‘Speak No Evil’ Previews Yield $1.3 Million, Setting Stage for Full Release

This weekend, “Speak No Evil” is set to grab attention at the box office. The horror remake from Universal and Blumhouse, a fresh take on the chilling Danish film released two years ago, has already earned $1.3 million from preview screenings. With a budget of just $15 million, the film is projected to earn between $10 million and $13 million in its opening weekend, which would be a promising start.

However, “Speak No Evil” faces tough competition from Warner Bros.’ “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” which debuted strongly with $111 million last weekend and is expected to retain the top spot for a second week. The Tim Burton sequel is anticipated to see a 60% drop in ticket sales, bringing its second-week total to around $45 million. Directed by James Watkins, known for “Bastille Day,” “Speak No Evil” is a psychological thriller about a seemingly idyllic vacation that devolves into a nightmare.

The plot follows American couple Louise and Ben, played by Davis and Scoot McNairy, who meet a peculiar British couple, Paddy and Ciara, portrayed by McAvoy and Aisling Franciosi, during their trip. The film, which premiered in the Midnight section of the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, was acclaimed for its dark narrative and character development.

Also premiering this weekend is Lionsgate’s “The Killer’s Game,” featuring Dave Bautista, Sofia Boutella, Pom Klementieff, and Terry Crews. Bautista plays an assassin who mistakenly believes he has a terminal illness and inadvertently puts a hit on himself, only to find out the diagnosis was incorrect. The action film is projected to open with around $5 million, having made $300,000 in previews.