Edge of Tomorrow: Tom Cruise’s Sci-Fi Action Hit Finds New Life on Netflix
A Decade Later, Edge of Tomorrow Climbs Netflix Charts
Tom Cruise’s acclaimed action film, Edge of Tomorrow, has found renewed popularity, appearing on Netflix’s global chart a decade after its initial release. Directed by Doug Liman and featuring a script co-written by Christopher McQuarrie, known for his work on the Mission: Impossible series, this 2014 sci-fi thriller draws inspiration from Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s novel All You Need Is Kill. The movie follows a public relations officer, played by Cruise, who, despite lacking combat experience, is thrust into a pivotal military operation against alien forces in Europe. Trapped in a time loop, he is forced to relive the same day repeatedly.
Joining Cruise, Emily Blunt stars as a formidable warrior, with supporting performances by Bill Paxton and Brendan Gleeson. Recently, Edge of Tomorrow has captured viewers’ attention on Netflix, ranking seventh on the platform’s Global Top 10 list for the week of September 9-15. With 4.1 million views and 7.7 million hours watched, it sits just below The Day After Tomorrow and above The Union, The Shack, and Gemini Man.
Why Edge of Tomorrow Stands Out in Tom Cruise’s Filmography
A Blend of Innovation and Thrilling Action
Known for his daring stunts and action-packed roles, Tom Cruise shines in Edge of Tomorrow, which stands as one of his finest contributions to the genre. Critics have lauded the film for its thrilling narrative, strong performances, and clever humor. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an impressive 91% critic score and a 90% audience score, marking it as one of Cruise’s most critically acclaimed action films, outside of the Mission: Impossible series and Top Gun: Maverick.
14 Best Tom Cruise Action Movies (That Aren't Mission Impossible), Ranked
Released at a pivotal point in Cruise’s career, Edge of Tomorrow helped reaffirm his status as a leading action star. Following less successful films like Knight and Day and Oblivion, this movie showcased Cruise’s ability to headline a blockbuster, grossing over $370 million worldwide. This financial success places it among his highest-grossing films outside his notable franchises.
Delving Deeper: The Appeal of Edge of Tomorrow
A Character Arc That Resonates
While many of Tom Cruise’s films deliver high-octane thrills, Edge of Tomorrow offers a unique blend of action and narrative depth. The movie’s innovative time-loop premise, reminiscent of films like Groundhog Day and Source Code, challenges Cruise to step beyond his usual heroic archetype. Set amidst a futuristic battle against alien invaders, Cruise’s character—a hesitant and inexperienced soldier—must repeatedly experience the same day. This loop compels him to evolve from a coward into a seasoned hero, providing both exhilarating action sequences and substantial character growth.
Source: Netflix
Edge of Tomorrow
- Sci-Fi
- Action
- Thriller
- Adventure
Based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka's novel All You Need is Kill, Edge of Tomorrow follows Major William Cage (Tom Cruise), who finds himself drafted into humanity's ongoing war against a seemingly unstoppable race of hostile aliens called Mimics. Cage is killed in combat, but wakes in a time loop, reliving the same battle day after day. Gradually, he realizes that if he teams up with the decorated war hero Sergeant Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), he can exploit the time loop to defeat the Mimic army and save the human race.
