An action-packed globetrotting blockbuster hailing from a top-tier filmmaker that boasts an A-list cast, an ingenious high concept, and action sequences to burn sounds like a guaranteed success on paper, but Knight and Day ultimately conspired to be a crushing disappointment based on nothing but the numbers.
Despite Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz in the lead roles – backed by a supporting ensemble including Viola Davis, Paul Dano, Peter Sarsgaard, Maggie Grace, and many more – James Mangold’s old-school adventure topped out at a solid-if-unspectacular $262 million at the box office, to go along with tepid Rotten Tomatoes scores of 52 and 49 percent from critics and customers.
That paints the picture of a superficial shooter that was all style and no substance, but in the decade and change since its release, theories have emerged that Knight and Day was actually too far ahead of its time. There are countless plot holes Cruise could parachute through, to be fair, but some opinions have offered that it’s all intentionally done as part of the film’s self-aware and borderline meta charm.
Whatever side of the fence you sit on – or even if you’re of the belief it’s either a very good or deservedly down-voted disaster – the $110 million spy caper has conspired to rustle up some fresh positivity on streaming. Per FlixPatrol, Knight and Day ranks as one of the top-viewed titles on the Prime Video worldwide watch-list, with Cruise’s undimmed star wattage ensuring anything he does – however it was received at the time – continues to generate interest.