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The latest example spotlighted is Julia Roberts' newest film, which, despite her extensive promotional efforts, failed to resonate with audiences. The film was initially released in just six theaters—a limited release strategy often used to generate buzz—before expanding to approximately 2,200 theaters. Despite the increased exposure, the film only averaged around $1,200 per theater, a clear indicator of its underperformance. Critics and insiders suggest that this failure isn't isolated but symptomatic of larger trends affecting Hollywood's star-driven model.