Since its release on 10 July 2025, a German science fiction film has held tightly onto Netflix’s coveted top spot – first worldwide, and now stubbornly in France. But while the numbers suggest a smash hit, the reviews tell a far less flattering story, and fresh plagiarism accusations are adding fuel to the fire.
A high-concept premise that falls flat
Directed by Philip Koch (Tribes of Europa), Brick follows Tim and Olivia, played by Matthias Schweighöfer (Army of the Dead, Army of Thieves) and Ruby O. Fee. One morning, they wake to find a solid black wall sealing off their building – blocking doors, windows, and any link to the outside world. Forced into uneasy cooperation with their neighbours, they soon discover these aren’t exactly the allies they’d hoped for.
It’s a set-up ripe for tension, but critics say it never quite delivers. On Rotten Tomatoes, Brick holds a dismal 35% from reviewers and an even lower 26% audience score.
The plagiarism debate
In science fiction, borrowing ideas from earlier works is almost a tradition – think how Akira has inspired filmmakers from Steven Spielberg to Christopher Nolan. But here, some argue the film crosses the line from homage into outright imitation.
Brazilian outlet AdoroCinema points to striking similarities with “Child’s Play,” an episode of the British anthology Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense. In that story, the threat was more immediate and dangerous, and the twist – which arrives far earlier than expected – is the kind of shock that could knock you out of your seat.
By comparison, Brick offers no major surprise in its ending and leaves the origins of its mysterious wall unexplored – a decision that may have been deliberate, leaving room for a possible sequel.
Popularity versus quality
It’s one of those curious Netflix phenomena: a title can dominate the platform’s top 10 while being panned almost across the board. Whether audiences are drawn in by the concept, the cast, or simply the algorithm, Brick proves that streaming success doesn’t always match critical acclaim.
For now, it remains to be seen whether the film’s number-one status will outlast the controversy – or if viewers, like the characters themselves, will start looking for a way out.