Actor and filmmaker Ben Stiller has come to the defense of Sinners, a genre-blending thriller starring Michael B Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld, after a headline downplayed its global box office success. The film, which released on April 18 under Warner Bros., secured a $61 million opening worldwide, a strong showing for an original R-rated film.
The controversy began when entertainment outlet Variety posted a headline on X (formerly Twitter) describing Sinners‘ debut as commendable but cautioned that profitability remained distant due to its $90 million production cost before marketing. Ben Stiller responded sharply, questioning the narrative: “In what universe does a 60 million dollar opening for an original studio movie warrant this headline?” His post quickly gained traction and went viral, earning praise from fans and industry peers alike.
He reinforced his viewpoint in a reply to another user who said, “60 mill seems like a killer opening weekend,” by simply stating, “It is.” Fans chimed in supporting Stiller, criticizing the negative framing of original content’s success and the high expectations placed on box office profitability in the early days of release.
Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, follows the story of identical twin brothers Smoke and Stack, portrayed by Michael B Jordan, who return to their hometown in Mississippi during the racially segregated Jim Crow era of 1932. Their attempt to escape a violent past is thwarted by a darker force awaiting them. The film has received widespread critical acclaim, currently boasting a 98% critics score and a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The backlash against the initial box office analysis has reignited a broader industry discussion about the challenges original films face in a franchise-dominated market. Stiller’s strong stance has fueled support for creators willing to take risks on unique and powerful storytelling.
