Barbarian, an original horror film from 20th Century Studios, is still doing well in cinemas after three weeks, so the studio decided to distribute it in even more locations. The film’s opening weekend gross of $10 million in 2,340 cinemas was helped by positive word of mouth. After only 14 days in theatres in the United States, the horror picture Barbarian has grossed $23,083,169, bringing its global total to $24,119,359. The horror film, written and directed by Whitest Kids U’ Know alum Zach Cregger, is opening on 550 more screens this weekend, according to Exhibitor Relations. With this increase, the total number of theatres showing Barbarian in the United States this weekend rises to 2,890, up from 2,340 during its first weekend.
Fans of the horror genre have been flocking to theatres ever since the film’s September 9 release. The film stars Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgard, and Justin Long. In the opening scene of Barbarian, Tess (Campbell) pulls up to a fairly regular house in a Detroit neighbourhood during a rainstorm. Without giving too much away about the film’s intriguing premise, this is where things become interesting. After a long day of travelling for a job interview the next day, she tries to check into her Airbnb, only to be greeted by Keith (Skarsgrd). It’s late in the day, so the two soon figure out that the property must have been double booked and, despite their initial frustration, agree to stay there together.
The two are initially apprehensive of each other, but they eventually become good friends and share a bottle of wine before retiring to their own bedrooms for the night. They are awakened in the wee hours of the morning, but Tess still makes it to her job interview. When Tess goes to the villa to retrieve her belongings, the narrative, which might easily be made into a romantic comedy (and is, practically, in Netflix’s Love in the Villa), is thrown on its head when she uncovers a hidden room. I’m confused as to Long’s role in the movie. A trip to the movies should help with that. Cast members Richard Brake (31), Matthew Patrick Davis (Dwight in Shining Armor), Kurt Braunohler (Big Sick), Jaymes Butler (Resident Evil), and Kate Bosworth join Campbell, Skarsgrd, and Long in Barbarian (Superman Returns).
It’s a change of pace for Cregger, who was one of the original members of the sketch comedy group Whitest Kids U’ Know, to write, direct, and even star in a feature film. A group of people including Arnon Milchan, Roy Lee, Raphael Margules, and J.D. Lifshitz served as producers on Barbarian. The executive producers are Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer, Natalie Lehmann, Danny Chan, Alex Lebovici, and Stellan Skarsgard. The movie “Barbarian” is now playing.