As production gears up for the highly anticipated fourth season of Taylor Sheridan's hit series Tulsa King, starring Sylvester Stallone and Frank Grillo, one of its stars is enjoying a separate streaming victory. Grillo's 2019 action thriller Black and Blue, which initially flew under the radar at the box office, has roared back to relevance, securing a spot in the top ten most-watched movies on the free streaming service Tubi this March.
The film, which also stars Naomie Harris and Tyrese Gibson, tells a tense story of police corruption in New Orleans. Harris plays a rookie officer who accidentally records the murder of a drug dealer by corrupt cops on her body camera. Forced to go on the run, she must team up with a reluctant ally from the community to survive both the criminals seeking revenge and the officers desperate to destroy the evidence.
From Box Office Underperformer to Streaming Sleeper Hit
Upon its original release, Black and Blue was considered a modest performer. It opened to $8 million domestically and ultimately grossed $22.7 million worldwide against a $12 million budget. Industry chatter at the time suggested audience fatigue with the action-thriller genre contributed to its lukewarm reception. However, the passage of time has been kind, and the film is now being discovered by a whole new audience on Tubi, proving some stories just need the right platform to connect.
This kind of streaming resurgence is becoming a common tale. Just like Bradley Cooper's forgotten thriller 'Case 39' found massive success on Tubi, or how 'Memory of a Killer' became a Hulu sleeper hit, Black and Blue demonstrates the enduring appeal of a well-crafted genre film.
How Did Critics and Audiences React?
The critical reception for Black and Blue was mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 49% critics' score, with the consensus praising Naomie Harris's "central performance" while noting the film's "simplistic treatment of topical themes." However, the audience tells a very different story. Moviegoers awarded the film a stellar 93% audience score, highlighting a significant disconnect between professional reviewers and the viewing public—a gap that its current streaming popularity seems to bridge.
This pattern of a film finding its true audience years later aligns with other overlooked thrillers that get better with age. For fans of relentless pacing, it also fits right in with action series where every episode is essential.
The resurgence of Black and Blue comes at a perfect time for Frank Grillo's career momentum. With Tulsa King preparing to shoot its next chapter and a Samuel L. Jackson-led spin-off in the works, Grillo remains a prominent figure in the action landscape. The renewed interest in his past work adds another layer to his filmography as audiences catch up on projects they may have missed.
Black and Blue is currently available to stream for free on Tubi. For more streaming stories and hidden gems finding a second life, stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot.
