Topline
Horror flick “Obsession” is slated to gross more money in its second weekend than its debut weekend, according to multiple reports, potentially pulling off an extremely rare feat for a widely distributed film, as “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” is poised for an $82 million debut for its first three days at the box office.
Curry Barker, Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston attend the Los Angeles Special Screening of “Obsession.”
Photo by Brianna Bryson/FilmMagic
Key Facts
“Obsession,” which drew in a little over $17 million in its first weekend, is on track to gross $22 million through Sunday—an increase Variety called “virtually unprecedented.”
The horror movie, spearheaded by a buzzy and highly acclaimed performance from Inde Navarrette, has pulled in $44.1 million at the box office worldwide, according to data from Box Office Mojo.
“Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” reportedly grossed $82 million through Sunday as part of a $102 million debut over the four-day Memorial Day weekend, which is largely in line with expectations but could mark the slowest start for a “Star Wars” movie ever.
The sci-fi adventure has a 62% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, though it boasts an 89% rating from audience members.
Michael Jackson biopic, “Michael,” is No. 3 at the box office and projected to gross roughly $20 million in its fifth weekend, according to three-day estimates from Variety and Deadline.
Surprising Fact
“Obsession” has grossed more than 44 times its budget in a little over a week. The movie has a reported budget of around $750,000 to $1 million.
Key Background
Widely distributed movies almost always drop in box office sales during their second weekend, which is what makes the box office performance from “Obsession” so stark alongside its modest budget and its place as director Curry Barker’s first major studio feature. The movie centers around a shy music store employee’s wish for his childhood crush to fall in love with him, exploring themes of coercion, loss of autonomy and toxic romance. Critics and audiences alike have drawn comparisons between Navarrette’s portrayal as Nikki in “Obsession” and Toni Collette’s powerhouse performance in “Hereditary,” one of the most critically acclaimed horror movies of all time. Barker, who got his start posting comedy sketches and short films to YouTube, will remain active in the horror genre as he directs a reimaging of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” for A24, which is in pre-production.
Further Reading
‘Obsession’ Is About To Hit Two Wild Box Office Milestones (Forbes)