‘Objectively perfect’ cult horror movie critics hated is coming to Netflix this week

A beloved 2000s horror movie that flopped at the box office but developed a huge cult following is about to be released on Netflix

Netflix UK is set to become home to one of the most cherished cult horror films of the last two decades.

Originally hitting cinemas in 2009, the film was unfortunately torn apart by critics and failed to make a significant impact at the box office, grossing just $31.6 million (£22.8 million) against a $16 million (£11.8 million) budget.

It currently holds a modest score of just 47 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences delivering an even harsher verdict of 36 percent.

Starring Megan Fox (Transformers) and Amanda Seyfried (The Housemaid), the film directed by Karyn Kusama (The Invitation) and written by Diablo Cody (Juno) follows Fox’s high school student Jennifer Check, who becomes demonically possessed and begins feasting on her male classmates.

A high school girl becomes possessed by a man-eating demon (Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX)

When Seyfried’s Anita ‘Needy’ Lesnicki discovers her friend’s chilling secret, she embarks on a deadly mission to stop her succubus bestie’s reign of terror.

Boasting an impressive supporting cast including JK Simmons (Invincible), Johnny Simmons (Scott Pilgrim vs the World), Amy Sedaris (Bojack Horseman), and Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This), alongside an early big-screen appearance from Hollywood heavyweight Chris Pratt, Jennifer’s Body is widely regarded as one of the standout films of the 2000s.

It returns to Netflix UK this Friday (8th May), so get it in the diary for a spine-chilling, gloriously camp and thoroughly thrilling movie night.

One Rotten Tomatoes user insists it’s essential viewing for Buffy fans, writing: “Such a shame that this film was so badly marketed on release. I was put off watching it for years due to the bad reviews.

It flopped upon release but has since developed a passionate cult following (Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX)

“It’s a great teen movie looking at female friendships and the difficulties teenage girls face navigating the world. There are hints of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Jennifer’s pithy dialogue. Don’t be put off by the reviews – judge it on its own merits. If it was released now I think it would be received completely differently.”

Another viewer drew a further comparison: “Popular high school mean girl turns into a man-eating demon…kinda like Heathers meets Evil Dead!”

A Letterboxd reviewer went even further, declaring Jennifer’s Body “just objectively a perfect movie”.

While an IMDb user labelled the film a “Criminally Underrated Masterpiece” in their glowing 10/10 review.

“Megan Fox absolutely kills it in one of her best roles, and Amanda Seyfried is just as strong – their chemistry makes the story hit even harder,” they continued. “It’s not just a horror flick; it’s also a clever take on friendship, jealousy, and female empowerment.

“The soundtrack still slaps, the visuals are stylish, and the vibe is iconic. This movie was misunderstood at the time, but now it’s rightfully seen as a cult classic. For me, it’s a solid 10/10.” Ready to come face-to-face with a flesh-eating succubus this week? Make your way over to Netflix on Friday to discover more.

Jennifer’s Body is streaming on Netflix from Friday, 8th May.