Home ›› 07 Oct 2022 ›› Show Biz
A new psychological horror film ‘Smile’ has Paramount executives beaming after topping the North American box office with an estimated $22 million in weekend ticket sales, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
The film is the disturbing tale of a therapist (Sosie Bacon, daughter of actors Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick) whose grasp on reality begins to slip after she witnesses a shocking and gruesome event involving a patient.
“This is an excellent opening, the kind that launches a new horror series,” said analyst David A Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. Such horror films, he noted, tend to have low budgets but loyal audiences -- two things studios love.
Indeed, another psychological horror film, Warner Bros.’ ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ placed second for the Friday-through-Sunday period, pulling in $7.3 million.
With Olivia Wilde acting and directing a cast that includes Florence Pugh, Chris Pine and pop icon Harry Styles, the film was last weekend’s Number One.
In third, also down one spot, was Sony’s history-inspired ‘The Woman King,’ at $7 million. Oscar winner Viola Davis stars as the leader of an all-female army of African warriors.
Fourth place went to Universal’s new release ‘Bros,’ at $4.8 million.
