AceShowbiz - Ryan Coogler's original horror film "Sinners" opened to an impressive $63 million globally, yet Variety's coverage framed it as an uphill battle due to its $90 million budget, provoking an outcry from Hollywood figures and fans.

Ben Stiller and Patrick Schwarzenegger were among the first to call out the trade outlet for the negative spin on what they saw as a clear box office win, emphasizing that the revenue accounted for just three days of screening.

"In what universe does a $60 million opening for an original studio movie warrant this headline?" tweeted Stiller, highlighting the disparity in the framing.

Comedian Kristen Schaal echoed these sentiments, lamenting that "no one will write anything without a negative spin anymore," and reverberating frustrations about the press prioritizing clicks over fair coverage.

Schwarzenegger, known for his role in "The White Lotus" Season 3, simply stated, "It's opening weekend," reinforcing the common sentiment that the initial performance was being unfairly scrutinized.

Filmmaker Joe Russo sarcastically echoed this, saying, "Variety: 'WHY DIDN'T THE MOVIE MAKE ALL ITS BUDGET BACK IN THREE DAYS,' " casting further light on the unrealistic expectations set by certain media outlets.

The disparity in reporting becomes even more pointed when Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black List, compared it to similar cases like Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," which had a notably less favorable performance with seemingly less critical coverage. His claims suggested a double standard, particularly disadvantaging Black-centered works.

"Sinners," starring Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and others, tells the story of twin gangsters battling vampires in 1932 Mississippi Delta and was celebrated for achieving the highest domestic opening weekend for an original film this decade, surpassing Jordan Peele's "Nope." The positive impact and historical significance of this opening was a key factor missed in Variety's critique.

Cheo Hodari Coker, "Luke Cage" showrunner, and numerous other netizens also voiced their dismay, urging viewers to support the movie further to ensure its success, thus challenging biased reporting.

One Twitter user poignantly noted, "So amassing roughly 40% of your budget, in just 3 days, makes 'profitability a ways away'? Boy y'all find new ways to be racist to keep us in our 'place' each and every day. It's quite impressive tbh."

Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" is now playing in theaters, continuing to draw audiences and defy the negative framing that some media outlets have chosen to impose on its success.

The director hasn't responded to the criticism, but he thanked fans for their support following box office victory. "Eternal Gratitude. My heart is bursting with it," he wrote on social media. "I want to thank each and every one of you who bought a ticket to see SINNERS."

"Who decided to drive to see the film in different formats. Who bought popcorn and a drink, booked a sitter and carpooled, and stood in the lobby afterwards and talked and made a friend. Who changed their work scheduled. Who saw the film in groups."