Robert Pattinson Outsmarts Denzel Washington? Netflix Drops $35M on Bold New Heist Thriller

Netflix is no stranger to high-stakes gambles, but its latest bet is one of the boldest yet. In a move that’s already sparking industry chatter, the streaming giant is shelling out a staggering $35 million to secure Academy Award winner Denzel Washington for its upcoming original film, Here Comes the Flood. And that’s not all—the project also ropes in rising star Daisy Edgar-Jones and certified box office wild card Robert Pattinson, whose offbeat career choices continue to defy every industry playbook.

Billed as an “unconventional heist movie” tangled in deception, betrayal, and psychological warfare, Here Comes the Flood could either become Netflix’s next global obsession—or its most overhyped disaster of the year.

What makes this project so volatile? Let’s break down the high drama, the internet’s divided reaction, and why this seemingly straightforward heist thriller is quietly becoming Hollywood’s most polarizing movie of 2025.

Denzel Washington Cashes In—But at What Cost?

Let’s start with the number that’s dominating headlines: $35 million. That’s the rumored paycheck Denzel Washington is receiving to join the film. Even by Hollywood’s inflated standards, that figure has turned heads—and raised eyebrows. Why is Netflix handing over such a massive check for a movie that isn’t a guaranteed franchise, reboot, or sequel?

According to insiders, Denzel is expected to bring both gravitas and global appeal to the film. As a two-time Oscar winner, he’s considered one of the last true “movie stars”—a name that still commands attention on its own. But in a plot twist worthy of the movie itself, early reports suggest he may not even be the film’s central figure.

Instead, buzz is building around Robert Pattinson, who plays a mysterious, manipulative con artist at the heart of a spiraling triple-cross. The idea that Denzel Washington might play second fiddle in a film where Pattinson pulls the strings has fans divided—and furious.

“Denzel didn’t win Oscars to play sidekick to Edward Cullen,” one viral comment on X read.

Robert Pattinson: Hero or Villain?

Robert Pattinson, once dismissed as a teen heartthrob, has carved out a reputation for making unpredictable, cerebral choices—often in gritty, unsettling films that stretch the boundaries of genre. From The Lighthouse to Tenet, Pattinson has leaned into roles that are more psychological puzzle than Hollywood polish.

In Here Comes the Flood, sources say Pattinson’s character is a charismatic grifter, orchestrating a multi-layered scheme that ensnares Washington’s character and plays with the audience’s perception of who’s really in control.

The internet, of course, is eating it up.

“It’s Pattinson’s world now—Denzel just lives in it,” a viral TikTok caption declared.

But not everyone’s convinced. Fans of Denzel have been quick to defend the actor’s legacy, accusing Netflix of “star-washing” the narrative to boost Gen Z engagement.

The comment sections are on fire.

“$35 million for Denzel to get played like a fool? Netflix has lost its mind.”
“Pattinson stans need to calm down. He’s no match for Denzel. Period.”

Daisy Edgar-Jones: The Unexpected Wild Card

Amid the testosterone-fueled hype, Daisy Edgar-Jones brings an unpredictable energy to the mix. Best known for Normal People and Where the Crawdads Sing, Edgar-Jones is being positioned as the film’s emotional X-factor—a character caught between loyalty, greed, and survival.

Insiders hint that her role could serve as a twist engine in the film—a character who might not be as innocent as she appears. Could she be playing both sides? Is she part of the long con or just another pawn in someone else’s scheme?

The ambiguity has fans theorizing nonstop.  “Watch Daisy be the real mastermind. That would blow everything up,” one Reddit thread speculated.

And that’s exactly what Netflix seems to be banking on.

Heist Movie—or Psychological Trap?

Netflix describes Here Comes the Flood as a “non-traditional heist film” loaded with mind games, double-crosses, and a “deadly triangle” of manipulation. That language alone signals this won’t be another Ocean’s Eleven or Money Heist clone.

The story reportedly centers around three characters—Pattinson, Washington, and Edgar-Jones—who are each running their own separate cons, all while pretending to cooperate in a single high-stakes robbery. What starts as a planned theft turns into a battle of wits, betrayal, and shifting alliances.

In other words, this is not your dad’s heist movie.

Fans Are Already Taking Sides

Long before its release, Here Comes the Flood has already split audiences into tribal factions.

Pattinson fans see it as another smart career move—proof that he can go toe-to-toe with Hollywood royalty and still steal the show.

Denzel loyalists view the film as a possible insult to a living legend.

Netflix skeptics worry the streamer is just throwing money at stars for clout—without a cohesive vision behind the project.

The comment wars have turned vicious.

“It’s giving ‘Don’t Look Up’ energy—star-stuffed but emotionally hollow.”
“This better not be another expensive flop like ‘Red Notice.’”
“If this becomes ‘Pattinson vs. Denzel’ on Twitter, I’m watching 10 times.”

The polarization is exactly what drives engagement—and Netflix knows it.

Why Netflix Needs This to Work

With increasing pressure from competitors like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and the newly consolidated HBO Max x Discovery+, Netflix is once again swinging big. The platform is hungry for another global conversation starter—something that sparks think pieces, fan theories, and, yes, memes.

Past attempts like The Gray Man and Red Notice pulled huge numbers but faded fast. In contrast, films like Glass Onion and Don’t Look Up kept the conversation going for weeks—even months.

By blending big names, intellectual bait, and internet-fueled tension, Here Comes the Flood is being positioned as a cultural moment, not just another movie drop.

The Real Twist? The Audience Is Being Played Too

If early descriptions are accurate, Here Comes the Flood doesn’t just feature con artists—it functions as a meta-con itself, baiting the audience into choosing sides, forming theories, and questioning their assumptions.

Who’s telling the truth? Who’s using whom? Is Denzel the victim or the architect? Is Pattinson a mastermind or a pawn? Is Daisy a wildcard or a red herring?

The film’s marketing campaign is already playing with that ambiguity—releasing conflicting stills, cryptic captions, and character bios full of misdirection.

Netflix is turning viewers into players in the con. And it might just work.

Bottom Line: Can Star Power Outrun Skepticism?

Whether Here Comes the Flood becomes the defining heist thriller of the decade or just another algorithm-friendly misfire, one thing is clear: Netflix has gone all-in.

Between the mammoth budget, the explosive cast, and the online culture war brewing around it, this film is more than just content—it’s a risk, a strategy, and a statement.

In the era of content overload, only one question matters:

Will viewers feel like they’re watching the con—or being conned?