Beetlejuice sequel dominates box office as "The Killer's Game" flops

Some are joyful, others are saddened. "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" is breaking popularity records in the United States. Meanwhile, the debut title "The Killer's Game" has suffered a humiliating defeat. An American critic noted that while Bautista is clearly shedding pounds, audiences' interest in his films also seems to be diminishing.

"The Killer's Game" was advertised as a "John Wick" with Dave Bautista in the lead role. The actor, known for his roles in "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Dune," played Joe Flood, a professional killer who only eliminates those who deserve it. One day, the man learns that he is terminally ill and has only a few months to live. Upon hearing this diagnosis, Flood decides to shorten his dying process and puts out a contract on himself. From that moment, assassins from all over the world will be hunting him.

"The Killer's Game" was conceived as a comedic version of "John Wick," so the plot quickly twists. There was a mistake in the laboratory; the protagonist is perfectly healthy, and now he will try to set things right. "This film should never have been released in theatres. In the old days, it would have ended up in the video market and the DVD bargain bins in supermarkets," summed up one viewer.

However, poor reviews are not the film's biggest problem. This production, which cost about $30 million, earned only $2.6 million during its opening weekend in American theatres. The average revenue per theatre was $990 (a few viewers per screening), the lowest this year among titles that hit wide distribution.

Dave Bautista, who has not yet experienced such a severe failure in his acting career, recently surprised viewers with his new look. However, after losing over 66 pounds (he seems to have been in the process of doing so during the filming of "The Killer's Game"), he will have to rebuild his popularity. A critic from "Decider" observed that although Bautista is noticeably slimming down, the appeal of his film characters appears to be fading. According to the critic, many fans would prefer to see him reprise his role as Drax in "Guardians of the Galaxy."

The leader of the American box office remains "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" ($51 million during the second weekend), which is enjoying immense popularity in theatres across the ocean. The first part of the film, released in 1988, earned $73.7 million in theatres (10th place for the season), which, after adjusting for inflation, amounts to around $200 million. The sequel is set to become an even bigger hit in the United States. It currently has $188 million against its name. In the same period, "Dune: Part Two" amassed $157.2 million.