Margot Robbie’s Forgotten Flop Amsterdam Finds New Life on Streaming: A Deep Dive into Her 2022 Setback

In the world of Hollywood, even the brightest stars sometimes falter. In 2022, Margot Robbie, one of the most in-demand actors of her generation, faced an unexpected career hiccup. That year, she starred in two high-profile period dramas — both loaded with A-list casts and Oscar-winning directors. Both films bombed spectacularly. While Babylon has started to gain a cult following, the other, David O. Russell’s Amsterdam, virtually vanished from the public consciousness — until now.

In a surprising twist, Amsterdam has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity on streaming, particularly on Netflix, where viewers are revisiting or discovering the film for the first time. But does this late interest mark a form of redemption for a movie — and a performance — that were so widely overlooked?

Let’s take a closer look at what went wrong, what’s changed, and how Margot Robbie continues to prove that even career setbacks can be temporary in Hollywood.

The Rise and Stumble: Margot Robbie in 2022

Before we talk about Amsterdam, it’s important to understand where Margot Robbie was in her career at the time. Coming off powerhouse performances in films like I, Tonya, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Bombshell, Robbie had solidified her position as one of the most talented and versatile actresses in the industry. She was also building a reputation as a smart producer through her company, LuckyChap Entertainment.

In 2022, it seemed like Robbie was ready to take her career to the next level. She signed on for two ambitious period dramas: Damien Chazelle’s Babylon and David O. Russell’s Amsterdam. Both films had star-studded casts, lavish production values, and Oscar pedigree. But instead of critical acclaim and box office success, what followed was a year of financial disappointment.

Amsterdam: An All-Star Misfire

On paper, Amsterdam had everything going for it. The film was written and directed by David O. Russell, best known for hits like Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, and The Fighter. The cast was nothing short of spectacular: Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Rami Malek, Robert De Niro, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Rock, Taylor Swift, and many more.

Set in the aftermath of World War I, Amsterdam tells the story of a doctor (Bale), a nurse (Robbie), and a lawyer (Washington) who form an unbreakable bond in Europe, only to find themselves embroiled in a dark political conspiracy years later in the United States.

Despite its compelling premise and big-name talent, the movie failed to find its footing. Released in October 2022, Amsterdam grossed only $31 million worldwide against a production budget of around $80 million — with additional marketing costs likely pushing total losses to over $100 million.

Critics were harsh, with the film receiving a 29% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Many described it as confusing, overwritten, and tonally inconsistent. Audiences largely ignored it, and unlike some flops that grow in appreciation over time, Amsterdam quickly disappeared from theaters and conversation.

Robbie’s Role: A Bright Spot in a Flawed Film?

While the film as a whole was widely panned, Margot Robbie’s performance as Valerie Voze — a mysterious nurse with an artistic soul and political edge — stood out to some viewers. Her chemistry with Christian Bale and John David Washington helped ground the film emotionally, even as the plot meandered.

Valerie is a quintessential Robbie character: eccentric, bold, and emotionally rich. But despite her best efforts, not even Robbie could rescue the film from its own structural problems. At the time, it was seen by some as a rare misstep in her otherwise impressive filmography.

Yet, in hindsight, her performance may have been overlooked due to the film’s overall reception. With the recent streaming resurgence, many viewers are rediscovering what Robbie brought to the role — subtlety, charisma, and just the right touch of surreal energy.

From Failure to Phenomenon: The Barbie Effect

Just months after the twin disappointments of Amsterdam and Babylon, Margot Robbie made the ultimate comeback.

In July 2023, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie was released — and it became an instant cultural phenomenon. The film grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing movie ever directed by a woman and one of the top films of the decade.

More importantly, Barbie reasserted Robbie’s star power and creative instincts. She wasn’t just the face of the movie; she was its producer and one of the key forces behind its greenlight. The success of Barbie turned what could have been a career dip into a powerful reminder of her resilience and vision.

And yet, the failure of Amsterdam remains a fascinating chapter — not just in Robbie’s career, but in how modern audiences consume and reassess films over time.

Why Is Amsterdam Trending Now?

In late 2024 and into 2025, Amsterdam began quietly trending on Netflix, especially in regions like the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Clips circulated on TikTok and Instagram, showcasing its quirky aesthetic and ensemble moments. Some users were drawn to the visual style, others curious about the large cast.

More importantly, many viewers approached the film with lower expectations, divorced from the intense Oscar buzz and high box office hopes of 2022. Viewed now as a quirky, flawed but ambitious oddity, Amsterdam is being appreciated in a different light.

And this is where Margot Robbie’s performance is getting a second chance. In streaming reviews and fan posts, Robbie’s portrayal of Valerie is often highlighted as one of the few consistent strengths of the movie. Fans are calling her “mesmerizing,” “underrated,” and even “the heart of the story.”

Can a Flop Be Redeemed?

The case of Amsterdam raises an interesting question: Can a box office failure find new life through streaming?

In the age of digital content, the answer increasingly seems to be yes. Films like Blade Runner, The Assassination of Jesse James, and The Fountain were all considered flops on release, only to become beloved cult classics years later. Amsterdam may not reach that level, but its recent surge in interest shows that audiences are willing to reevaluate.

And for Margot Robbie, the rediscovery of Amsterdam does more than just revive an old project. It helps recontextualize a difficult year in her career — one that included bold risks, artistic ambition, and a willingness to challenge herself even when the outcome wasn’t guaranteed.

Final Thoughts

In 2022, Margot Robbie experienced one of the rare setbacks in her otherwise meteoric career. Amsterdam, with its massive cast and promising premise, failed both critically and commercially. It was a moment that could have shaken any actor — but Robbie took it in stride, and within months, delivered one of the most successful and talked-about films in modern history with Barbie.

Now, as Amsterdam finds a second wind on streaming platforms like Netflix, it serves as a reminder that not all failures are permanent. Some just need time, context, and curiosity to be appreciated.

For fans of Margot Robbie, Amsterdam might not be her finest work — but it’s still worth watching. If only to see how even in the most troubled projects, her brilliance still finds a way to shine through.