Overview
- The film opened in U.S. theaters on Friday, Aug. 28, and earned about $1.7 million in Thursday previews, roughly $5.2–5.3 million on Friday, and a projected opening weekend in the $13–14 million range.
- Warner Bros. shelved the finished picture in November 2023 and reportedly planned a roughly $30 million tax write-down; Ketchup Entertainment bought worldwide rights for about $50 million and spent an estimated $10 million on marketing.
- Critics and audiences have responded strongly, with roughly a 95–96% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, an A CinemaScore, and PostTrak results showing about 93% positive and 82% definite recommend rates.
- The release shows how fan advocacy, earned media and targeted indie distribution turned controversy into measurable box-office returns by converting public attention into ticket sales.
- Industry watchers say the film’s rescue and performance could spur closer scrutiny of studio shelving practices, influence future distribution deals, and shape discussions about release strategies and streaming windows.