Stephen King, the acclaimed horror icon, recently expressed mixed feelings about the sense of fun in the action film “The Fall Guy.” Despite its underperformance at the box office, the film has been well-received by critics and audiences alike, who generally agree that it is highly enjoyable. “The Fall Guy,” loosely based on the 1980s ABC series, stars Ryan Gosling as a down-and-out stuntman tasked with finding the missing star of his ex-girlfriend’s blockbuster film.
Gosling’s recent success with his comedic role as Ken in Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” had raised expectations for his performance in an action-packed film. While King did not outright deny that the movie was fun, he questioned if it was “great fun.” In response to author Linwood Barclay’s positive remarks about the film, King tweeted, “Yes, definitely fun, but great fun? Perhaps not.” This comment sparked mixed reactions online, with some agreeing and others disagreeing, though the sentiment about the film remains positive.
A still from The Fall Guy
Fans and social media users have praised the movie for its escapist fun, thrilling stunts, and strong performances by Gosling and Emily Blunt. Some of the standout elements highlighted include the impressive stunts, with one user calling the film “a beautiful love letter to action, stunt work, explosions, and filmmaking.” Despite this praise, the film’s box office performance has been disappointing, grossing just over $145 million worldwide since its premiere on May 3.
“The Fall Guy” serves as a tribute to the stunt community. At the movie’s premiere, Blunt emphasized the importance of stunt performers, referring to them as “the unsung heroes of our industry.” Gosling echoed this sentiment, describing the film as “a love letter to the stunt community” and advocating for stunt work to be recognized with an Oscar.
A still from The Fall Guy
Director David Leitch, a veteran stuntperson himself, directed “The Fall Guy.” Leitch has an extensive background in stunt work, having contributed to films like “Oceans Eleven,” “Fight Club,” and “I Am Legend” before transitioning to directing with the co-directed “John Wick” in 2014. His other directorial projects include “Deadpool 2” and “Bullet Train.”
“The Fall Guy” is currently available in theaters and on digital platforms. The plot follows Gosling’s character, Colt Seavers, as he works on his ex-girlfriend’s (Blunt) directorial debut, an action film. Complications arise when he discovers a conspiracy involving the movie’s lead actor, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The film also features performances by Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, and Winston Duke.
