Universal’s journalism drama “She Said” has become one of the worst-performing wide releases in box office history, grossing a miserable $2.25 million from 2,022 theaters. But the film’s failure is just one example of several acclaimed prestige films that are getting Oscar buzz for tackling tough real-world topics but are being largely avoided by audiences looking for escapism at the multiplex.
Here’s a box office stat that will chill any studio exec with a mature awards contender: “Terrifier 2,” a gory indie slasher film that grossed $10.5 million in October, currently has a higher total than “She Said,” Focus Features’ “Tár,” United Artists’ “Till” or Searchlight Pictures’ “The Banshees of Inisherin,” all films predicted by awards gurus to have a significant presence on the Oscar nomination list.