Nowadays, new mother Margot Robbie is an undisputed film star who can’t solely headline a significant blockbuster however can produce billion-dollar juggernauts like Barbie and immediately draw audiences to theaters. But it surely wasn’t too way back that she was nonetheless proving herself in Hollywood. Again in 2015, earlier than she grew to become a family title, the Harley Quinn performer starred within the trendy crime thriller Focus, and gave us an early have a look at the charisma and expertise that might quickly make her a worldwide sensation. Now, one of many finest streaming providers has added Focus to its lineup, providing film lovers the proper likelihood to (re)uncover certainly one of Robbie’s first massive roles. All you want is a Netflix subscription.
Per Tom’s Information’s reporting, Focus was added to the streamer on November 10. The flick casts Robbie as Jess Barrett, a rookie con artist who meets veteran thief Nicky Spurgeon (Will Smith) in an upscale restaurant by means of a layered alternate of deception. Whereas Nicky initially resists taking Jess underneath his wing, he’s drawn to her tenacity and uncooked expertise.
What follows is a twisty journey that blends romance with the artwork of the con, as Jess and Nicky blur the strains between love and manipulation. Their chemistry sizzles, including depth and intrigue to each encounter, whether or not executing a high-stakes heist or sharing a quiet second. The Amsterdam star’s portrayal of Jess captures her character’s mixture of innocence and crafty, all whereas hinting on the star energy she’d quickly unleash in roles like Babylon and Suicide Squad.
Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, Focus is smooth and visually fascinating, making it one of many finest thrillers on Netflix, with sharp dialogue and trendy settings. The movie travels from New Orleans to Buenos Aires, the place Ficarra and Requa fill the display screen with colourful backdrops and gorgeous costumes (who might neglect Robbie’s unforgettable entrance in that crimson costume?). The twists are intelligent, however the true spotlight is watching the I, Tonya star and Smith as two stunning, complicated characters who cannot fairly resolve in the event that they’re one another’s finest ally or worst distraction.
Though Focus wasn’t an enormous hit when it was first launched, it now appears like a hidden gem from the final decade—an old-school caper with a contemporary aptitude. With the movie now streaming, it’s an excellent time for audiences to revisit this underrated thriller or give it a primary watch.
So, if you happen to’re searching for a horny, trendy film evening, head to Netflix and take a look at Focus—the Australia-born mega star’s first style of leading-lady stardom and a reminder of why she grew to become certainly one of Hollywood’s most magnetic stars.
As for Margot Robbie’s subsequent cinematic outing, she is about to affix an upcoming book-to-screen adaptation of Wuthering Heights, Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn follow-up–which some of us have combined emotions about, however frankly, I’m of the thoughts she will do no incorrect.
For these searching for a more moderen film from the Birds of Prey star’s filmography, you possibly can stream Barbie with a Max subscription. You too can try our 2025 film schedule to see what else the Babylon star has on the horizon.