A Big Bold Beautiful Journey has debuted with a disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score. Directed by Kogonada (Columbus, After Yang), with a script written by Seth Reiss, the upcoming romantic fantasy film stars Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell as two strangers who meet at a wedding and embark on a journey through time together, reliving important moments from their respective pasts.

In addition to Oscar nominees Margot Robbie (I, Tonya, Bombshell) and Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin), the film also stars four-time Emmy winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), Oscar winner Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda), Lily Rabe (American Horror Story), Jodie Turner-Smith, Billy Magnussen, Brandon Perea, and Hamish Linklater.

Now, ahead of its theatrical release on September 19, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey has debuted with a 57% score from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie has 35 reviews at the time of writing, so its score is subject to fluctuation as more are published. Its audience score should start to take shape once it releases in theaters this Friday.

What A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Means For The Movie

The movie’s Rotten Tomatoes score means that its reviews are mixed. For instance, in ScreenRant‘s review of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, which is mostly negative, Mae Abdulbaki writes, “Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie’s romantic fantasy is a study in manufactured sentimentality… a rousing story about finding someone and falling in love this is not — nor does it truly contend with the need for human connection very well.”

Otherwise, the reviews are sharply divided, with supporters highlighting its visual beauty, heartfelt themes, and moving performances from Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie. Many find it imaginative, tender, and emotionally rewarding despite some flaws in its logic, dialogue, and pacing. For those open to Kogonada’s meditative style, the film offers a poignant exploration of love, regret, and second chances.

However, its detractors are dismissing it as contrived, pretentious, and emotionally hollow. Several feel the romance lacks chemistry and pᴀssion, while others describe it as overly cutesy, academic, or weighed down by an uninspired script. Some praise its ambition, but feel that the film fails to deliver on the “big” or “bold” promised by the тιтle.

Our Take On A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’s Rotten Tomatoes Score

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey‘s Rotten Tomatoes score is somewhat disappointing, especially after Margot Robbie’s last movie, Barbie, earned one of the highest scores of her career at 88%, as well as eight Oscar nods. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey likely isn’t headed down that same path, though Robbie will have a second chance to recapture some of that magic with her next movie, Wuthering Heights, from Emerald Fennell.