The controversial movie "The Interview" starring Seth Rogen and James Franco has started streaming on Netflix following a limited theatrical release that had it losing in sales.
The movie which was supposedly to blame for the hacking of Sony Pictures is now available on Netflix, several sources confirm. According to Uproxx, the movie, which has been pulled from theaters last month and given limited theatrical and VOD releases, is available on Netflix January 24.
Subscribers of Netflix Instant have received emails mentioning that the movie was already available, says Inquisitr.
"The Interview" is the supposed reason why a group called "Guardians of Peace (GoP)" hacked Sony Pictures, demanding for the movie to not be released. The movie features a "less-than-flattering depiction" of Kim Jong-Un of North Korea. Allegedly, Sony initially agreed not to release the movie, but upon Twitter boycotts and comments even from George Clooney and President Obama, a limited theatrical release has been granted. The movie has also been made available for online viewing on Christmas Day.
The movie has previously been made available on YouTube, PlayStation Network, and XBOX Live.
Sony has paid the price of releasing the movie through release of hacked information from their servers including emails among Sony executives and actors.
Following its limited theatrical release, Fansided reports it lost money, but gaining success on its online release. To date, it is "the highest grossing Sony online release" because people were watching it on streaming sites such as YouTube.
While the movie has been surrounded by hype because of the hack, reviews seem to indicate that the movie was not exceptionally good, with it being given a less than 60% likability rating. Rogen's comments about the movie "American Sniper" also apparently took away from the likability of "The Interview."
Rogen reportedly compared "American Sniper" to "a Nazi propaganda." The actor backtracked and made clarifications about his comment soon after, but viewers of "The Interview" have already been influenced, saying that they watched the movie only as a "patriotic duty."
Some who viewed the film in theaters wore Uncle Sam or American flag-inspired outfits to show their patriotism and support for free speech.
Join the Conversation