Holidays? Nah, Let’s Hustle!
While everyone else dives headfirst into holiday movie marathons, there’s a treasure among the tinsel: *The Hustle* starring Anne Hathaway. Because who needs Christmas spirit when you can revel in the art of conning on Netflix, right?
Netflix’s New Gems: Because Who Doesn’t Love a Good Scramble?
Hot off the press, Netflix has graced us with a delightful smorgasbord of new flicks! With titles like *Babylon*, *House of Gucci*, and *Mean Girls* (both the original and the musical remake) now available, it’s like Netflix is throwing a cinematic buffet, and somehow, *The Hustle* is the underdog that waltzed right in and stole the last chicken nugget.
Climbing the Ranks: From Zero to Hero
*The Hustle*, featuring the dynamic duo of Hathaway and Rebel Wilson, was added to Netflix on December 12. In an impressive feat, it quickly bamboozled its way into the Top 10, snagging the No. 4 spot by December 17, right above fresh Christmas titles. Apparently, viewers find con artistry far more entertaining than another round of holiday cheer!
The Plot Twist We Didn’t Ask For
Set against a backdrop of schemes, *The Hustle* is a modern-day spin on the 1988 classic, *Dirty Rotten Scoundrels*. It stars Hathaway as Josephine Chesterfield, a British con artist, and Wilson as Penny Rust, an Australian counterpart. Together, they embark on a criminal caper to rob a tech billionaire of his fortune—with more twists than a pretzel factory.
Learning the Craft of Conning
As plots go awry (because what’s conning without a few bumps on the road?), Joanne attempts to school Penny in the fine art of deception. Not to spoil anything, but there’s a twist that even seasoned viewers might not see coming—because nothing says “surprise” quite like realizing you’ve watched an entire 90 minutes of deception.
The Critics’ Verdict: A Study in Irony
Now, here’s where things get juicy: The critics were less than impressed. With a mere 13% score on Rotten Tomatoes, one can only assume they were convinced they needed a refund for their ticket. Viewers, however, were slightly kinder, bestowing a 44% audience score. Apparently, the masses thought, “Hey, at least it was entertaining enough to make it a box office success!” Grossing over $97 million worldwide against a budget of $21 million, MGM was probably thrilled—not enough for a sequel, but enough to keep their doors open.
Hathaway and Wilson: The Odd Yet Charming Pair
As for me? I adored this film in theaters back in 2019. Give me Anne Hathaway anytime, and my day is made—especially when she’s cracking jokes instead of just breaking our hearts. Watching her team up with Wilson is like witnessing a culinary experiment that surprisingly tastes good, thanks to their unique comedic chemistry that somehow worked!
More Wilson and Hathaway: Because You Deserve More Than One Serving
In case you’re left hungry for more, you can feast your eyes on Rebel Wilson’s *How to Be Single* and *Isn’t It Romantic?* on Netflix (though consider watching the latter before it vanishes like all good things). For Hathaway lovers, also try out *The Last Thing He Wanted*, *Ocean’s 8*, and *Bride Wars*. Prepare your snacks before diving into *The Hustle*, and do catch the trailer—it’s like a mini con, but for your entertainment.
