The Worst Movies Based On True Events

“Free State of Jones” is based on the true story of a white Mississippi farmer Newton Knight who led a rebellion against the Confederacy during the Civil War. He declared Jones Country, where he lived, to be part of the Union. The county was known as the Free State of Jones. Rotten Tomatoes’ Critics Consensus describes the movies as a “stilted treatment of a fascinating real-life story.”

“Hollywoodland” was inspired by one of Hollywood’s most infamous mysteries — the death of George Reeves, the man who played Superman in the 1950s TV show. His death was ruled a suicide, though the circumstances have been the subject of much controversy. Some critics described the movie as a whodunit that has little mystery and as a film that settles for the middle instead of shooting for the stars.

“Hysteria” is based on the eyebrow-raising story of the invention of the vbrator by 19th-century British physicians. Just over half of critics and viewers who reviewed the film gave it a positive review. “Hysteria has an amusing subject but its winking, vaguely sarcastic tone doesn’t do the movie any favors,” according to Rotten Tomatoes’ Critics Consensus.

“The Soloist” is based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a Los Angeles violin virtuoso who developed schizophrenia and became homeless. Though critics praise the performances of Jamie Foxx, who plays Ayers, and of Robert Downey Jr, who plays a journalist writing about the musician, they were not impressed with the plot and its lack of narrative.

The 2001 Drew Barrymore comedy “Riding in Cars with Boys” is based on the autobiography of writer Beverly Donofrio. Many critics felt that the movie didn’t quite pull off its mix of comedy and darker elements.