Netflix fans hail 2014 movie as the 'best they've ever seen' as it's given new life on streaming platform

A 2014 Robert Downey Jr. film has become the top streaming movie in the US today, and Netflix users consider it to be the 'best they've ever seen.'

Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall star in the movie The Judge, which despite its 49 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, holds a 72 percent audience score.

The Academy Award-winning actors portray a father and son who are estranged and reunited after a family member's death.

The Judge debuted at number three at the box office during its opening weekend and grossed more than 84.4 million during its theatrical run; with its recent release on Netflix, it has flourished to the top.

In fact, one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter, 'How did I miss out on watching the movie “The Judge” starring Robert Downey Jr & Robert Duvall? Regardless of their strained father & son relationship, family is everything & this movie proves it. A must watch on Netflix.'

Directed by David Dobkin, the film also stars Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton and Succession star Jeremy Strong.

(From L to R) Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall star in the 2014 film The Judge, which recently became the top streaming film on Netflix

Before it reached the number one spot, the top streaming movie on Netflix was the 2023 romantic comedy Anyone But You

The Judge had been in the development phase in the early 2010s before filming began in 2013 in Massachusetts and Indiana.

According to IMDB, legendary actors Jack Nicholson and Tommy Lee Jones were considered for the role of Joseph Palmer.

Nicholson was initially offered the role, but after he declined, it ultimately went to Duvall.

It is unclear when Downey Jr. was cast as Hank, but he did get to work with his wife and film producer Susan Downey. 

Downey Jr. portrays Hank Palmer, a successful lawyer who returns to his childhood home in Carlinville, Indiana after the death of his mother.

He reconnects with his brothers Dale (Strong), Glen (Vincent D'Onofrio) and his father Joseph Palmer (Duvall), who is the town judge.

Judge Palmer had sent a then-17-year-old Hank to a juvenile detention center following a car accident that ruined Glen's chances of becoming an MLB player.

Once a bitter argument occurs between Hank and Joseph, the lawyer opts to leave and never come back Carlinville.

Hank returns to his childhood home once again after he finds out that his father is suspected of committing a fatal hit-and-run of an ex-convict.

He becomes Joseph's lead counsel, and while looking for answers as to what happened, he finds out a shocking secret that could change everything.

Downey Jr. portrays Hank Palmer, a successful lawyer in Chicago who returns to his hometown after his mother dies. He has an estranged relationship with his father, Judge Joseph Palmer

Vincent D'Onofrio and Jeremy Strong portray Dale and Glen Palmer, Hank's brothers who live in their small Indiana hometown

Downey Jr. served as one of the executive producers of The Judge. His wife, Susan Downey, was one of the film producers

Although not all critics found the film to be the best movie they've ever seen, several of them pointed out the positive things about The Judge in their reviews.

'There are plenty of emotional fireworks in this big, soupy but entertaining picture, which is obvious Oscar bait,' wrote The Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw in 2014.

'When Hank has to help his old man in the bathroom, in one very heartrending scene, the words “Academy Award – for your consideration” virtually flash in the bottom right corner of the screen.'

Bradshaw's review proved right as Duvall was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the role of Joseph Palmer in 2015.

Duvall did not receive an Oscar, but he did win a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the judge.

More than 25,000 Rotten Tomato members who contributed to the Audience Score left more positive comments, many of which praised Downey Jr. and Duvall.

Later in the film, Duvall is accused of committing a fatal hit-and-run on an ex-convict he once sentenced to 20 years in jail 

Social media users on X and Rotten Tomatoes have been praising the film and Downey Jr's performance

'Great movie with a great story and awesome acting,' a viewer wrote in April 2024.

'Robert Downey jr and Robert Duvall so good together. Love this movie.'

Another person who watched the film praised Downey Jr. but criticized Duvall based on their own opinion.

'I don't know why but personally never enjoyed what Robert Duvall brings to the screen and the film should have shaved off 45 minutes and it would have been a much tighter film,' they wrote on Rotten Tomatoes yesterday.

X users were much more positive in their comments and more than three users praised Downey Jr. and admit that the film made them cry.

'I watched The Judge and now I am juggling very complicated feelings,' an X user tweeted on May 1.

'The least complicated being I know Robert Downey Jr. can play something different and I am slightly tired of him playing the same character.'