In 2024, Welsh actor Luke Evans starred alongside Rory Culkin in an motion thriller that, within the pre-streaming age, would have gone on to DVD. However in our present period, “5lbs of Strain” — named for the quantity of power wanted to fireside a typical handgun — has discovered an viewers on Netflix after a really restricted theatrical run. The movie’s streaming success is nearly definitely as a result of reality we will not assist however be tempted by something new that hits the “not too long ago added” class. However many viewers absolutely additionally recall a time when Evans helped convey a J. R. R. Tolkien traditional to life on the massive display screen.
Within the early 2010s, Evans was finest identified for his function in Ridley Scott’s “Robin Hood” (a historic motion flop that deserves a second probability) and for taking part in Apollo in Louis Leterrier’s “Conflict of the Titans” remake. Then, when Peter Jackson forged him as Bard the Bowman in his three-film adaptation of Tolkien’s 1937 novel “The Hobbit,” he grew to become a part of probably the most beloved cinematic franchises of the trendy age. Evans performed the Smaug slayer in 2013’s “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” and 2014’s “The Hobbit: The Battle of the 5 Armies.” His star was clearly on the rise.
In newer years, Evans has branched out, releasing an album in 2019 whereas taking a job in Hulu’s “9 Excellent Strangers” and starring within the 2026 Broadway manufacturing of “The Rocky Horror Image Present.” He even appeared alongside “Yellowstone” star Kelly Reilly within the 2018 abduction thriller “10×10,” which hit Netflix in 2026. Now, Evans is again to dominate the Netflix charts along with his in any other case ignored thriller “5lbs of Strain,” and it seems as if the movie would possibly simply take the highest spot on the streamer’s present most-watched films chart.
5lbs of Strain is a Netflix hit
“5lbs of Strain” is directed by Phil Allocco, who made his characteristic directorial debut with 2017’s “The Fact about Lies.” Luke Evans stars within the movie as Adam, an ex-con who returns to his previous neighborhood in New York (Manchester, England, of all locations, stands in for the Large Apple) after serving a 16-year sentence for homicide. There, he tries his finest to reconnect along with his son, who grew up with out Adam in his life and is cautious about granting forgiveness. Elsewhere, Eli (Zac Adams), the brother of the person Adam murdered, is not thrilled to see him again on the road, whereas Eli’s finest good friend Mike (Rory Culkin) is determined to flee from his drug-dealing uncle (Alex Pettyfer).
The film’s 57% Rotten Tomatoes rating is not all that flattering, however it’s additionally not the worst attainable end result. Each “high critics” opinions on the web site are constructive as nicely, with Catherine Bray of The Guardian awarding the movie three stars and deeming it “respectable.” Selection‘s Dennis Harvey was much more complimentary, writing, “‘5lbs’ weaves an engaging-enough net of misunderstandings, grudges, and doomed trajectories amongst numerous shady varieties.” It may not be the perfect motion thriller on Netflix, then, however it’s definitely captured individuals’s consideration.
“5lbs of Strain” was given a simultaneous theatrical and digital launch by Lionsgate in 2024, however solely made $32,070 in theaters internationally. (Its home gross is unavailable.) Now, the movie has hit Netflix, debuting on the streamer on June 21, 2026, and, per FlixPatrol, arriving at quantity 4 on the US film charts. As of June 23, 2026, it is hit quantity three. Whether or not Evans can shoot his method to the highest stays unclear, however it’s a stable debut for a movie that may have in any other case been totally forgotten.
