We’re keeping a close watch on A24's “Past Lives” which has quickly become the most critically-acclaimed film of the year so far. Many pundits are even saying it’s an automatic Best Picture contender.
Celine Song’s film, which was released on Friday, grossed an estimated $232K this weekend from 4 locations in NY/LA — that’s a per-theater average of $58K.
In turn the film nabbed the fourth biggest opening per-theater-average of the decade, behind only “Licorice Pizza”, “Beau is Afraid”, and “Spider-Man: No Way Home”. What’s even more impressive is that “Past Lives” has no big-name actors behind or in front of the camera.
Now here’s why I believe we should wait until the film gets a wider release on June 23rd.
At each of the four locations there were Q&A screenings on both Friday and Saturday night. Lead actors Greta Lee and Teo Yoo did four Q&As in L.A. and filmmaker Song did four in NYC, moderated by Steve Buscemi.
All of these screenings, in large theaters, were said to be at full capacity. A24 knows how to build up hype via per-screen averages and that’s exactly what this is. They know the game and they’re playing it very well.
I gather some New York and L.A. readers went yo see it this weekend. Thoughts?