Russell Crowe’s ‘Unhinged’ Surges on Tubi, Gripping New Viewers

Russell Crowe’s 2020 action thriller ‘Unhinged’ is making a surprising comeback, landing in the Top 10 most-watched free movies on Tubi. The film, which features Crowe in a rare villainous role, is finding new life as viewers rediscover his gripping performance. Released during the height of the pandemic, ‘Unhinged’ was largely overlooked at the box office, but its recent streaming success is putting it back in the spotlight.

When ‘Unhinged’ hit theaters in August 2020, it was one of the first major films to brave a theatrical release while most cinemas were still shuttered. Solstice Studios took a gamble, choosing to debut the movie on the big screen while other studios delayed their projects or sent them straight to streaming. Despite the challenging circumstances, the film managed to earn $44 million worldwide on a $33 million budget. Critics, however, were less than impressed, giving it a 48% rating on the Tomatometer. While Crowe’s intense performance drew praise, the film’s story and supporting cast didn’t fare as well. Variety called it

“a pulpy genre exercise that is, at times, too brutal for its own good,”

and The Hollywood Reporter noted Crowe’s chilling presence but criticized the

“thin”

plot. Still, audiences saw things differently, with a 77% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, showing a clear split between critics and moviegoers.

Road Rage and Relentless Action

‘Unhinged’ delivers a relentless cat-and-mouse chase, with Crowe portraying Tom Cooper, a man whose simmering anger explodes after a tense encounter with single mom Rachel, played by Caren Pistorius. What begins as a minor traffic dispute quickly spirals into a terrifying ordeal, as Cooper’s obsession turns deadly and Rachel is forced to fight for her life. The film’s raw energy and escalating tension have struck a nerve with viewers, especially those drawn to high-stakes action reminiscent of Jason Statham or Tom Cruise movies.

Since arriving on Tubi, the movie has found a fresh audience eager for adrenaline-fueled stories. Despite its mixed reviews, the film’s unflinching look at everyday rage and its consequences has made it a standout among the platform’s action offerings.

Reflecting Real-World Fears

What makes ‘Unhinged’ especially unsettling is how close it hits to home. The story taps into real-life fears about road rage, echoing incidents that often go viral on social media. Crowe’s portrayal of a man pushed over the edge feels disturbingly plausible, blurring the line between action and horror. His performance as a man consumed by a petty grudge adds a layer of realism that lingers long after the credits roll.

For many viewers, the film serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a simple mistake on the road can spiral out of control. ‘Unhinged’ doesn’t just entertain—it leaves audiences thinking twice about their own reactions behind the wheel.