When Marvel Studios first announced that Joe and Anthony Russo would be directing Captain America: The Winter Soldier, many people were left perplexed. After all, the siblings hadn’t helmed a feature in eight years, and that was critically panned rom-com You, Me and Dupree.
However, it would be fair to say that the Russos have more than assuaged those doubts after tackling four Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbusters, all of which received strong reviews, won praise from audiences and did massive business at the box office. And now that their stint in the MCU is over, it’s time for them to establish themselves as acclaimed filmmakers outside of their comic book comfort zone.
Semi-autobiographical crime thriller Cherry scored a limited theatrical release two weeks ago, and it’s debuted on AppleTV+ today, with the streaming service having shelled out a hefty sum to acquire the rights. It was originally pegged as a potential awards season contender, and while star Tom Holland‘s performance has been singled out as a high point, the response has been pretty underwhelming so far.
Cherry currently holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 43%, with the Russos being accused of heavily favoring style over substance. Despite the lukewarm consensus, though, viewers appear to have gotten a real kick out of it nonetheless, and you can check out some of the reactions below.
https://twitter.com/p_k_harris/status/1370301504985387011
https://twitter.com/Wandavision11/status/1370301463092551681
Out now on Apple TV. Go and watch this incredible performance of Tom Holland and Ciara Bravo. #Cherry pic.twitter.com/E2eKPRvmz7
— Lena ღ (@itss_lena) March 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/nwhtholland/status/1370297662818418689
https://twitter.com/afteredithessa/status/1370297563111321600
Cherry was actually good. it’s got some pacing issues and the first 50 mins isn’t great but once the War stuff starts it gets real good and suspenseful. and Tom Holland is amazing as usual.
— Moocle 🐢🍍 (@Mooocle) March 12, 2021
So I watched #Cherry movie and wow what an incredible movie and incredibly sad story it told. @TomHolland1996 @ciarabravo you all played Cherry and Emily so well. Also congrats @Russo_Brothers for making such an amazing film. Nico Walker now I must read your novel.
— Maisie (@mase_the_great) March 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/cousintrunk/status/1370290832058683393
oh. my. god. I just finished cherry and I literally can not even begin to speak on tom holland in this. I knew he was a good actor but i’m blown away, from infatuation to disbelief, he took us on a rollercoaster I never expected him capable of. once in a lifetime man. he did it.
— 𝑒𝓁𝓁𝒶🦋 (@pedropark3r) March 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/dannnniiii_n/status/1370290377291300876
This is the second weekend in a row to deliver a new Tom Holland movie, but Cherry is at least poised to fare better than YA adaptation Chaos Walking, which sat on the shelf for years only to debut last Friday and sink at the box office amid terrible reviews. Luckily, the young actor also has a surefire smash hit coming in December when Spider-Man: No Way Home arrives.
