Bleak 2006 film 'The Road' proves too grim for audiences, struggling against indifference 15 years later despite critical acclaim.
beat sheet
Adapted from Cormac McCarthy's acclaimed novel, 'The Road' was praised by critics but failed to connect with mainstream moviegoers upon release in 2007, earning just $27 million at the box office.
Unlike other post-apocalyptic tales, 'The Road' offers no thrills or action, instead presenting a relentlessly somber vision of survival that proved too much for many viewers seeking escapism, highlighting the challenges of translating such bleak material to the screen.