Unraveling the Underperformance: Analyzing the Factors Behind “American Assassin” Box Office Struggles

In the dynamic world of action thrillers, “American Assassin” aimed to carve its niche, adapting Vince Flynn’s gripping novel into a cinematic experience. However, despite its star-studded cast featuring Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Taylor Kitsch, and Sanaa Lathan, the film faced challenges that led to its underwhelming box office performance in 2017.

 This blog post delves into the multifaceted reasons behind “American Assassin’s” struggles to resonate with audiences and make a significant impact at the box office.

American Assassin’s Box Office Struggles

Content and R-Rating

The film’s explicit content, graphic violence, gore, and strong language contributed to a distinctly adult tone, potentially alienating a broader audience more inclined toward PG-13 features. While many R-rated movies find success, the explicit aim for an R-rating may have limited the film’s potential audience, impacting its box office potential.

Critical Performance

“American Assassin” faced the sting of mediocre critical reviews, holding a mere 34% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 183 reviews. This consensus of unfavorable reviews likely influenced potential viewers’ decisions, affecting the film’s box office traction.

Budget Limitations

With a modest budget of $33 million, “American Assassin” faced limitations in delivering the ground-breaking special effects and stuntwork synonymous with major franchises like Bond and Mission: Impossible. The film’s inability to afford major set pieces typical in the action thriller genre may have hindered its visual appeal.

Inappropriate Resource Allocation

The film’s focus on ambitious set pieces, such as a tsunami scene, proved impractical within the constraints of its budget. This inappropriate allocation of resources may have compromised the overall quality of visual effects and action sequences, contributing to the underwhelming cinematic experience.

Unoriginal Storytelling

“American Assassin” followed a cliché revenge arc, lacking the innovation necessary to stand out in a genre known for its dynamic storytelling. The film’s narrative, centered on Mitch Rapp’s origins, adhered to a typical revenge arc without offering a fresh perspective, diminishing its appeal to audiences seeking originality.

Release Date and Competition

The film’s release date and competition within the box office landscape played a pivotal role in its struggles. The timing of its release and the presence of other major releases during that period could have diverted attention away from “American Assassin,” impacting its ability to draw audiences.