Russell Crowe's latest mystery thriller, Sleeping Dogs, has recently hit theaters with a Rotten Tomatoes rating that continues a disappointing trend for the acclaimed actor. Co-starring Karen Gillan, the film features Crowe in the role of an Alzheimer's-stricken former homicide detective who is compelled to revisit an old case when new information surfaces from a mysterious woman.
The release of Sleeping Dogs follows closely on the heels of Land of Bad, another Crowe-led action film that garnered a moderately positive reception from critics, earning a 63% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the trend of underwhelming ratings for Crowe's recent projects persists, as Sleeping Dogs currently holds a meager 29% fresh rating on the review aggregator site, based on a limited number of reviews.
While Land of Bad managed to achieve a relatively higher rating, Crowe's overall Rotten Tomatoes scores have been lackluster in recent years. The actor's last major critical success was in 2016 with The Nice Guys, which received a commendable 91% fresh rating. Subsequent films such as Unhinged, Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher, The Greatest Beer Run Ever, Poker Face, and The Pope's Exorcist have failed to impress critics, with Poker Face hitting a low of 9% fresh.
Despite Sleeping Dogs' modest rating in comparison to some of Crowe's previous works, the actor faces a challenging task in reversing this downward trend. His upcoming projects, including Kraven the Hunter and The Georgetown Project, offer opportunities for Crowe to potentially regain favor with critics and audiences alike.
Synopsis of Sleeping Dogs
Based on the novel by E.O. Chirovici, Sleeping Dogs is a gripping crime thriller that follows the journey of a former detective who re-enters the investigative world after undergoing an experimental Alzheimer's treatment. Armed with a fresh perspective and a rejuvenated mind, the detective delves back into a cold case involving the murder of a college professor, setting the stage for a suspenseful and intriguing narrative.
