Even though The Kitchen might have been thought of as a career-advancing film for Tiffany Haddish, the box office returns might make fans very disappointed.
Per Deadline that The Kitchen, the film based on the DC Comics/Vertigo title, gave Haddish and Melissa McCarthy their lowest box office draws for a wide release. This figure doesn’t count Haddish’s other recent film role in The Oath, which was a limited release.
The film brought in only $5.5 million in its opening weekend, a far cry from the estimated $37 million the film cost to make. It seems unfortunate, since there looked like there could be a lot for critics to like–Haddish and McCarthy in serious leading roles, crime and intrigue, and the ambiance of a 1970s period piece. It’s also a female empowerment narrative. However, critics weren’t having it as the film just has a 21 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Critics’ consensus, for instance, describes the film as “three talented leads struggling to prop up a sagging story.” Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers writes how the film wastes the talents of its stars. “McCarthy, Haddish, Moss – Oh, what a move The Kitchen could have been,” he wrote. “But oh what an unholy disaster it is. An early contender for worst of the year.” Rave Reviews’ Abby Olcese also wrote, “It’s frustratingly easy to see the ways in which The Kitchen could have been a better film. The pieces are all there. Unfortunately, the film is willing to settle for the very easiest way forward, which does a huge disservice to all involved.”
Don’t count Haddish out of serious roles yet, however. She is set to star as the character Leila in the 2020 TV miniseries Madam C.J. Walker, starring Octavia Spencer, Garrett Morris, Carmen Ejogo, Blair Underwood and Kevin Carroll. As far as comedic roles go, she’s got many films coming up, including Bad Trip and Like A Boss. So regardless of The Kitchen‘s less than stellar debut numbers, Haddish is still getting to the bag.
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Photo: Alison Cohen Rosa/Warner Bros.
