The Laundromat

Steven Soderbergh’s "The Laundromat" Unleashes Star Power on the Festival Circuit

Steven Soderbergh’s The Laundromat (2019) arrived with the kind of star-studded buzz that only a project about global financial corruption—and a cast led by Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, and Antonio Banderas—could deliver. Premiering at the Venice Film Festival in 2019, the film quickly became a talking point, not just for its subject matter but for the behind-the-scenes energy of its ensemble. latestnetflix.com's read is that here’s what we know about the making and reception of this Netflix-backed drama.

A Star-Studded Premiere and Festival Buzz

The Laundromat made its debut at the Venice Film Festival, where Soderbergh, Streep, and Oldman took the stage to introduce the film . The event was a clear signal of the movie’s ambitions: a high-profile, star-driven takedown of offshore tax havens, inspired by the real-life Panama Papers scandal. The film’s festival run didn’t stop there—it also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where Streep and Oldman participated in a post-screening Q&A, diving into the film’s themes of "crimes against humanity" and the moral rot of financial secrecy .

The red carpet moments were equally electric. Streep’s arrival at the Venice premiere, captured in clips, showcased her signature poise, while the TIFF Q&A revealed a cast deeply engaged with the material . The film’s festival circuit appearances were a masterclass in leveraging star power to amplify its message—even if the critical reception would later prove divisive.

The Netflix Factor: Streep’s Take on the Streaming Giant

One of the most intriguing behind-the-scenes angles was Streep’s public embrace of Netflix as a distribution platform. In interviews tied to the film’s release, she praised the streaming service for its ability to reach global audiences, calling it a "powerful" tool for storytelling . This was a notable endorsement at a time when Netflix was still battling skepticism from traditional Hollywood circles.

Streep’s enthusiasm wasn’t just lip service. The film’s Netflix backing meant it bypassed a traditional theatrical release, a move that aligned with Soderbergh’s history of experimenting with distribution models. While the platform’s involvement didn’t guarantee critical success, it did ensure the film had a built-in audience—and a high-profile trailer to match .

Mixed Reviews and the Soderbergh Touch

Despite the star power and timely subject matter, The Laundromat received a lukewarm critical response. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a modest rating, with reviewers praising the performances but critiquing its narrative structure . Some outlets, like SensCritique, gave it a middling 6/10, calling it a "dramatic" take on the Panama Papers but stopping short of declaring it a must-see .

Soderbergh’s involvement, however, was never in question. The director, known for his versatility and technical prowess (as noted in his bio ), brought his signature efficiency to the project. Whether that translated into a cohesive film, though, was up for debate. The Q&A at TIFF hinted at the cast’s pride in the material, but the final product left some critics wanting more .

The Verdict: A Star Vehicle with a Message

The Laundromat may not have been a critical darling, but it was undeniably a vehicle for its stars to flex their dramatic chops—and for Soderbergh to tackle a real-world scandal with his trademark flair. The film’s festival appearances, Streep’s Netflix advocacy, and the ensemble’s chemistry all added layers to its behind-the-scenes story. Whether it will be remembered as a bold experiment or a missed opportunity remains to be seen, but for a moment in 2019, it had Hollywood’s attention.