Criticized, Mocked, and Ignored — But Margot Robbie Always Gets the Last Word

In Hollywood, failure can be unforgiving. A box office bomb, a critical flop, or even a single misstep can tarnish reputations — especially for women in the industry. But Margot Robbie, one of the most recognizable faces of her generation, has not only survived her failures — she has transformed them into fuel for a bigger, bolder comeback.

Over the years, Robbie has faced sharp criticism and underwhelming receptions for some of her most ambitious projects, including Terminal (2018), Amsterdam (2022), and Babylon (2022). Each of these films came with high expectations and were framed as potential career-defining roles. Yet all three fell flat commercially and critically.

Still, Robbie’s star continued to rise.

This article examines how Margot Robbie’s career reflects a rare kind of resilience — one where failure doesn’t mean fading away, but rather evolving, recalibrating, and emerging stronger.

The First Major Misstep: Terminal (2018)

After her Oscar-nominated performance in I, Tonya, Margot Robbie had the world’s attention. So when she took on the dual role of lead actress and producer for Terminal, expectations were high. The film was an ultra-stylized neo-noir thriller where Robbie played Annie, a mysterious femme fatale entangled in a twisted revenge plot.

Despite a visually arresting aesthetic and Robbie’s full-throttle performance, Terminal bombed — both critically and financially. It holds a 20% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and its limited release barely made a dent at the box office.

Critics slammed the film for being all style and no substance. Some even suggested Robbie had overreached by trying to carry such an avant-garde project so early in her producing career. The movie was dismissed as a vanity project, and the backlash could have easily slowed her momentum.

But Robbie didn’t flinch. Instead of retreating, she doubled down on her ambition as a producer and storyteller — signaling that she wasn’t afraid to take risks, even if they didn’t always land.

2022: A Double Blow – Amsterdam and Babylon

The year 2022 was supposed to be a crowning moment in Robbie’s career — a year where she worked with Oscar-winning directors, took center stage in lavish period dramas, and cemented her range as an actress. Instead, it became her most publicly difficult professional year to date.

Amsterdam (2022)

Directed by David O. Russell, Amsterdam boasted a glittering cast: Christian Bale, John David Washington, Robert De Niro, Rami Malek, and Taylor Swift. Robbie played Valerie Voze, an enigmatic nurse with a surrealist streak, in what was marketed as a quirky political mystery-comedy.

Despite all the talent involved, Amsterdam was a critical and commercial disaster. It grossed just over $31 million globally against an $80 million budget. Critics were brutal, calling the film “confusing,” “bloated,” and “directionless.” Robbie’s performance was largely overshadowed by the film’s chaotic tone and overstuffed plot.

Babylon (2022)

Then came Babylon, directed by Damien Chazelle, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind La La Land. In this extravagant, R-rated epic set during Hollywood’s transition from silent film to talkies, Robbie starred as Nellie LaRoy, a wild, reckless starlet with a burning desire for fame.

Once again, expectations were sky-high — and once again, the film faltered. Despite its ambitious scope and bold direction, Babylon underperformed at the box office and sharply divided critics. Many praised Robbie’s raw, unhinged portrayal of Nellie, but others found the film exhausting and over-indulgent. It was nominated for a few technical Oscars but failed to resonate with mainstream audiences.

For Robbie, this double failure could have led to a narrative of overexposure or poor decision-making. Some even began to question whether she was losing her box office draw.

The Reinvention: Barbie (2023) – From Criticism to Cultural Phenomenon

Then came Barbie — the film that redefined Margot Robbie’s legacy.

After two back-to-back flops, Robbie returned not just as the star, but also as the driving force behind one of the most successful and talked-about films in modern cinema. Collaborating with director Greta Gerwig, Robbie produced and starred in Barbie, which flipped all expectations on their heads.

What could have been a shallow toy commercial turned out to be a subversive, sharply written, and culturally explosive film. Barbie made over $1.4 billion globally, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2023 and breaking records for a female-led and female-directed production.

Critics lauded Robbie for her nuanced portrayal of Barbie — both the icon and the existential character. She was funny, vulnerable, self-aware, and utterly magnetic. For many, Barbie was not just a film; it was a reclamation of narrative — for the character, and for Robbie herself.

In interviews, Robbie acknowledged the risk of Barbie. She knew people would be skeptical. But as she had done with I, Tonya and Birds of Prey, she trusted her instincts — and it paid off bigger than anyone imagined.

Why Margot Robbie’s Failures Didn’t Sink Her

So, why has Margot Robbie been able to weather such high-profile failures and still emerge as one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood?

1. She Owns Her Projects

Robbie doesn’t just act — she produces. Through LuckyChap Entertainment, she has creative control over the stories she tells. This gives her the freedom to take bold swings and the resilience to survive when they don’t hit.

2. She Chooses Bold, Not Safe

Robbie’s filmography is filled with risk: Terminal was a surreal noir thriller; Babylon was an epic Hollywood fever dream; Barbie was a genre-defying satire. She consistently avoids safe, formulaic roles in favor of complicated, ambitious projects, even if they come with backlash.

3. She Learns and Evolves

Instead of repeating mistakes, Robbie appears to analyze and adapt. With each new role or project, her storytelling becomes sharper, her choices more strategic. She surrounds herself with visionary directors, strong writers, and collaborators who align with her long-term vision.

4. The Audience Roots for Her

There’s something about Margot Robbie that keeps people invested, even when a film fails. It’s her transparency, her work ethic, her refusal to be defined by one character or one moment. She doesn’t rely on controversy or personal drama; she lets the work — win or lose — speak for itself.

Conclusion: Failure as Fuel

In an industry where women are often punished more harshly for failure, Margot Robbie has turned criticism into momentum. Her ability to survive — and thrive — after Terminal, Amsterdam, and Babylon is not a stroke of luck. It’s the result of vision, resilience, and a deep belief in her own voice as an artist and producer.

Failure hasn’t derailed her — it has defined her.

From the ashes of box office bombs, Robbie has built a platform not only for herself but for a new generation of storytellers. If Barbie was her triumph, it was only possible because she first dared to fail.

And that may be Margot Robbie’s greatest strength of all.