Netflix

The mysterious film that’s #1 on Netflix: It’s so unknown it doesn’t even have a Rotten Tomatoes score

Although it has a low profile on the review-aggregation website, a new German-language film is topping the Netflix viewing charts.

MARIO ANZUONI

William Allen

British journalist and translator who joined Diario AS in 2013. Focuses on soccer – chiefly the Premier League, LaLiga, the Champions League, the Liga MX and MLS. On occasion, also covers American sports, general news and entertainment. Fascinated by the language of sport – particularly the under-appreciated art of translating cliché-speak.

Update: May 4th, 2025 18:21 EDT

Netflix subscribers are flocking to watch a new thriller whose ability to pull in viewers belies its strikingly low profile on Rotten Tomatoes.

Since its release on the platform on Wednesday, the German-language movie Exterritorial has shot to the top of the streaming giant’s viewing charts.

In the United States, Exterritorial has pushed the bigger-name film Havoc, a fellow recent release that stars Tom Hardy, into second.

Watch the trailer for Exterritorial:

What is Exterritorial about?

Exterritorial stars Jeanne Goursaud as Sara Wulf, a former elite soldier who launches a frantic search for her young son when he disappears inside the U.S. consulate.

“As she battles against consulate officials, the ex-Special Forces officer uncovers a dangerous conspiracy,” Netflix says.

No ‘Tomatometer’ score on Rotten Tomatoes

On Rotten Tomatoes, a prominent review-aggregation website, Exterritorial remains pretty anonymous: indeed, it does not have a ‘Tomatometer’ score, a rating that reflects the percentage of positive reviews a movie has received from (mostly English-language) film journalists.

The picture does not yet qualify for such a score, as it does not have enough reviews by recognised critics.

At the time of writing, four of Exterritorial‘s six critic reviews were positive. Decider’s John Serba describes it as a “rock-solid, entertaining thriller”, while Ready Steady Cut’s Jonathan Wilson praises the “impressive degree of craft” that has gone into the making of the picture.

Among audience members, however, Exterritorial‘s 37% ‘Popcornmeter’ score offers a clear indication that, while plenty of Netflix subscribers are watching the film, many of them are not enjoying the experience.

Although one five-star review says you “will not go wrong with this movie”, another viewer criticizes Exterritorial‘s “poor dialogue and unrealistic plot solutions”, while others have branded it “ridiculous” and “horrible”.

“I’ve watched better toddler cartoons”, concludes one particularly unimpressed user.

How much is a Netflix subscription in the U.S.?

Viewers in the U.S. can subscribe to Netflix’s ad-free standard plan for $17.99 a month, and to its ad-free premium plan for $24.99 a month. A standard plan with ads is also available, for $7.99 a month.