Unexpected Box‑Office Woes for Romantic Thriller

The highly anticipated romantic thriller, featuring a well‑known actress and her co‑star, failed to meet expectations at the box office.

Opening Weekend
Expected: $40 million over four days
Actual: $13.3 million on Friday
Studio Concerns
Studio paid $80 million for worldwide rights, after a rival streaming service offered twice that amount.
Marketing targeted younger audiences; over half of ticket buyers were under 35.
Critical Reception
Rotten‑Tomatoes approval: 63 %
Audience score: 84 %
Mixed reviews: praised performances and fresh take, but criticized lack of drama.

Comparative Performance
Other releases (family‑friendly animated adventure, action crime drama) exceeded expectations and received strong critical support.
Studio History
Known for backing daring projects: past successes include an Academy‑Award‑nominated film and an original hit.
Future Outlook
The holiday box‑office remains competitive.
Film may gain traction through word‑of‑mouth and upcoming overseas releases next week.