Overview

• The A24 biopic debuted in third place with about $6 million from roughly 3,345 theaters, marking the weakest opening of Johnson’s career.
• Critics were generally positive, with roughly a 73% Rotten Tomatoes score, but audiences issued a B- CinemaScore, pointing to soft word-of-mouth.
• Variety reports the budget and rollout leave A24 facing sizable losses, with breakeven estimated above $100 million given theatrical splits.
• Industry analysis cites an audience identity and marketing mismatch for Johnson’s dramatic pivot, with younger men dominating turnout and premium screens also pulled by Taylor Swift’s surprise concert film.
• Johnson responded on Instagram that box office cannot be controlled, praising director Benny Safdie and framing the Venice prize-winning project as an artistic success.