The adult-drama/awards season got off to a slow start Wednesday, with the Helen Mirren thriller "The Debt" opening to only $958,670 at 1,768 locations in the U.S. and Canada, according to estimates from distributor Focus Features.

The John Madden-directed film averaged only around $541 per theater.

With the film ranking No. 2 amid a domestic box office that was slow overall Wednesday, Focus officials insist "there is demand for the film" and expect business to pick up over the holiday weekend.

TheWrap will file a full box office report later on Thursday. You'll want to cancel any wedding plans or time with the kids to be there.

Focus also noted that its August 2005 release of "The Constant Gardener" grossed a similar $929,828 while opening on a pre-Labor Day Wednesay, although that was at 1,324 locations.

Film co-star Rachel Weisz won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, while the $25 million movie went on to gross an impressive $82.5 million at the global box office.