Paramount) – $5.99

2. Sound of Freedom (Angel) – $19.99

3. PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (Paramount) – $19.99

4. Blue Beetle (Warner Bros.) – $5.99

5. Gran Turismo (Sony) – $5.99

6. Barbie (WB) – $19.99

7. The Equalizer 3 (Sony) – $19.99

8. Dumb Money (Sony) – $19.99

9. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal)

10. After Everything (Fathom) — $5.99

Google Play

1. Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning: Part One (Paramount) – $5.99

2. Blue Beetle (WB) – $5.99

3. Sound of Freedom (Angel) – $19.99

4. The Equalizer II (Sony) – $19.99

5. Barbie (WB) – $19.99

6. PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (Paramount) – $19.99

7. Gran Turismo (Sony) – $5.99

8. Talk to Me (A24) – $4.99

9. After Everything (Fathom) – $5.99

10. The Other Zoey (Brainstorm) – $6.99

Netflix Movies

Most viewed, current ranking on Netflix’s daily chart on Monday, November 13. Originals include both Netflix-produced and acquired titles it initially presents in the U.S. Netflix publishes its own weekly top 10 on Tuesdays based on time viewe

1. The Killer (2023 Netflix original)

2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023 theatrical release)

3. The Impossible (2012 theatrical release)

4. Locked In (Netflix original)

5. No Hard Feelings (2023 theatrical release)

6. 13 Going on 30 (2004 theatrical release)

7. Minions (2015 theatrical release)

8. Legion (2010 theatrical release)

9. Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche (2021 theatrical documentary)

10. Pitch Perfect (2012 theatrical release)

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