Levi’s Post-DC Streak: Audiences Love Him, Critics? Not So Much!

Thescreescore – Zachary Levi, fresh off his tenure in the DC Extended Universe, continues to resonate with audiences, as evidenced by the strong Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter score for his latest film, "Sarah’s Oil." The historical drama, directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, centers on Sarah Rector (Naya Desir-Johnson), a young Black girl in early 20th-century Oklahoma who discovers oil on her land. She enlists the help of Bert Smith (Zachary Levi), a Texas wildcatter, to protect her newfound wealth from those seeking to exploit it.

Despite lacking enough critics’ reviews for an official Tomatometer score, "Sarah’s Oil" boasts an impressive 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on over 100 user reviews. This positive reception marks a continuation of Levi’s post-DC trajectory, where his films have often garnered significantly higher audience approval than critical acclaim.

Since his last appearance as Shazam in "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" (2023), Levi has starred in five movies. While some have received mixed or negative critical reviews, "Harold and the Purple Crayon" (89%) and "The Unbreakable Boy" (97%) both earned Verified Hot scores on the Popcornmeter. "Sarah’s Oil" is poised to potentially achieve the same status.

The divergence between critical and audience reception raises questions about the factors driving these differing opinions. Rotten Tomatoes verifies user reviews by confirming ticket purchases through Fandango, suggesting that the positive scores may reflect the views of moviegoers who were already predisposed to enjoy the film.

However, "Harold and the Purple Crayon" grossed $32.2 million against its reported $40 million budget, and "The Unbreakable Boy" earned just $7.2 million. "Sarah’s Oil" is projected to open at No. 4 with a mild $4.4 million debut.

Ultimately, while Zachary Levi may face challenges in consistently winning over critics, his ability to connect with audiences remains a significant strength. "Sarah’s Oil" could still become a box office success on its own terms.