Margot Robbie Defends $120 Million Box Office Flop Babylon: "I Can't Figure Out Why People Hated It"

Margot Robbie has expressed confusion over the poor reception of her 2022 film Babylon, which flopped at the box office despite having a $120 million production budget.

Speaking on the Talking Pictures podcast, Robbie defended the film, which was directed by Damien Chazelle of La La Land fame, and starred Brad Pitt alongside her.

"I love it. I don’t get it either," said Robbie when discussing the film's mixed reviews and underperformance at the box office. Babylon grossed only $23 million in the U.S. and $96 million worldwide, significantly less than its production costs, leading many to label it a failure.

The film, set in 1920s Hollywood, focuses on the transition from silent films to "talkies," with Robbie playing the role of Nellie LaRoy, a character inspired by the real-life actress Clara Bow. Despite the star-studded cast, Babylon struggled to resonate with audiences and critics, with outlets like The Guardian calling it an “overcooked portrait” and Variety describing it as an “unreasonably expensive” film.

Despite the critical reception, Robbie believes in the movie's artistic value, especially under Chazelle's direction. She praised his commitment to pushing boundaries, stating, "Damian is so thorough…he wanted more always."

Although Babylon did not achieve box office success, it earned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Original Score, and five Golden Globe nominations, winning one for Best Original Score.