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Real talk: we need to discuss Babylon. It’s officially leaving Netflix on May 31st and I am literally spiraling. Look, I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect to love this movie as much as I did when it first dropped. People were so mean to it back in 2022, but watching it again in 2026? It’s a total mood. It’s loud, it’s gross, it’s three hours long, and it’s honestly iconic. If you haven’t seen Margot Robbie and Tobey Maguire at their absolute wildest, you are missing out.
1. Margot Robbie is basically a human hurricane
Margot plays Nellie LaRoy and she is doing the absolute MOST. From the second she crashes her car into a tree to her iconic ‘I’m a star’ monologue, she is 100% committed. Honestly, how she didn’t win every award for this is beyond me. She cries on cue, she dances until she collapses, and she’s just a total force of nature. We are living for her unhinged energy in every single frame.
2. Tobey Maguire is a literal sleep paralysis demon
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You think you know Tobey Maguire? Think again. His role as James McKay is the stuff of nightmares. He shows up in the final act and suddenly the movie turns into a horror film. He’s pale, he’s creepy, and he takes us into this underground ‘hole’ that I still haven’t recovered from. It’s so different from Peter Parker, and honestly, we’re lowkey obsessed with Scary Tobey.
3. The first 30 minutes are pure, unadulterated chaos
I won’t spoil the specifics, but let’s just say there’s an elephant, a lot of champagne, and the wildness of a 1920s Hollywood party that makes Coachella look like a library. It is a lot to take in, but it sets the tone perfectly. If you can survive the opening sequence, you’re in for the ride of your life. No cap, it’s the most intense start to a movie ever.
4. The soundtrack will be stuck in your head for WEEKS
Justin Hurwitz really did that. The score is all brassy jazz and frantic energy. ‘Voodoo Mama’ is a certified bop that makes you want to dance and also maybe fight someone? In a good way! Even if you end up hating the plot (which you won’t), the music alone makes the Netflix subscription worth it this month. It’s the kind of music that makes you feel like you’re main character material.
5. Brad Pitt is at his peak ‘Cool Guy’ level
Brad plays Jack Conrad, a silent film star who’s slowly realizing the world is moving on without him. It’s actually kind of heartbreaking? He brings so much swagger but also this deep sadness that hits you right in the feels. Plus, seeing him in 1920s formal wear? A total serve. He and Margot have this weirdly beautiful dynamic that just works.
6. The 56% Rotten Tomatoes score is totally wrong
Don’t let the critics fool you. This movie bombed at the box office (only making $63M on an $80M budget) and the reviews were so mixed, but it’s become a total cult classic for a reason. It’s polarizing because it’s bold. I’d rather watch something this ambitious and messy than a boring, safe movie any day. It’s time we admit that Babylon was ahead of its time.
7. Diego Calva is the breakout star we deserved
While Margot and Brad are the big names, Diego Calva is the heart of the movie as Manny. You’re basically seeing this crazy world through his eyes. His journey from an assistant to a big-shot producer is so relatable (minus the whole ‘hiding a body’ part). His chemistry with Margot is electric and you will definitely be Googling him the second the credits roll.
8. It’s a love letter (and a hate letter) to Hollywood
Director Damien Chazelle clearly loves movies, but he also knows that the industry is a total meat grinder. Babylon shows the transition from silent films to ‘talkies’ and how it destroyed people’s lives. It’s fascinating, brutal, and weirdly educational? You’ll never look at old Hollywood the same way again. It’s the dark side of La La Land and we’re here for the drama.
9. The ‘Snake Scene’ is peak cinema, sorry not sorry
There is a scene where Margot Robbie’s character decides to fight a rattlesnake. Yes, you read that right. It is peak camp. It’s ridiculous, it’s stressful, and it’s one of those moments where you’re screaming at the TV. This is why we watch movies! For the absolute absurdity of a Hollywood starlet wrestling a reptile in the desert while everyone else just watches.
10. The ending is… a lot, but in a good way
The final montage is super controversial. Some people hate it, some people think it’s genius. It’s a literal explosion of film history that hits you like a freight train. It makes you feel the weight of every movie ever made. Love it or hate it, you’ll definitely be thinking about it for at least three business days after the movie ends. It’s a total mind-trip.
11. It’s the perfect ‘I’m staying in tonight’ watch
Since it’s leaving Netflix soon, you have no excuse. Cancel your plans, get some popcorn, and commit to the three hours. It’s a sensory overload that is best experienced on the biggest screen you own with the volume turned all the way up. Trust me, you want to be able to say you’ve seen it before it disappears into the streaming void. Go, go, go!
FAQs
When is Babylon leaving Netflix?
Babylon is scheduled to leave Netflix on May 31, 2026. You’ve only got a couple of weeks left to catch Margot Robbie’s wildest performance before it heads to another platform!
Is Babylon worth the 3 hour runtime?
Honestly, yes. While it’s long, the pacing is so frantic that it doesn’t feel like three hours. It’s a massive, chaotic spectacle that keeps you hooked from the opening elephant scene to the wild finale.
Why was Babylon so controversial?
It’s super graphic and unflinching about the ‘gross’ side of 1920s Hollywood. Some people found it too much, but for others, that’s exactly why it’s a masterpiece. It’s definitely not a ‘safe’ movie.
So, there you have it! Babylon is messy, loud, and absolutely brilliant. Whether you’re a Margot Robbie stan or just want to see Tobey Maguire be terrifying, you need to stream this before May 31st. Are you going to give it a chance or is the 3-hour runtime a dealbreaker? Let us know in the comments! Catch ya on the flip side!
