Margot Robbie Perplexed by ‘Babylon‘ Flop Two Years Later
Two years after its release, the sensational, star-studded Hollywood epic “Babylon” continues to puzzle its leading lady, Margot Robbie. Despite garnering privileged access to the film’s journey from script to screen, the Oscar-nominated actress remains bewildered by its lukewarm reception and underwhelming box office performance.
“I still can’t figure it out,” Robbie confessed in a recent interview. “It’s absolutely, genuinely shocking to me that it didn’t work the way we all thought it would. I loved making it, and I really, truly believe it’s a great film.”
“Babylon,” directed by Damien Chazelle, took audiences on a raucous and surreal ride through the debauchery and glitz of 1920s Hollywood. Robbie, known for her captivating screen presence, played the ambitious and charismatic Nellie LaRoy, a fictional composite of real-life silent film stars fascinated by the burgeoning movie industry. Despite positive reviews from some critics and a rare 57% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film failed to capture wide audience interest.
Robbie readily admits to being “biased” toward “Babylon,” acknowledging the potential for a skewed perspective.
“I’m not unbiased in any way,” she explained. “I was attached to the film for years before it was made. We all had such an intense and passionate experience creating it. We all really poured our hearts and souls into it.”
A Deeper Connection to the Film
Robbie had a unique vantage point when it came to “Babylon’s” journey, having spent years immersed in its story and process. As a producer on the film, she was instrumental in shaping its pre-production phase, further intertwining her personal investment with the project.
She expressed wonder at the unpredictable nature of audience responses, even with years of experience in the entertainment industry.
“It’s very strange,” Robbie admitted. “You never know how something will be received. As much as you may love something, there’s always a chance that it won’t resonate with everyone the same way you do,”
Adding to the mystery, Robbie thoughtfully contemplates whether “Babylon” might find its true fan base down the line.
“I wonder if in 20 years people will be shocked it bombed,” she mused.
“Babylon,” a story of ambition, excess, and the transformative power of cinema, was a project that resonated deeply with Robbie, both personally and professionally.
Though the film’s commercial performance may have fallen short of expectations, Robbie retains a profound fondness for her work on the movie, a testament to her ongoing fascination with its ambitious scope and audacious vision.
How did Margot Robbie’s performance as Nellie LaRoy influence the audience’s perception of the film’s shortcomings?
## Hollywood Enigma: Margot Robbie Still Can’t Crack the “Babylon” Code
**[HOST]** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re joined by film critic and entertainment analyst, Alex Jones, to discuss the ongoing conversation surrounding “Babylon,” Damien Chazelle’s ambitious Hollywood epic.
Margot Robbie, who starred as the captivating Nellie LaRoy, recently expressed her confusion over the film’s lukewarm reception two years after its release. Alex, what are your thoughts on Robbie’s comments?
**[ALEX]** It’s fascinating, isn’t it? Robbie’s bewilderment is understandable. ”Babylon” had all the ingredients for success: a stellar cast, a visionary director, and a juicy premise exploring Hollywood’s transition to sound films. Yet, it failed to resonate with audiences in the way many expected.
**[HOST]** Some critics praised the film’s ambition and technical prowess, while others criticized its pacing and narrative focus. Do you think these factors contributed to its underwhelming performance?
**[ALEX]** Absolutely. “Babylon,” while visually stunning [1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_(2022_film)), is a sprawling, sometimes chaotic film. Its excess, both thematically and narratively, could have alienated some viewers. Audiences looking for a traditional Hollywood story might have found it jarring.
**[HOST]** And Robbie’s character, Nellie LaRoy, was a particularly compelling figure.
**[ALEX]** Precisely. Robbie’s performance was widely lauded. She brought a raw intensity and vulnerability to Nellie, capturing the ambition and desperation of a rising star navigating a cutthroat industry. However, even her powerhouse performance couldn’t entirely save the film from its narrative shortcomings.
**[HOST]** It seems “Babylon” will continue to be a subject of debate and discussion. Robbie’s continued bewilderment only adds to the enigma surrounding this complex and ambitious film.
**[ALEX]** Indeed. It serves as a reminder that even with big budgets, A-list talent, and a visionary director, capturing the zeitgeist and connecting with audiences can be a truly unpredictable art.
