Jake Gyllenhaal’s name has become almost synonymous with being underrated: a label that, fittingly, applies to many of his films as well. Across a career defined by risk-taking roles, Gyllenhaal has delivered critically acclaimed performances in films such as Brokeback Mountain, Nightcrawler, Zodiac, and Donnie Darko. His work has repeatedly demonstrated a pattern where critical appreciation deepens long after a film’s initial release. 

That delayed recognition, however, is now playing out once again, as a largely overlooked 2023 war movie climbs into Netflix’s Top 10.

Against all expectations, The Covenant has climbed and maintained its position on No. 4 on Netflix’s Tudum Top 10 Movies list in the U.S. for the past two weeks. Grabbing the No.1 spot is Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, followed by My Secret Santa and Jay Kelly.

Originally released theatrically in April 2023, The Covenant was directed by Guy Ritchie and stars Jake Gyllenhaal. The narrative follows Gyllenhaal’s U.S. soldier John Kinley and Ahmed, an Afghan translator played by Dar Salim, whose bond deepens after Ahmed saves Kinley’s life.

Critics responded positively to its focused storytelling and Gyllenhaal’s performance, but audiences did not initially turn out in large numbers. The film went on to earn around $21 million worldwide against a reported budget of approximately $55 million, marking it as a commercial disappointment at the box office. 

While the late surge does work in the film's favor, what makes the film stand out now?

Part of The Covenant's late traction lies in how deliberately it avoids familiar war-movie theatrics, a move that was intentional for director Guy Ritchie. Instead of foregrounding spectacle, it stays rooted in realism, prioritizing characters, consequences, and building moral weight over heroism. That approach has resonated strongly with streaming audiences, many of whom describe being surprised by how restrained and well-crafted it feels. 

Viewers have praised the performances by Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim, the measured action that never overwhelms the theme. That restraint is closely tied to the film being a clear departure from Guy Ritchie’s usual flair.

Ritchie, who is known for fast-talking characters, kinetic editing, and stylized violence, strips back his signature excess here in favor of a tense story centered on loyalty and obligation. It is a quieter, more mature work than audiences typically expect from the director, one more focused on human cost than adrenaline.

The Covenant is a reminder that some films can have their wrong moments, only to find their audience later when expectations fall away. If you missed it the first time, this Netflix resurgence might be the cue for you, along with some other war films in the streamer's repository.

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