By Jonathan Klotz | Published
Sydney Sweeney has had a tough time at the box office this year, with her two small productions, Eden And Christiewithout even managing to earn $2 million nationally. His latest film, The cleaning ladyadapts the hit 2022 erotic thriller by Freida McFadden (a pseudonym), and is on track to break its box office curse with an opening weekend of around $19 million.
The cleaning lady box office performance isn’t bad for a throwback to the ’90s era of erotic thrillers. It’s also lower than the opening weekend of Davidan epic biblical animated sequel to the series Young David it grossed $22 million and counting, proving that Sweeney’s curse has been broken in the strangest way possible.
Erotic thriller vs. Biblical family film
The cleaning lady pairs Sweeney as Millie, the housekeeper, with Amanda Seyfried as Nina, the wealthy, ailing wife who needs help maintaining the house. It’s the kind of boilerplate adult thriller that was once the backbone of movie theaters but disappeared post-COVID. With a reported budget of just $35 million and a smart, targeted marketing campaign, the company will turn a profit and be successful. However, no one would have ever expected it David to make it a close race.
Adapted from the book of Samuel, David comes from the controversial crowdfunding-based Angle Studios, the same company behind 2023’s surprise hit, The sound of freedom. Movie buffs consider the use of a “pay it forward” marketing campaign in which fans buy tickets to subsequent theater shows from anyone interested to be a fraud on the system. On the other hand, it’s also a good idea for the Christian company to develop content for its target audience with the precision of a laser-guided warhead, for weekends like this where religious groups come together en masse to support a Christian film.
Sydney Sweeney’s fan base is terminally ill
Money is money, and everything spends the same, but even though Angel Studios knows what they’re doing with each film, the distribution deal for the next one Animal Farm adaptation will put this to the test. Sydney Sweeny seems like she takes jobs without a plan.
Following his breakthrough on Euphoriathe actress starred in a romantic comedy (Anyone but you), several low-budget biopics (Reality, Christie), the worst Spider-Man adjacent movie of all time (Madame Web), and a horror film (Immaculate). Sweeney’s fan base is not due to his acting, and it is clear that they are not involved in his film projects, but in the relative success of The cleaning lady, she could settle in and become the new go-to starlet of modern erotic thrillers.
It’s been said for years that Hollywood wasn’t making new stars, and then Zendaya, Tom Holland and Timothée Chalamet arrived. Austin Butler can win awards in his sleep and Florence Pugh should be the new face of the Marvel Universe. Stars are being formed, but it is becoming more and more difficult for them to get their butts in seats. If everyone who wrote online about Sweeney’s jeans ad had bought a ticket, it wouldn’t be third behind an animated Bible adaptation.
One day Sydney Sweeney will have a hit movie, whether it’s the movie that’s been simmering for a long time Barbara the live-action Gundam remake or film remains to be seen. His curse has been broken, but there is still much work to be done, and at least, that of David This weekend’s win is a stark reminder that clicks, likes and influence mean nothing if you can’t back them up.
