Margot Robbie & Colin Farrell’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey draws mixed reviews. Stunning visuals but weak chemistry and poor box office hurt its success.
Director Kogonada’s new movie A Big Bold Beautiful Journey receives mixed reviews from critics. It shows a story which is blended with romance, fantasy, and personal insight in a style that feels like a fairy tale. Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell first collaboration brings Academy Award nomination. The romantic fantasy film story is written by Seth Reiss.
Kogonada is famous for his thoughtful movies including “Columbus” and “After Yang.” while Seth Reiss is previously scripting for “The Menu”. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey was shot in California with a production budget of $45 million. Joe Hisaishi scored and was his first time for a Western film with additional songs by Laufey and a Mitski cover.
The film gets mixed reactions from critics. This film scores 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic gave a 42/100 rating to this film as Kogonada’s skill for making this film with high quality material and the strong acting from the leads. Despite the best directorial work, they are concerned about the script’s execution.
Critical Concerns is about tone mismatches and uneven pacing from the actors. Variety noted that “Farrell and Robbie seem remote and oddly flat, even in moments of deep intimacy and vulnerable feelings.” The New Yorker‘s Richard Brody suggested about directorial talent and pointing it to going in a wrong way. Rolling Stone hit hard, calling it a “disaster” which shows very tough pinching on director’s talent and actors’ wrong choice by taking this movie.
Overall, the film’s cinematography and theme is fantastic which received good reviews. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian rated it 3/5 stars. He also suggests that film needs to polish its work of art and let go of doubts. Little White praised Kogonada’s “singular, warm sensibility which is worth the ride for fans of its soft emotions, and gave 80/100.
As Deadline noted, Unfortunately, the film faced big troubles at the box office. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey was released on 19 September, 2025 in 3330 theatres and earned only $3.5 million in opening. With a $45 million budget production film received just $8.9 million worldwide is a disaster.
This represents a sharp difference from Margot Robbie’s last hit film, “Barbie.” which earned about $70.5 million on its opening day. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” 98% lower, the poor performance led to rapid decline in theatrical run.
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NPR says, The story follows Sarah (Margot Robbie) and David (Colin Farrell), two single strangers met at their mutual friend’s wedding. Both characters are suffering from their past relationships and not ready for commitment. This movie is inspired from films like “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Howl’s Moving Castle“, these movies are a blend fantasy of characters who deep dive into love, sorrow, faithfulness. The reflection of these movies are shown in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey.
The Hollywood Reporter mentioned, Kogonada’s unique way of shooting stands out in every scene. He uses neat frames and bright colors. The movie’s dramatic feel, like a stage production, reflects its exploration of performance and realistic love bond.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is receiving positive and negative reviews from critics and audiences. Positive review received for the film’s visual and blend of fantasy, and introspection but criticized for Actors low energy in some shots and Direction of Kogonada. The critical concern impacted the movie’s further theatrical run. Margot Robbie as Sarah and Colin Farrell as David performed well but seems too distant at the point which makes romantic fantasy film score less. Overall, the movie is still liked by some viewers, as the emotional comedy and artistic ambitions.
