This Underrated Kirsten Dunst Flick Just Hit Netflix and It’s an Absolute Must-Watch, No Matter What Rotten Tomatoes Says

20 years later, I’m still a fan

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Published Dec 22, 2024

courtesy of Universal Pictures

As a life-long fan, I was thrilled a few years back when Kirsten Dunst finally got much of the recognition she deserves for starring in so many fabulous films (thanks to The Power of the Dog for finally getting people to acknowledge her epic career). To celebrate, I decided to have my own mini Dunst movie marathon, revisiting all of my favorite classics like Bring It On, Marie Antoinette, Interview with the Vampire and The Virgin Suicides. But first on my list? Wimbledon, a 2004 rom-com starring Dunst opposite Paul Bettany (aka Vision from the Marvel cinematic universe). And I don’t care what Rotten Tomatoes says, it’s absolutely a must-watch—and it’s now on Netflix.

Wimbledon follows Bettany’s Peter Colt, a professional tennis player who has lucked into a wildcard entry for Wimbledon. Once 11th in the world, he’s steadily falling down the ranks and decides to make this his final hurrah before retiring and taking a job as a tennis pro at the local club. That is, until he meets Dunst’s Lizzie Bradbury. The up-and-coming tennis star has her eyes on the prize at her first Wimbledon—and her eyes on Colt as a fun, no commitment way to shake off some pre-game nerves. But of course, this being a rom-com, a fling can never really be just a fling.

wimbledon rom com kirsten dunst paul bettany

courtesy of Universal Pictures

I’m a sucker for both sports movies and rom-coms, so there was never really much doubt that I would love this movie. Dunst and Bettany have fantastic chemistry, with banter that feels witty and flirty, but also realistic. And fans of tennis will have a blast catching all the real-life tennis stars sprinkled throughout the film, including John McEnroe, Chris Evert, Mary Carillo, Murphy Jenson and Alun Jones. I’ll admit, most of the side characters feel pretty one-dimensional, like caricatures of what a sports agent, annoying little brother or overprotective dad might be. But the movie manages to stay grounded thanks to Dunst and Bettany, no matter how fast and charmingly inexplicable their romance may be.

paul bettany in the movie wimbledon 2004

courtesy of Universal Pictures

Is Wimbledon a ground-breaking rom-com? No. You can likely guess where much of the movie is going as the plot progresses. But I don’t watch and love rom-coms because they’re surprising—I watch and love them because they do exactly what I want them to do. They’re feel-good films that deliver on the promise of romance and heartbreak and longing stares and at least one epic kiss. And Wimbledon checks every single one of those boxes, with the added bonus of a sporty twist.

As Roger Ebert said in his review back in 2004, “Wimbledon is a well-behaved movie about nice people who have good things happen to them.” And in this era of gritty dramedies and true crime everything, I’m more than happy to sit back and enjoy a movie where good things happen to good people—particularly when those people are as charming as Dunst and Bettany.

Wimbledon is now streaming on Netflix.

Abby Hepworth

Editor

Covers fashion, trends and all things running
Received certification as an RRCA run coach
Has worked in fashion for over a decade

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This Underrated Kirsten Dunst Flick Just Hit Netflix and It’s an Absolute Must-Watch, No Matter What Rotten Tomatoes Says

20 years later, I’m still a fan

Editor

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