Months after its theatrical debut, Dirty Angels has become one of Amazon Prime Video’s most-watched films — not because critics loved it, but because audiences couldn’t look away. Despite a dismal 29% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 45 reviews, the 2024 action thriller starring Eva Green has consistently ranked in the Top 10 across at least 17 countries as of November 2025, according to Collider’s November 26 report. The film, directed by Martin Campbell and produced by a European consortium led by Head Gear Films and Gemstone Films, was shot in the volcanic landscapes of Tenerife during fall 2023. And yet, the numbers don’t lie: people are watching — and watching again.
Why Critics Hated It — And Why Viewers Loved It
Reviewers called Dirty Angels overwrought, implausible, and tonally confused. One critic wrote, “It feels like a James Bond film directed by someone who only watched the trailers.” The plot — centered on Nora (Green), the manipulative wife of criminal kingpin Jack Wolfe (Samuel L. Jackson), who leads a covert team of female soldiers posing as aid workers during the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan — was dismissed as a messy hybrid of Atomic Blonde, True Lies, and a Netflix soap opera.
But here’s the twist: audiences didn’t care. On Prime Video, viewers aren’t just streaming — they’re rewatching. One Reddit thread titled “Nora’s smile in scene 12 ruined me” has over 12,000 upvotes. Fans praise the film’s rhythm, the chemistry between Green and Jackson, and the sheer audacity of its twists. “It’s not good,” wrote one user. “It’s *deliciously* bad. Like eating a whole bag of spicy chips at 2 a.m.”
The Cast That Made It Unignorable
Green, born in Paris on July 6, 1980, brings a magnetic, almost dangerous stillness to Nora — a character who smiles while plotting betrayal. Her performance, critics say, is the only thing holding the film together. “She’s not acting,” said film analyst Lila Monroe in a November interview. “She’s *inhabiting* a predator.”
Joining her is Maria Pedraza, the Spanish star of Money Heist, who plays a disillusioned medic turned operative. Pedraza, born in Madrid in 1995, reportedly trained with former military medics for six weeks before filming. Samuel L. Jackson, who also serves as executive producer through his production company, reportedly pushed for the film’s darker tone after reading the script on a flight from New York to London.
Director Gary Fleder, known for Homefront (2013), called the film “a genre-blending thriller with unexpected twists,” adding, “It’s provocative, sexy, and original.” Whether that’s praise or backhanded commentary depends on who you ask.
The Production That Flew Under the Radar
Financed by Highland Film Group, with CEO Arianne Fraser and COO Delphine Perrier overseeing international sales, Dirty Angels was never meant to be a blockbuster. It was a mid-budget European co-production — a gamble on a female-led action narrative in a market still dominated by male protagonists.
“The premise is already attracting global buyers,” Perrier told Screen Daily in January 2024. At the time, no one expected it to become a streaming phenomenon. But the film’s release on Prime Video in March 2024 — tucked between two seasons of The Boys — gave it a quiet launchpad. By August, it was trending in Brazil, Germany, and South Korea. By October, Amazon had quietly promoted it in its “Hidden Gems” section. By November? It was #3 in the U.S. and #1 in Spain.
What’s Next for Eva Green — And Why It Matters
While Dirty Angels quietly conquered streaming, Green is already moving on — and bigger. In November 2025, she’ll appear as Aunt Ophelia in Wednesday Season 3, a role confirmed by BroadwayWorld.com’s Kayla on November 25. Fans are already speculating whether Ophelia will be a villain, a mentor, or something far more sinister.
Meanwhile, Amazon Prime’s algorithm is doing something fascinating: it’s pairing Dirty Angels with Casino Royale — Green’s 2006 James Bond film, directed by Campbell, which still holds a 94% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and ranks #25 on Prime’s best movies list. The connection isn’t accidental. Both films feature Green as a morally ambiguous woman navigating power, deception, and danger. But while Casino Royale is sleek, elegant, and critically revered, Dirty Angels is messy, loud, and wildly popular. That contrast tells us something about modern audiences: they don’t just want perfection. They want pulse.
Don’t Confuse It With the Other Prime Hits
There’s been confusion online between Dirty Angels and two other recent Prime Video releases. One is Good Boy (2025), a horror film shot entirely from a dog’s perspective that earned a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score — and features no human actors remotely resembling Green. The other is Casino Royale, which, despite sharing a director and star, belongs to a completely different universe.
Amazon’s recommendation engine may be linking them, but the films couldn’t be more different. One is a polished classic. One is a raw, chaotic fever dream. And right now? The fever dream is winning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dirty Angels popular despite its low Rotten Tomatoes score?
Audiences are drawn to the film’s bold, over-the-top storytelling and Eva Green’s magnetic performance. Unlike critics who prioritize narrative logic, viewers respond to emotional intensity and stylistic flair. The film’s themes of betrayal and survival resonate in a post-war, post-pandemic cultural moment, making its chaos feel strangely relevant. It’s not a masterpiece — but it’s a mirror.
Who financed Dirty Angels, and how did it get distributed globally?
The film was co-produced by Head Gear Films and Gemstone Films, with Highland Film Group handling international sales and financing. CEO Arianne Fraser and COO Delphine Perrier secured distribution deals in over 20 territories before its Prime Video debut. Its European roots helped it bypass traditional U.S.-centric marketing, allowing it to find audiences in Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia without heavy advertising.
Was Dirty Angels filmed in Afghanistan?
No. Filming took place entirely in the Canary Islands, Spain — primarily in Tenerife — due to safety and logistical constraints. The production used digital effects and location scouting to replicate Afghan terrain. The filmmakers consulted veterans and aid workers to ensure authenticity in uniforms, equipment, and military procedure, even if the plot itself leaned into fiction.
How does Dirty Angels compare to Eva Green’s other roles on Prime Video?
Unlike her role in Casino Royale — a suave, elegant spy thriller — Dirty Angels showcases Green as a ruthless, emotionally volatile force. In Wednesday Season 3, she’ll play Aunt Ophelia, a character rumored to be a dark mentor figure. Each role explores power through different lenses: sophistication, chaos, and mystery. Together, they reveal Green’s range as an actress who thrives in morally gray spaces.
What does Dirty Angels’ success say about streaming trends in 2025?
It signals a shift: audiences are moving away from “critically acclaimed” content toward emotionally engaging, stylistically bold stories — even if they’re flawed. Streaming platforms now prioritize watch time and rewatch rates over critic scores. Dirty Angels didn’t need a 90% rating to succeed. It just needed to make people feel something — and it did.
Is there going to be a Dirty Angels sequel?
No official announcement has been made, but Highland Film Group confirmed in late November 2025 that they’re in early talks about a spin-off series centered on Maria Pedraza’s character. With the film’s global viewership still climbing, a limited series exploring the covert team’s backstory is a logical next step — especially if Green returns in a cameo.
