When The Hustle premiered in 2019, it arrived with excessive expectations. Boasting the comedic skills of powerhouses Anne Hathaway and Insurgent Wilson, the movie appeared poised for achievement. Nevertheless, upon its launch, it was met with overwhelmingly destructive opinions, incomes a mere 13% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a lukewarm 44% viewers score. These numbers signaled a transparent vital and industrial disappointment on the time. Nevertheless, regardless of this preliminary reception, The Hustle has seen a stunning resurgence in reputation.
Greater than six years after its launch, the movie has reemerged on Prime Video’s record of Prime 10 most-watched movies in the US. This sudden return to the highlight has prompted renewed curiosity in what precisely attracts viewers to a movie so extensively dismissed by critics. Set towards the picturesque backdrop of the French Riviera, The Hustle follows two mismatched con artists, Hathaway’s refined however crafty Josephine Chesterfield and Wilson’s brash however street-smart Penny Rust, as they scheme their means by way of a high-stakes swindle.
How Is ‘The Hustle’ Dominating Charts Regardless of Its Scores?
The Hustle
- Launch Date
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Might 10, 2019
- Runtime
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94 minutes
- Director
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Chris Addison
- Writers
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Stanley Shapiro, Jac Schaeffer, Dale Launer, Paul Henning
Prime Video’s algorithms and viewer habits typically drive stunning hits, and The Hustle isn’t any exception. As of July 23, 2025, the movie stays firmly located in Prime’s Prime 10 films within the U.S. Whereas many could take into account this a one-off incidence, The Hustle‘s place is indicative of a constant streaming behavior that viewers appear locked into. With darker, extra intense, drama-filled titles typically taking middle stage as of late, The Hustle gives a light-hearted escapism that viewers crave.
The presence of Hathaway and Wilson acts like a beacon, propelling viewers who’re scrolling by way of Prime to cease and take discover when two comedic powerhouses are entrance and middle. The movie’s breezy, sun-soaked French Riviera setting additionally gives escapism at its most interesting, offering audiences with a relaxing, easy-going surroundings to tune into. Furthermore, the movie has a runtime of a compact 94 minutes, making it a straightforward weekend choose for somebody who shouldn’t be within the temper for a heavy, drama-filled dedication.
What Do Viewers Truly Like About ‘The Hustle’?
Regardless of the vital backlash, the movie’s spot on charts signifies that audiences have discovered one thing undeniably interesting about The Hustle. On Rotten Tomatoes, opinions stay blended. But, many admit they did chortle greater than anticipated, with others appreciating the light-hearted tone as consolation viewing, one thing that Warner Bros. could not have banked on. As critic Sarah Ksiazek writes:
“Whereas I cannot say it’s not one of the best comedy of the 12 months, the comedic prowess of Insurgent Wilson and Anne Hathaway is prime notch, and it’s a movie that each women and men will get pleasure from.”
Viewers have additionally discovered that the dynamic between Hathaway’s and Wilson’s characters performs out like a female-centric twist on basic con-flicks. The high-class grifter Josephine, who’s extra elegant and calculated, clashed with the energetic wild-card Penny, fueling a yin-yang vitality that, for a lot of, makes the film work by itself phrases even when the jokes are inclined to fall considerably flat.
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The film additionally alludes to the facility of responsible pleasure. In an period dominated by status TV and bleak streaming dramas, The Hustle reminds audiences that it’s okay to get pleasure from foolish fluff. The movie is brilliant, quick, and secure, with a assure of a healthful ending. Surprisingly, there’s additionally solace in collectively acknowledging The Hustle‘s flaws. The movie could also be dangerous, however when there’s a sense of shared joke, this additionally turns into its personal component of leisure.
May ‘The Hustle’s Shortcomings Be Fueling Its Recognition?
There’s a whole cinematic subculture dedicated to films which are presupposed to be dangerous. Many cult classics and midnight screenings fall inside this tradition. The Hustle could not have been aiming to take a seat on this class, nevertheless it has actually landed there. The expertise of sharing sheepish laughter over groan-worthy strains fuels communal viewing, particularly on-line. Clips of awkward banter or cringe-worthy cons have a tendency to seek out reputation on social media, drawing in viewers who’re curious to know if the movie is definitely as dangerous as it’s painted to be.
Furthermore, though seldom spoken about, second-hand embarrassment is an impact that may be addictive. The Hustle, with its brilliant, breezy aesthetic paired with nightclub cons and tech-billionaire swindles, delivers this impact in spades. As soon as audiences drop in anticipating pomp and con, they keep for the spectacle, nevertheless dangerous it might be.
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Within the age of streaming, vital scoring methods usually are not at all times every part, and The Hustle stands as a chief instance of this. Regardless of being Anne Hathaway and Insurgent Wilson’s worst film and having a 13% mauler on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie nonetheless managed to climb into Prime Video’s Prime 10 Listing in July 2025. The movie thrives on escapism, acquainted star presence, and the guilty-pleasure enchantment of a so-bad-it’s-good movie. Additionally it is a reminder for leisure writers to look previous scores and deal with why viewers is perhaps clicking play on a movie that has lengthy been solid apart as a failure.
The Hustle is accessible to stream on Prime Video.