Horror Revival: Blumhouse's "Other Mommy" Eyes $30M Debut

As the theatrical market quiets, two films are set to lead the weekend: Universal/Blumhouse-Atomic Monster's original horror "Other Mommy" and Sony/Columbia/Alcon's "The Social Reckoning." "Other Mommy," featuring Jessica Chastain, is projected for a $24 million domestic opening, with projections nearing $30 million. This would align with previous successes like "The Black Phone." The film's trailers have generated interest, reminiscent of "The Black Phone's" villainous turn.

In contrast, "The Social Reckoning," a companion to "The Social Network," is tracking for an opening below $10 million, less than half of its predecessor's debut. Films addressing politics and current events have struggled post-pandemic. Despite a $40 million budget, "The Social Reckoning's" anticipated performance highlights a shift in audience tastes away from sober, contemporary themes without additional hooks, as demonstrated by the underperformance of other recent political dramas.