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Warner Bros.' brand-new project from director Olivia Wilde, Don't Worry Darling, generated an estimated $3.1 million from Thursday night previews on the eve of the project's official release. The controversy-riddled film looks to accumulate roughly over $20 million across its three-day theatrical opening.
The newly released Warner Bros. film is Wilde's second directorial outing, following the debut of her well-received directorial arrival with 2019's Booksmart. Wilde's newest cinematic venture is a psychological thriller set in a picturesque 1950s town. The film features Hawkeye star Florence Pugh, who serves as the story's centerpiece, portraying Alice Chambers. The film follows Alice as she unearths secrets kept hidden by her husband, Jack Chambers, played by musical artist Harry Styles.
Per Deadline, Don't Worry Darling took home $3.1 million after its Thursday night showings, setting the stage for what could be an impressive opening weekend for a film submerged in controversy and unfavorable reviews from critics. Warner Bros. initially projected the film to generate $17 million by the end of its premiere weekend, but the industry outlook sees the film taking home between $20 and $26 million. Should Don't Worry Darling meet or surpass these figures, it would dethrone last weekend's top box office performer, The Woman King, which earned $19 million to conclude its premiere weekend.
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It is unclear where Don't Worry Darling will stand once the dust settles, but what is evident is the film's mixed reception from audiences and critics. As stated, critics have not been shy about voicing their displeasure surrounding the project since its Venice Film Festival premiere, highlighted in the film's 36% Rotten Tomatoes score. Audiences, however, seem to be enjoying the new Wilde outing, which is evident in the 87% audience score for the film. Reactions may tilt toward negativity due to Don't Worry Darling's off-screen issues. However, they may equally lean toward positivity because of the fandom surrounding Styles, but time will tell where the film will rank on Wilde's catalog once the reception balances itself out.
Competing with Don't Worry Darling this weekend is the theatrical re-release of James Cameron's Avatar, which is back in theaters ahead of the December release Avatar: The Way of Water. The Wilde-directed film should have no issue outpacing the Pandora-based sequel, but audience attendance has been a complicated code to crack throughout the year. Don't Worry Darling teeters on a balance beam that can only go in two directions. Either the film can harness the anticipation it has generated for months to usher audiences into theaters, or it will succumb to the controversy and unfavorable reviews to conclude its opening weekend with a less than impressive number.
Don't Worry Darling is currently playing in theaters.
Source: Deadline