Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Friday Box Office: Horror Film “Abigail” Sort of Beats “Civil War” to Number 1, Not Really

Share

The really weird part of reporting the box office is the whole Thursday preview thing.

Hollywood pretends Thursday previews are just part of Friday openings, boosting the eventual opening day number with two nights of receipts.

So if you agree to these shenanigans then horror film “Abigail” was number 1 “last night,” and beat “Civil War,” on the box office list.

In reality, “Abigail” came in 2nd last night with $3 million as opposed to “Civil War” at $3.25 million.

The box office schedule is fairly sad, otherwise. Next week brings tennis and sex in “Challengers.” Then comes “The Fall Guy.” We are in a fallow period caused by last year’s strikes and the studios cutting back in revenge against the unions. Everyone loses!

But the box office gurus are saying “Abigail” made $4 million when if fact it took in $1 million on Thursday and $3 million last night.

That’s entertainment!

What is true is that “Civil War” is a dud, dropping 70% last night from last Friday. Alex Garland’s muddled movie makes no sense, is hard to follow, and of no importance. It’s a failed attempt to scare the audience, and Garland isn’t sure how he’s scaring us or what it’s about.

A better take on real dangers of a civil war come in a documentary by Charlie Sadoff and co-produced by Sebastian Junger called “Against All Enemies.” It’s streaming on amazon prime and other platforms. Sadoff interviews people who would hope to instigate a real civil war, like the heads of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. They actually want to overthrow our government. Frightening stuff that makes Garland’s movie look like a video game.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

Read more

In Other News