Jennifer Garner reacts to Peppermint becoming number one movie on Netflix… more than two years after lukewarm response at the box office
Peppermint didn’t exactly set the box office on fire after debuting in theaters to generally negative reviews in September 2018.
But now, more than two years later, and the Jennifer Garner-led vigilante action thriller has shot to the top of the charts on Netflix since being added to the streaming service on December 1.
In fact, the movie, and all of Garner’s revenge-seeking action hero exploits, has reigned at number one for several days, and its leading lady seemed just as surprised by its recent success as some critics.
New life! The vigilante action thriller Peppermint, starring Jennifer Garner, is now the number movie on Netflix, more than two years after its lukewarm theatrical release
‘What a nice surprise! Peppermint is streaming on @netflix and you guys are watching it—thank you so much, it is an honor to fight for all of you,’ the actress, 48, shared in Instagram on Saturday.
In Peppermint, Garner plays Riley North, a mother who awakens from a coma and transforms herself into a vigilante in a quest for revenge against the drug cartel that killed her husband and daughter.
Channeling her frustration into personal motivation, she spends years in hiding honing her mind, body and spirit to become an unstoppable force – eluding the underworld, the LAPD and the FBI — as she methodically delivers her personal brand of justice.
Humbled: Garner called the film’s recent success ‘a nice surpise’ on Instagram on Saturday
Despite its mixed reviews upon the theatrical release, Garner’s performance, and physicality, did generate praise as it harked back to her roles in Alias (2001-2006), Daredevil (2003), Electra (2005) and The Kingdom (2007).
And it turns out many of her 10 million Instagram fans and followers love to see her in the action heroine role.
‘Loved it…made me remember your Alias days,’ and ‘Just watched it. So good. Gave some Alias vibes,’ summed up many of the comments on her social media platform.
Action star: Many of Garner’s social media followers commented on how they love seeing her in the action hero role like her television series Alias (2001-2006)
‘Some tremendous fight work, kid. @shaunaduggins,, too!,’ wrote another person who also gave props to the stunt coordinator and actress Shana Duggins.
There were even fans who are hoping for a sequel: ‘I hope there’s a part 2!’
Directed by Pierre Morel, who’s best known for helming such action-thrillers as Taken (2008) and The Guman (2015), Peppermint went on to gross $53 million at the worldwide box office on a budget that’s said to be around $25 million.
It also starred John Ortiz, John Gallagher Jr., Juan Pablo Raba, Tyson Ritter, Annie Ilonzeh, Jeff Hephner and Pell James, among others.
Lukewarm initial response: Peppermint grossed $53 million at the worldwide box office on a budget that’s said to be around $25 million