Topline
Sound of Freedom—the surprise box office hit based on a former government agent’s pursuit to rescue child sex trafficking victims—has grossed more than $100 million at the domestic box office, Variety reported Thursday, despite the scrutiny the film has received for its lead actor’s ties to conspiracy theories.
Key Facts
Sound of Freedom became the first indie film in the post-pandemic era to cross the $100 million mark in North America Thursday, doing so after three weeks in theaters, Variety reported.
The anti-child sex-trafficking film places among the top 20 biggest releases of the year, ahead of a number of films with star-studded casts like Jennifer Lawrence’s No Hard Feelings and Magic Mike’s Last Dance—a striking feat given the film’s $14.5 million budget.
So far this year, it is the 16th-highest grossing North American film of the year and if it keeps climbing it’s likely to surpass Scream VI, currently ranked 14th with $108 million, and The Flash, currently ranked 15th with $107 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
In its opening weekend—the film opened Tuesday July 4—Sound of Freedom placed third behind Insidious: The Red Door and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
What We Don’t Know
The film’s distributor Angels Studios is using an unorthodox “Pay It Forward” program that allows supporters to purchase tickets online for individuals who might otherwise not see the film. It’s unclear how much this is helping increase the popularity of the film.
Key Background
The crowd-funded film is based on the true story of Tim Ballard, a former Department of Homeland Security agent, who tries to save children who have been sex trafficked. While Ballard has not claimed to conduct a mission exactly like the one in the film, the movie ends with a montage from Ballard’s organizations’ real missions in Colombia. It’s become a darling for conservative audiences and a favorite for commentators and politicians alike. But the film has been criticized for its the way it portrays child exploitation and because both Ballard and Jim Caviezel, who plays him in the film, have expressed openness to QAnon or similar conspiracy theories in the past. Caviezel has spoken at multiple QAnon events where he elevated the adrenochrome conspiracy theory, which claims child trafficking rings drain their victims’ blood to harvest adrenochrome—a chemical some conspiracy theorists believe people in Hollywood inject to stay young. Meanwhile, Ballard previously appeared open to the debunked theory that the furniture retailer Wayfair was selling children. Additionally, Operation Underground Railroad, the organization Ballard founded, has allegedly exaggerated its role in sex-trafficking rescues, according to a Vice investigation. Multiple law enforcement agencies told Vice Operation Underground Railroad’s role was “insubstantial.” Angel Studios, the film’s distributor, has denied the film is connected to conspiracy theories.
Big Number
74%. That’s the critics’ score the film received on Rotten Tomatoes.
Further Reading
The Adrenochrome Conspiracy Theory—Pushed By ‘Sound Of Freedom’ Star—Explained (Forbes)
Controversial Hit ‘Sound Of Freedom’ Crosses $50 Million At U.S. Box Office, Report Says (Forbes)
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July 21, 2023 at 01:12AM
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‘Sound Of Freedom’ Hits $100 Million At Box Office Despite Scrutiny - Forbes
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