The box office had a bit of drama this weekend, and not just on-screen. Universal’s “Him” made a decent splash, while Sony’s “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” stumbled badly out of the gate.
“Him” – A Faustian Football Tale
Directed by Justin Tipping and produced under Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw banner, Him tells the story of a rising quarterback (Tyriq Withers) tempted to sell his soul for greatness, guided by his mentor (Marlon Wayans). The mix of sports, horror, and psychological tension feels fresh on paper.
At the box office, the film pulled in $6.47 million on opening day, including $2 million from previews. It’s headed toward a $15 million opening weekend — not quite the $18M+ some expected, but not disastrous either considering the $27M budget. The big catch? Audiences and critics aren’t impressed. It landed a C- CinemaScore, which usually signals weak word-of-mouth. The direction is stylish and some visuals stand out, but the storytelling seems too uneven to win over the broader crowd.
“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” – Star Power That Fell Flat
This cosmic romance fantasy looked promising, starring Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie (her first theatrical film since Barbie), directed by indie darling Kogonada. Sony paid a hefty $45M for worldwide rights, betting on originality and star power. Unfortunately, it only managed $1.4 million on Friday including previews and probably won’t even reach half its projected $8M debut.
The film has some dreamlike visuals and an ambitious vision, but critics weren’t sold, giving it mostly negative reviews. Audiences were slightly kinder with a B- CinemaScore, but that won’t be enough to keep it afloat. It’s one of those movies that looks better on paper than in theaters.
The Bigger Picture
Meanwhile, anime blockbuster “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” continues to dominate with another $16M+ weekend, crossing the $100M domestic mark — the highest-grossing anime film ever in North America. Horror fans are still turning out for The Conjuring: Last Rites, and Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is holding steady with its loyal fan base.
Final Take
- Him has an intriguing premise and some standout performances, but weak reviews and poor audience scores could hurt its staying power.
- A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is a clear misfire, showing that not even A-list stars and a visionary director can save a film without strong execution.
If you’re looking for crowd-pleasing entertainment, Demon Slayer and The Conjuring are still your safer bets.
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