Eddie Murphy’s edgy new film is a big hit

Eddie Murphy stars in You People which is now the top streaming choice on Netflix.

With Chad Langen
| Post it 2 hours ago

It’s been nearly two years since Eddie Murphy graced our screens, but he doesn’t seem to have missed a beat. The Oscar-nominated actor’s last film You people currently dominating streaming charts. According Flix Patrolthe romantic comedy is the #1 movie Netflix.

Co-written and directed by Kenya Barris (Blash-ish, Grown-ish), You people centers on an interracial couple and how their families figure out modern love amid cultural clashes, societal expectations, and generational differences. The cast is absolutely packed with A-list talent. In addition to Eddie Murphy, the film stars Jonah Hill, Lauren London, David Duchovny, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sam Jay, Deon Cole, Travis Bennett and Molly Gordon.

The film was announced in June 2021, with Jonah Hill as the lead and Kenya Barris as the director. Eddie Murphy joined the cast in August of that year, and by November, the casting process was almost complete. You people was released in select theaters by Netflix on January 20, 2023, ahead of its January 27 premiere on the streaming service.

Jonah Hill has been heavily involved with the project since its conception, having co-written the script with Kenya Barriss. Although the shooting of the film seemed to be going smoothly, the 39-year-old actor was noticeably absent from the press campaigns for the film. Of course, his lack of media appearances to promote the film wasn’t unexpected, announcing in a social media post last August that he wouldn’t be doing any press for any of his upcoming projects.

During the filming of the documentary StrutzThe Moneyball star realized that he has spent almost two decades suffering from anxiety attacks which are often triggered by media appearances. Jonah Hill has chosen to withdraw from the promotion You people and all his future works in an attempt to protect himself. Luckily, fellow cast members Lauren London, Eddie Murphy and Julia Louis-Dreyfus seemed to support the actor’s decision.

Speaking of his cast You people, critics have garnered praise for their fine performances in the film. Unfortunately, on the whole, the film didn’t seem to land with the viewers. The feature has been criticized for its corny jokes and messy story.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a score of 43 percent from 92 critics’ reviews. Among daily viewers, it has a rating of 39 percent. According to Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune, without Eddie Murphy and his “dead, steely responses to the latest insult, You people it would be all pressure and little gain.”

However, negative reviews haven’t kept the film from reaching the top of Netflix’s most streamed movies. You people it is currently ahead of high-profile films such as Minions: The Rise of Guru, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mysteryand Bullet Train. Of course, with several new titles coming to the streamer on February 1st^Stthe film’s time at #1 may be short-lived.

With that said, Eddie Murphy is set to return as Axel Foley in its long-awaited fourth installment Beverly Hills Cop franchise, which is also being developed as a Netflix exclusive. While story details are scarce at the moment, anticipation for the sequel is at an all-time high. Directed by Mark Molloy from a script by Josh Appelbaum, Will Beall and Andre Nemec, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley is scheduled to premiere later this year.