Bruce Willis’ Sci-Fi Classic Is Back on Netflix
The Fifth Element is back on Netflix, and Collider is making the case that Luc Besson’s 1997 space opera deserves a fresh look. The film currently streams in the United States, and the site’s coverage leans into the movie’s excess — from Bruce Willis driving a flying taxi to Chris Tucker’s Ruby Rhod screaming in a leopard print outfit.
Nearly 30 years after it arrived, the film still feels new and fresh. The premise is simple: New York in the twenty-third century, the Earth is about to be destroyed by a huge ball of fire racing toward the planet. Cornelius, an old monk, knows how to stop the burning sphere — summon the Fifth Element, the Supreme Being who unites the four basic elements of air, water, fire and earth. That being is the only one who can stop Evil.
Cornelius gets a hand from Korben Dallas, a taxi driver and former secret agent played by Bruce Willis, and from Leeloo, an alien in the shape of a beautiful, carrot-top young woman played by Milla Jovovich. The trio sets off to save humanity and fight the horrendous Zorg and his allies, the dreadful Mangalores.
The Cast That Made It Work
The film’s ensemble is stacked with familiar faces from the ’90s. Willis plays Korben Dallas, a former secret agent turned taxi driver who now pilots a flying vehicle through the city’s skies. Milla Jovovich plays Leeloo, the alien with the carrot-top hair who holds the key to summoning the Fifth Element.
Gary Oldman plays Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg, the villain who stands opposite the heroes. Ian Holm plays Father Vito Cornelius, the monk who knows the secret of the Fifth Element. Chris Tucker plays Ruby Rhod, a character described as the farting bloke from Slow Horses with possibly the greatest haircut ever committed to film.
Luke Perry plays Billy, and Brion James plays General Munro. Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr. plays President Lindberg. The cast also includes other actors who appeared in notable roles across film and television.
Why the Film Still Works
The film is a wild ride, and Collider is happy to admit it. The movie is a product of its era — a time when big-budget science fiction leaned heavily into spectacle, and Besson delivered a film that is wonderfully bonkers.
The story moves fast, and the setup is deliberately absurd. A monk knows how to save the planet, a taxi driver becomes a hero, and an alien with carrot-top hair is the key to everything. The film asks you to accept these things quickly, and it does not spend much time explaining itself.
That willingness to commit to its own logic is part of what makes it enjoyable. The film trusts its audience to keep up, even when the rules start to bend. Willis’ Korben Dallas is a gruff, sarcastic presence, and Jovovich’s Leeloo is a force of nature. Oldman’s Zorg is a terrifying presence, and Tucker’s Ruby Rhod is a comic highlight.
Streaming on Netflix
The film is currently available to stream on Netflix in the United States. That availability gives viewers another chance to see Luc Besson’s work, especially for audiences who missed it the first time around.
The film is a product of its era, but it has aged well. Its spirit is intact, and its energy remains infectious. Watching it again on Netflix is a reminder of why it became a classic in the first place.
The Quiz Behind the Coverage
Collider’s coverage of the film comes with a quiz, titled “Sci-Fi Survival Quiz Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive?” The quiz asks eight questions about instinct, resource, threat, authority, environment, alliance, morality and purpose.
The quiz is designed to match readers with a sci-fi universe based on their personality. It offers five options: The Matrix, Mad Max, Blade Runner, Dune and Star Wars. Each option represents a different way the future went wrong, and the quiz uses your answers to determine which one fits you best.
The quiz is a playful addition to the coverage, and it gives readers a reason to engage with the material. It is a light-hearted way to connect with the film, and it draws attention to the broader sci-fi landscape.
A Case for Revisiting
The film is worth revisiting, according to Collider. It is a product of its era, but it has aged well. The cast is iconic, the premise is absurd, and the energy is infectious.
The film is currently streaming on Netflix in the United States, so the timing is perfect. It is a chance to see a classic on a platform that makes it easy to watch.
The film’s strengths are its commitment to its own rules and its willingness to lean into excess. The characters are memorable, and the performances hold up. The film’s status as a classic is well-deserved.
| Element | Role |
|---|---|
| Air, Water, Fire, Earth | The four elements united by the Fifth Element |
| Korben Dallas | Taxi driver and former secret agent |
| Leeloo | Alien with carrot-top hair |
| Zorg | Villain |
| Ruby Rhod | Comic relief |
The film is a product of its era, but it has aged well. The cast is iconic, the premise is absurd, and the energy is infectious. It is a film that rewards a second look, and the streaming availability makes it easy to revisit.
Source material: “Bruce Willis’ 126-Minute Sci-Fi Classic Is Officially a Netflix Hit,” Collider.
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