Adam Driver’s Racing Biopic Speeds to Streaming Triumph

Adam Driver‘s portrayal of Enzo Ferrari in the eponymous racing drama directed by Michael Mann has found a new lane to success, steering clear of its lukewarm reception at the box office. Despite its underwhelming $42.3 million theatrical earnings, the film has raced to prominence on streaming platforms.

Ferrari now accelerates as the eighth most-watched movie on streaming for the week ending May 29, according to Reelgood data. Positioned prominently on Hulu’s virtual shelves, it overtakes cinematic contenders like Oppenheimer and Dune: Part One, although it’s edged out by titles such as The Iron Claw and Madame Web. Notably, Dune: Part Two dominates the streaming charts, claiming the top position.

Director Mann has been celebrated for creating hits like Heat and Collateral. However, with Enzo Ferrari’s biopic film, Mann steered into a different lane. Despite Mann’s sterling reputation, not all his projects have revved up the box office engine, and Ferrari is no exception.

Ferrari

Release Date

December 25, 2023

Runtime

2hr 10min

Studio

Forward Pass, Storyteller Productions, Moto Productions

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With a reported budget of $95 million, the $42.3 million theatrical haul falls short of expectations, signaling a financial pit stop for the film. Calculating the standard Hollywood metrics, Ferrari faces an uphill climb to profitability, with a break-even point estimated significantly higher than its theatrical earnings.

However, the Reelgood data paints a different picture, suggesting a resurgence for Ferrari in the digital domain. Garnering a commendable 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, with an audience score even higher at 74%, the Ferrari seems to have found traction among viewers. Notably, its gripping racing sequences and portrayal of the Mille Miglia accident have earned accolades, contributing to its newfound popularity on streaming platforms.

Adam Driver Responds to Critics of His Italian Roles

Adam Driver recently addressed critics questioning his portrayal of Italians in consecutive roles. During an interview on Smartless podcast, Driver responded to queries about playing Maurizio Gucci and Enzo Ferrari, expressing indifference with his trademark wit, saying:

Who gives a s—t that it was two Italians back-to-back?

His light-hearted remark drew laughter from hosts Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes. Driver laid out his priority as an actor: collaborating with esteemed filmmakers like Ridley Scott and Michael Mann, who directed him in House of Gucci and Ferrari, respectively.

Related

Why Ferrari Is a Box Office Disaster

Ferrari has screeched to a halt at the box office.

He shrugged off concerns about repetitive casting, attributing it to coincidence rather than design, while praising the caliber of directors he’s had the privilege to work with.

“So many people have been like, ‘How many Italians… ?’ I’m like, ‘It’s just kind of worked out that way.’ I think someone probably would — should have said, you know, [something] because it’s going to come up a lot […] But I’m like, well it’s Ridley, and it’s Michael. And they’re in my mind some of the best filmmakers.”

Driver prioritizes collaborating with top filmmakers over strategic role selection for profit. He pointed out the importance of working with the best in the industry. “In my mind, it’s a filmmaker’s medium. So, I’m strategic in that, ‘Well, isn’t the goal then to work with great filmmakers?’ […] I made myself available to try to work with them if it came up,” the actor said.