Michael Keaton’s career has seen many twists, including a film that unexpectedly changed Hollywood. The movie in question is “White Noise,” released in January 2005. This supernatural horror film became notorious for its poor reviews but achieved surprising commercial success.
White Noise: The Unlikely Hit
“White Noise” is Michael Keaton’s only horror film. It received the worst reviews among his works but grossed over ten times its budget. Released in the first weekend of January, a time typically considered unfavorable for new films, it defied expectations.
The Impact on Hollywood
Following “White Noise,” the film industry saw a shift in strategy. Universal Pictures’ Adam Fogelson noted that the film’s success opened doors for other low-quality horror releases. He remarked, “If you really examined the date, there are very few reasons… why almost any film can’t work on almost any weekend.”
Start of a Trend
The success of “White Noise” led to a trend where many horror films premiered in early January. This strategy capitalized on audiences’ willingness to watch seemingly inferior content. The following films released in January include:
- Eli Roth’s “Hostel” (2006)
- “One Missed Call” (2008)
- “The Devil Inside” (2012)
- Nicolas Cage’s “Season of the Witch” (2011)
- “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones” (2014)
Most of these films, much like “White Noise,” received negative feedback yet managed to attract audiences.
The Current Landscape
Two decades after “White Noise,” the trend continues. Films like “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare,” “Night Swim,” “M3GAN,” and “The Devil Conspiracy” have followed suit. They all share a common trait: they struggled critically.
In summary, Michael Keaton’s “White Noise” not only marked a low point in his career but also inadvertently transformed Hollywood’s approach to film releases, especially in the horror genre.
