Indie Films ‘Eternity,’ ‘Rental Family,’ ‘Hamnet,’ and ‘The Secret Agent’: What Audiences Thought and How They Performed at the Box Office
Box Office Update: A24’s "Eternity" Gains Momentum Over Holiday Weekend
A24’s romantic comedy, Eternity, directed by David Freyne, debuted at number six at the domestic box office, grossing approximately $3.2 million during the three-day weekend and a total of $5.2 million over the five-day holiday period. The film, which screened on 1,348 screens, has garnered attention for its strong word-of-mouth appeal.
Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Eternity features a compelling love triangle among actors Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner, alongside Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and John Early. The film has received a Certified Fresh rating of 90% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, while critics have rated it at 75%. A wider release is anticipated next week.
Critics have compared Eternity to films like Priscilla and We Live in Time, which also started in limited locations but expanded to more robust nationwide runs. For context, We Live in Time moved from 985 to 2,900 theaters, ultimately grossing nearly $25 million. Similarly, Priscilla expanded from 1,300 to 2,300 screens, resulting in a total gross of $21 million.
Despite a challenging landscape filled with competing releases, Eternity has resonated with audiences. One indie distribution CEO commented, “Crowded, but good to see people out in cinemas.”
In other box office news, Focus Features’ Hamnet, an Oscar contender directed by Chloe Zhao, opened with $880,000 across 119 theaters, placing it at number eight. The film, which explores themes of love and loss that inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is estimated to earn around $1.35 million over the five-day period. With a cast that includes Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, it has received favorable ratings of 91% from audiences and 89% from critics.
Rental Family, from Searchlight Pictures, remains steady in its second week at number seven, pulling in $2.1 million over the weekend and a total of $3.1 million for the five days, amassing a cumulative gross of $7.4 million. The film, which features Brendan Fraser, enjoys a remarkable 96% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Nuremberg, now in its fourth week, continues to perform well, bringing in $749,000 from 540 screens for a total of $12.5 million. Directed by James Vanderbilt and starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, it holds a 96% audience rating despite a lower 70% from critics.
In limited releases, Neon’s political thriller The Secret Agent debuted to $46,000 over the three-day weekend, totaling $70.6 million across five days from just two theaters. Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and recognized with accolades at Cannes, it currently boasts a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Similarly, the tribute concert film You Got Gold: A Celebration Of John Prine, directed by Michael John Warren, launched to $10,300 at the Quad in New York City. Another limited release, The Tale of Silyan, directed by Tamara Kotevska, earned $6,500 at the IFC Center in New York.
As the competitive landscape continues to evolve, Eternity and its fellow films are navigating a shifting market where original content and romantic comedies are finding their footing post-pandemic.
