Robert Downey Jr.’s Forgotten Supernatural Horror Thriller Is Officially Back on Streaming
Gothika, the 2003 supernatural horror thriller that gave Robert Downey Jr. an early foothold in his career comeback, has been made available to stream on Netflix. The film arrived at a pivotal moment for Downey, who had recently left rehab after years of substance abuse and public trouble; producer Joel Silver reportedly withheld 40% of his salary until filming wrapped to ensure he stayed sober, a gamble that paid off and helped pave the way for further roles, including Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and, eventually, Iron Man.
The film stars Halle Berry as psychiatrist Dr Miranda Grey, who wakes up as an inmate at the institution where she works, accused of murdering her husband (Charles Dutton) with no memory of the crime, with Downey Jr and Penélope Cruz in supporting roles. Gothika was a commercial hit, taking $141 million against a $40 million budget, though it was poorly received by critics, holding just 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, and its tie-in single, a Limp Bizkit cover of "Behind Blue Eyes" featuring Berry, was similarly panned.
In short
- Gothika, Robert Downey Jr's 2003 comeback film, is now streaming on Netflix
- Stars Halle Berry as an accused-murderer psychiatrist; Downey Jr and Cruz co-star
- Made $141m on a $40m budget but scored poorly with critics
Explained simply
Gothika is a supernatural thriller about a psychiatrist who wakes up in the institution where she works, accused of killing her husband and unable to remember what happened. Halle Berry plays the psychiatrist, with Robert Downey Jr and Penélope Cruz in supporting roles.
The film came out in 2003, when Downey was rebuilding his career after years of substance abuse and public difficulties. Producer Joel Silver reportedly held back part of Downey’s pay until filming ended, and the role came before later films that helped establish his return to leading roles.
Gothika earned far more at the box office than it cost to make, despite receiving poor reviews from critics. Its place in Downey’s career helps explain why the film is still discussed alongside its horror story.