Kevin Hart Faces Criticism Amid Movie Flops and Associations with Legal Controversy

The past year has been particularly challenging for entertainer Kevin Hart, whose recent cinematic endeavors and unexpected controversies have attracted significant media attention. The 45-year-old comedian headlined two major film releases in 2024 — “Lift” and “Borderlands” — both of which were met with critical disapproval and lukewarm audience reception.

“Borderlands,” an adaptation of the popular video game, is regarded as one of the largest disappointments of the summer, according to Collider’s Eddie Possehl. He labeled it a “colossal failure,” noting that the action comedy not only underperformed critically but also financially, prompting its premature withdrawal from theaters on September 5.

“Borderlands,” directed by Eli Roth, was released in U.S. theaters on August 9. Despite an ensemble cast featuring Kevin Hart alongside acclaimed actors such as Cate Blanchett, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jack Black, the film generated a mere $33 million globally against a budget reportedly ranging from $110 million to $120 million.

Fan and critic responses on review sites like Rotten Tomatoes have underscored the film’s shortcomings, critiquing everything from the script to special effects. Some reviews expressed disappointment over what they perceived as a squandered use of talent and resources, paralleling it unfavorably with other high-budget blockbusters. There were, however, some defenders of “Borderlands,” who argued that the film was unfairly maligned.

Meanwhile, Hart’s earlier release, “Lift,” available on Netflix since January, faced a similarly cold reception. Despite his role as producer, the film failed to resonate with audiences, scoring poorly on review aggregators.

Adding to his woes, Hart’s name has surfaced in relation to the legal issues of Sean "Diddy" Combs, a music mogul recently indicted on serious charges by federal prosecutors in New York. Although Hart has not been accused of any wrongdoing, his past appearances at Diddy-hosted events have drawn renewed scrutiny amidst these allegations.

Prosecutors have charged Diddy with multiple offenses, including racketeering and sex trafficking, accusing him of running a “criminal enterprise” involving various forms of exploitation from 2008 to 2024. Although Diddy has pleaded not guilty, Hart’s historical association came under the limelight following the resurfacing of a video from a 2010 party hosted by Diddy.

Despite the turmoil surrounding his film projects and the surrounding controversies, Hart continues his foray into television. He stars in the recent Peacock miniseries “Fight Night,” which has reportedly received favorable evaluations on Rotten Tomatoes.