Cameron Diaz's long-awaited comeback to Hollywood with her new Netflix movie has received a solid audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Helmed by Horrible Bosses director Seth Gordon, Diaz stars in the action-comedy alongside Jamie Foxx as Emily and Matt, former undercover CIA agents who go on the run with their children after their identities are discovered by a mysterious enemy. Marking the first pairing between Diaz and Foxx since 2014's Annie, critics have not been kind to Back in Action, netting it a 24% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Now, with the movie in its debut weekend on Netflix, Rotten Tomatoes has calculated Back in Action's Audience score. With over 250 reviews calculated on the review aggregate, . This is not only more than double that of its decidedly negative critics score, but also gives it a Fresh score from audiences, marking a promising start for Diaz's comeback with viewers.
Although the film has not fared well with critics, with many finding fault with the script and pacing, Diaz's return to Hollywood is still being praised as one of the movie's better elements. On the other hand, audience members seem to have enjoyed the new Netflix action-comedy, with many citing Back in Action as a perfect movie to watch with family, and also praising the leads for their performances. This divide highlights , even when the script may fail to deliver.
Another major takeaway from Back in Action's positive score from audiences on the platform is that . The majority of her films through the 2000s and 2010s were poorly received by critics, while even audiences were decidedly mixed on them, her last Fresh score coming from audiences in the 2009 drama My Sister's Keeper. Check out the Rotten Tomatoes scores from Diaz's movies since My Sister's Keeper in the chart below:
Title | RT Critics Score | RT Audience Score |
---|---|---|
My Sister's Keeper | 47% | 72% |
The Box | 42% | 24% |
Shrek Forever After | 58% | 54% |
Knight and Day | 51% | 49% |
The Green Hornet | 45% | 43% |
Bad Teacher | 45% | 36% |
What To Expect When You're Expecting | 23% | 47% |
Gambit | 17% | 24% |
The Counselor | 33% | 24% |
The Other Woman | 27% | 57% |
Sex Tape | 16% | 33% |
Annie | 28% | 59% |
The positive response from the audience indicates that . Her comeback is an encouraging sign for those who were awaiting her return, as it demonstrates she can still hold her own in a fast-paced action-comedy, even after a decade away from the spotlight. While the film may not receive awards buzz, it does reaffirm Diaz's status as a beloved figure in Hollywood, while also demonstrating Netflix's ability to draw viewers through high-profile stars.
and of why she became a household name in the first place. Although Back in Action may have not wowed critics, the audience reception indicates that the public is glad to have her back. If Diaz continues to choose projects that cater to her strengths and capitalize on her star power, she could see an even bigger resurgence in her career, whether it's through another Netflix project, a sequel, or a different venture entirely.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Back in Action follows former CIA operatives Emily and Matt, who are thrust back into espionage years after retiring to raise a family. Released on January 17, 2025, the film unravels their return to the clandestine world when their identities are exposed.
- January 17, 2025
- Action
- Cameron Diaz , Jamie Foxx , McKenna Roberts , Glenn Close , Kyle Chandler , Andrew Scott , Jamie Demetriou , Fola Evans-Akingbola , Anna Stadler , Tom Brittney , Adam Basil , Erol Ismail , Lee Charles , Alfredo Tavares , Ruth Clarson , Julia Westcott-Hutton , Katrina Durden , Robert Besta , Bashir Salahuddin , Ben VanderMey , Jude Mack , Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo , Tobi Bamtefa
- Emily , Matt , Alice , Ginny , Chuck , Baron , Nigel , Wendy , Uncredited , Dylan , Perilla de Volka , Guardaespaldas del pasillo Tate , Chica tatuada de Volka , Balthazar Gor , Coach Chris , Tyler , Daphne , Airport Immigration Officer Keita , MI6 Agent Obasi
- Seth Gordon
- Beau Bauman , Jamie Foxx , Jenno Topping , Sharla Sumpter , Tim Lewis , W. Mark McNair , Brendan O'Brien , Datari Turner
- Seth Gordon , Brendan O'Brien
- Exhibit A , Chernin Entertainment , Good One Productions
- Netflix