Overview
- The film opened in U.S. theaters on Friday, Sept. 18, and built solid early momentum with about $8.8 million in Thursday previews.
- Critics broadly praised the movie’s technical craft, citing tactile practical creature effects, game-like camera work and a taut survival-horror tone.
- Some reviewers faulted the screenplay for thin character work and narrative logic, and many franchise fans have pushed back on the choice to center an original protagonist instead of legacy characters.
- Produced for a reported $75 million, the release’s weekend performance will be decisive for Sony in deciding whether to greenlight sequels using Cregger’s standalone approach.
- Under Sony’s Pay-1 deal, U.S. streaming analysts expect a Netflix debut roughly 120 days after the theatrical launch unless the studio extends the theatrical window.