Animal, the latest Bollywood film starring Ranbir Kapoor, is generating a lot of buzz as it prepares for its North American opening day. With Thursday previews raking in just over $1.25 million, it seems that Animal is poised to have the biggest Bollywood opening day since last year’s Brahmastra Part 1: Shiva. This Hindi revenge thriller by Sandeep Reddy Vanga revolves around a toxic relationship between a son and his idolized father. As it opens on 700 screens, including nearly 100 in Canada, and garners attention with its subtitled trailer boasting 81 million views, Animal is off to a promising start. The film also features Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, and Rashmika Mandanna in supporting roles. Despite the violent content and the equivalent of an R rating in India, Animal’s opening numbers look incredibly strong, even though it may deter some families from attending. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Pranay Reddy Vanga, Murad Khetani, and Krishan Kumar, with distribution by Moksha Movies and Nirvana Cinemas.
Eileen: A Chilling Tale of Friendship and Secrets
Neon presents Eileen, a Sundance-premiering film starring Anne Hathaway and directed by William Oldroyd. Based on the 2015 debut novel by Otessa Moshfegh, Eileen is set during a bitterly cold 1964 Massachusetts winter. The story follows young secretary Eileen (played by Thomasin McKenzie) who becomes captivated by the glamorous new counselor Rebecca (Hathaway) at the prison where she works. What starts as a budding friendship takes a twisted turn when Rebecca reveals a dark secret, leading Eileen down a sinister path. Shea Whigham, Marin Ireland, and Owen Teague round out the cast. Adapted for the screen by Moshfegh and Luke Goebel, Eileen opens in limited release at six theaters in New York City, Los Angeles, and Austin. The film will expand to 400-600 screens in the following week.
Utopia releases The Sweet East, the directorial debut of NYC cinematographer Sean Price Williams. Anticipating a strong opening weekend, the distributor plans to employ a “road show” release strategy. The film will move from East to West, starting in Long Island, New York, and making its way through Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus. The purpose of this approach is to build word-of-mouth before arriving in Los Angeles. Utopia, known for films like Shiva Baby and Holy Spider, aims to cultivate an audience of cinephiles in a crowded market. The Sweet East follows Lillian (played by Talia Ryder), a high school senior from South Carolina who embarks on a picaresque journey through the cities and woods of the U.S. Eastern seaboard. The film offers a glimpse of the wider world and the contemporary unreality of modern life. Earl Cave, Ayo Edebiri, Simon Rex, and Jacob Elordi also star.
Greenwich Entertainment presents Pianoforte, a documentary by Jakub Piatek. The film follows young musicians from around the world as they prepare to compete in the legendary International Chopin Piano Competition, held every five years in Warsaw, Poland. Pianoforte offers an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the triumphs and struggles of the competition, showcasing the dedication and talent of these young performers. After opening in New York City, the film will expand to Los Angeles on December 15.
Expansion of Other Films
Several other films are also expanding their release this week. Dream Scenario, directed by Kristoffer Borgli and starring Nicolas Cage, will see a leap from 124 screens to 1,500 screens following a slow rollout. This dark comedy, about a nerdy professor who starts appearing in random people’s dreams, will feature special appearances by Cage at screenings in Los Angeles. Saltburn, a film by Amazon/MGM, is being shown on 1,566 screens, while The Holdovers by Focus Features is on 1,311 screens. Bradley Cooper’s Maestro, distributed by Netflix, will expand to 40 theaters in ten markets. Additionally, Tod Hayves’ May December will continue its run in 40 theaters across 15 markets.
Animal’s strong start at the box office indicates its potential for success in the North American market. Eileen, The Sweet East, and Pianoforte offer audiences unique stories and perspectives, expanding the range of cinema available. The expansion of other films also adds to the diversity of options for moviegoers. As the year continues, it will be interesting to see how these films fare and what new cinematic experiences await audiences.