A CLOSER GLIMPSE
Acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann openly takes the blame for the collapse of his cyber-thriller ‘Blackhat’, confessing that he misjudged the readiness of the script for filming. Though the film’s subject, cybercrime, was cutting-edge at the time and has since become more pertinent with the evolution of information security technology, it didn’t resonate with the audiences back then.
Even with its monetary shortcomings, ‘Blackhat’ doesn’t fail to present important themes, supplemented by a skillful ensemble that counts Viola Davis and Holt McCallany among its stars.
No director, regardless of fame or reverence, is shielded from the risks of misunderstanding a concept’s promise. In Michael Mann’s case, the renowned creator of ‘Heat’ and ‘Ferrari’, that risk materialized with ‘Blackhat’. This 2015 venture saw Chris Hemsworth, of ‘Thor: Love & Thunder’ fame, portraying a cyber-criminal recruited by the FBI to track a hacker with nefarious intent. The film’s disastrous performance, both in box office earnings and a mere 33% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is something Mann candidly concedes as his mistake.
During a candid conversation with Variety, Mann laid bare his thoughts, accepting ‘Blackhat’s downfall as his own lapse in judgment, failing to discern that the script by Morgan Davis Foehl was premature for production. Yet, he stands unswerving in his support for the story, which feels much more pressing today, emphasizing:
“The notion was far ahead of its era, dismissed by many as fantastical. Mistaken. The depiction is chillingly exact.”
![Image via Universal Pictures]
Blackhat: Ahead of Its Time in Various Aspects
In a world where AI dominates much of the social media conversation, the strides made in information security over the past decade should not be overlooked. What once seemed like material fit only for a science fiction flick during ‘Blackhat’s release is now a realistic component of online data protection, a fundamental concern for major corporations. Perhaps now, with eight years of hindsight, the movie might appear more enthralling, even if its financial shortcomings remain a harsh reality – earning less than $20 million on a $70 million budget. Maybe, in retrospect, Mann wasn’t so misguided in his decision to make ‘Blackhat’.
The movie’s title bears a term rarely heard outside cybersecurity talks, yet today, it’s a word recognized by many. It defines a hacker who manipulates their skill for personal gain or criminal activity.
Simultaneously, even at its weakest, a Michael Mann production ensures pertinent issues are discussed. He introduces subjects like the moral and ethical boundaries of contemporary society, the fine line between adherence and defiance of the law, the way violence molds individuals and communities, and many more intriguing themes.
Featuring an impressive cast including Viola Davis (The Suicide Squad), Tang Wei (Decision to Leave), Leehom Wang (The Treasured Voice), and Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), ‘Blackhat’ leaves its mark. Refresh your memory by watching the trailer, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll realize that this cinematic effort was a bit more visionary than initially credited. Or, you know, at least appreciate Hemsworth’s attempt to swap a hammer for a keyboard!
