Dave Bautista’s ‘The Killer’s Game’ Eyes Modest Box Office

Action fans and Dave Bautista enthusiasts were likely pumped to see his latest film, The Killer’s Game, hit theaters on September 13, 2024.

But despite the star-studded cast and a promising premise, the movie is off to a slow start at the North American box office.

Let’s break down what’s happening with The Killer’s Game as it eyes a modest opening weekend.

Thursday Previews Signal a Rough Start

The film got its first taste of audience reactions during Thursday night previews on September 12.

However, it was far from a blockbuster-level showing. With just $300,000 from these early screenings, The Killer’s Game couldn’t quite compete with the weekend’s other major release, Speak No Evil.

Starring James McAvoy, the horror-thriller raked in $1.3 million in its own Thursday previews, leaving Bautista’s action comedy trailing by a significant margin.

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What Went Wrong? A Look at the Numbers

Lionsgate’s The Killer’s Game had plenty of potential to make a splash.

With a cast that included heavy hitters like Sofia Boutella, Pom Klementieff, and Terry Crews alongside Bautista, the film seemed poised for success.

But the numbers tell a different story. The action comedy is now expected to bring in between $1 million and $1.5 million on its opening day, including those earlier $300K preview earnings.

The outlook for the 3-day weekend doesn’t look much better. Industry estimates suggest the movie will gross between $2.5 million and $4 million during its first three days in theaters.

These figures are far from impressive, especially for a film featuring a Hollywood A-lister like Bautista.

Speak No Evil Outpaces The Killer’s Game

It’s hard not to make comparisons when two films open on the same weekend.

In this case, Speak No Evil is clearly outshining The Killer’s Game. The James McAvoy-led horror film is on track for a $5 million take on Friday alone and a projected $12.5 million weekend haul.

Not only is it winning at the box office, but it’s also receiving far more favorable reviews from critics and audiences alike.

On Rotten Tomatoes, Speak No Evil boasts an impressive 84% critic score, while The Killer’s Game falters with a dismal 29%. Ouch.

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Critical Reception: Humor Falls Flat

One of the key factors contributing to The Killer’s Game‘s slow start may be the poor reception it received from critics.

The film, which features Bautista as an assassin who accidentally orders a hit on himself after a terminal misdiagnosis, seemed like it could offer a fun blend of action and comedy.

Unfortunately, the execution hasn’t landed with critics.

IndieWire didn’t mince words in its review, stating, “There’s a lot of fun to be had in this premise, but as it goes on, Perry’s film struggles to make the most of it. The world he places us in feels frustratingly underdeveloped.”

It seems like while audiences were hoping for an action-packed thrill ride with a comedic twist, what they got was something that didn’t quite live up to its potential.

Box Office Estimates: What Does the Future Hold?

While it’s still early days, the box office numbers for The Killer’s Game are certainly disappointing for a movie with such a strong lead actor.

Bautista, who has successfully headlined major action films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Dune, wasn’t enough to pull this film out of the shadows of its competitors.

Of course, box office predictions are always just that—predictions.

The film could see a late surge in ticket sales over the weekend, but based on current estimates, The Killer’s Game will likely end its opening weekend with somewhere between $2.5 million and $4 million.

For comparison, Speak No Evil is projected to bring in more than triple that amount with its $12.5 million estimate.

The Verdict: A Disappointing Start for Dave Bautista’s Latest

The Killer’s Game seemed to have all the right ingredients for a successful box office run—big-name stars, an intriguing plot, and a mix of genres that can appeal to different audiences.

But its opening numbers and critical reception indicate it’s fallen flat.

With a weaker-than-expected debut and a lukewarm response from critics, Bautista’s latest action-comedy is struggling to find its footing against stronger competition.

For fans of the actor, it’s still worth checking out in theaters, but it looks like The Killer’s Game will need a bit of luck and strong word of mouth to make up for its rough start.

About Dave Bautista

Dave Bautista, full name David Michael Bautista Jr., is an American actor and former professional wrestler.

He rose to fame as a WWE wrestler, where he was known simply as “Batista,” and became one of the most popular and dominant figures in wrestling during the early 2000s.

Over the years, he won multiple WWE championships and became a fan favorite due to his imposing size, charisma, and in-ring skills.

Conclusion

• The Killer’s Game is off to a slow start at the North American box office, earning $300K from Thursday previews.
• Opening weekend projections estimate the film will gross between $2.5 million and $4 million.
• The film’s competition, Speak No Evil, is outperforming with a projected $12.5 million opening weekend.
• Critical reception has been lukewarm, with The Killer’s Game receiving a 29% Rotten Tomatoes score, compared to Speak No Evil‘s 84%.
• Despite its star-studded cast and promising premise, the film has struggled to connect with audiences and critics.
• The movie’s future success may depend on strong word of mouth to boost ticket sales in the coming weeks.

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