John Travolta has created several timeless films throughout his successful career, such as “Saturday Night Fever,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Grease,” “Get Shorty,” and “Primary Colors.” The enduring A-list Hollywood star, however, has also had his share of misfires. His most recent film release could be seen as the latter. 

“High Rollers,” a follow-up to “Cash Out,” the 2024 film featuring Travolta’s character, Mason Goddard, stealing from a bank, remains available in select theaters across the United States and the United Kingdom. Up to now, both critics and viewers have mostly rejected the 102-minute film. 

In “High Rollers,” Travolta returns to the character of Goddard. In this scenario, the seasoned criminal needs to infiltrate a casino resort's safe to ensure the return of his abducted girlfriend, portrayed by Gina Gershon, who previously acted alongside Travolta in “Face/Off.” 

“High Rollers” was partially shot in April 2023 at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Scarlet Pearl by the Biloxi Back Bay. Earlier this year, Travolta returned to the city to shoot a sequel to “High Rollers” slated for release next year. 

The third entry in the “Cash Out” series may be somewhat hasty, as there might not be significant enthusiasm for a trilogy following what some reviewers described as a major Hollywood failure. 

“High Rollers” Breaks 

On IMDb, Travolta's newest film holds a rating of 3.8/10 derived from over 1,000 reviews. On Google, the average score for 53 reviews is only 1.6 out of 5. 

Leslie Felperin, a film reviewer for The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and The Guardian, labeled “High Rollers” a “low-budget imitation of ‘Ocean’s Eleven.'” Her assessment didn't become more favorable from that point onward.

‘High Rollers’ is a heart-slowing work of staggering stupidity and charmlessness, ineptly made and quite frankly dull except when its flaws become so egregious you can’t help but guffaw,” Felperin opined.

Felperin also targeted the Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort, where some filming occurred, marketed as a high-end casino in the film.

"When we see its interior — all lurid carpeting and easily wipeable soft furnishings — it looks less like Monte Carlo’s finest than the kind of seedy regional gambling den that the producers could hire cheaply,” Felperin declared.

Writing in Screen Rant, critic Mary Kassel said “High Rollers” is “neither fun nor engaging” and left her “wondering when it would end.”

Travolta’s Lowest Point 

Is "High Rollers" one of John Travolta's least impressive films? It encounters intense rivalry, since Travolta has produced several notorious films previously. 

Travolta has received 11 nominations for Golden Raspberry Awards. The Razzies are satirical awards that honor the least impressive films and acting each year. 

In 2001 for “Battlefield Earth,” Travolta received Worst Actor and Worst Screen Couple for “anyone on screen with him.” In 2010, he received a nomination for “Worst Actor of the Decade” for his roles in “Battlefield Earth,” “Domestic Disturbance,” “Lucky Numbers,” “Old Dogs,” and “Swordfish.” 

He also received the Worst Actor Razzie in 2020 for “The Fanatic” and “Trading Point.” Other Travolta films that received Razzie nominations are “Staying Alive,” “Two of a Kind,” “Perfect,” “The Experts,”