With ‘Barbarian’ at the gate, North American moviegoers shiver

LOS ANGELES – ‘Barbarian', a new horror film with a modern twist, has scared its way to the top of North America's box office, earning an estimated US$10 million (about RM49.02 million) on yet another slow movie weekend, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said on Sunday.

The film, from 20th Century and New Regency, tells the story of a woman (played by English actress Georgina Campbell) who checks into an AirBnB-type house in a sketchy Detroit neighborhood only to find it has also been booked by Bill Skarsgard – yes, the diabolical clown in the fright-filled 'It' movies. Justin Long also stars.

'Barbarian' has enjoyed strong reviews, with Variety calling it a "new horror classic." David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research said its debut was "a good opening" for a low-budget horror film.

Another new release, fantasy adventure film 'Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva' from Disney subsidiary Star Studios, took in US$4.4 million for second place – a surprisingly strong showing for a Hindi-language Bollywood production playing in only 810 theatres.

It follows a young man named Shiva in modern-day India where his love for young Isha is complicated by his unexpected connection to a secret society. This is the first chapter in a trilogy.

In third place, down one spot from last weekend, was Sony action thriller 'Bullet Train', at US$3.3 million. Brad Pitt stars as a paid killer on a high-speed Japanese train.

Meantime, Paramount's enduring action flick 'Top Gun: Maverick' – which placed a surprising first last weekend in its 15th week out – lost a bit of altitude. It took in US$3.2 million for fourth place, even while nearing the US$750 million mark overseas.

And in fifth, down one notch from last weekend, was Warner Bros' family-friendly animation 'DC League of Super-Pets', at US$2.8 million.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

'The Invitation' (US$2.6 million)

'Lifemark' (US$2.2 million)

'Beast' (US$1.8 million)

'Minions: The Rise of Gru' (US$1.7 million)

'Spider-Man: No Way Home' (US$1.3 million) – AFP, September 12, 2022