Jane Austen Meets Fleabag in One Dakota Johnson Movie That’s Actually Worth Watching
Or is it?
No matter how many years pass, some stories of great romance and even greater tragedy remain unmatched.
Every fan of the genre will name at least one of Jane Austen's stories as their favorite, simply because they will always remain relatable, capturing not only the historical background, but one thing that has remained unchanged for humanity ever since. The power of love and emotion.
The longer these romances exist, the more people try to tackle and interpret them. From stage plays to Jane Austen-inspired products, the author's legacy will undoubtedly live on for many centuries to come. Some adaptations, however, are considered more questionable than others.
The star of the recently failed Marvel production of Madame Web, Dakota Johnson, is already familiar with the feeling of having her project torn to shreds by audiences. One could argue that the long-time fans of Austen were even more cruel in their criticism than those of the comic universes. Still, 2022's Persuasion deserves some of your attention.
Why Is Netflix ’s Persuasion Bad?
It's safe to say that Netflix's adaptation of Persuasion is one of the worst failures the platforms have had in recent memory. The movie was poorly received by both critics and audiences, and to this day, many believe that it is the pique of "wokeness" that managed to ruin one of the greatest romantic novels to ever exist.
The one thing you should know before approaching Persuasion for a good time is that it will be nothing like the beloved novel. Anyone who comes looking for the shy and introverted Anne Elliot will be sorely disappointed, as the modernization has completely ruined the original character.
However, if you're interested in a period drama with a vibrant and upbeat approach, like Netflix's Bridgerton or Apple TV Plus' The Buccaneers, you might enjoy Dakota Johnson's character even more than the original. In the best traditions of modern female-led stories, she is sarcastic and feisty, and the actress is very good at portraying just that.
While the movie has an insanely low critics' rating of 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, the audience is much more divided, rating the movie at 73%. Depending on one's love of Jane Austen, the reviews range from "the worst movie ever made" to "a fun costume movie for a movie night".
If you want to make up your own mind about how Netflix has handled one of the most popular romantic novels of all time, Persuasion is always available for streaming.