By Brendan Swift
Local horror film The Loved Ones has posted a modest opening weekend at the box office after taking just over $141,000 at the box office across 89 cinema screens.
The result gave the film, backed by Omnilab Media and starring rising Australian actor Xavier Samuel, a screen average of just $1586.
The Madman Entertainment-distributed film tells the story of 17-year old Brent (Samuel), who is forced to survive a macabre celebration after being kidnapped by the disturbed Lola and her father.
Madman's standout result this year has been crime drama Animal Kingdom, which has grossed more than $4.9 million across just 79 screens.
That result, as well as positive ancillary sales, has helped the distributor offset an industry-wide downward trend in retail DVD sales.
Meanwhile, local romance Summer Coda posted a 29 per cent decline in its third weekend, grossing $26,010 across 26 screens.
Roadshow's big budget animation Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole posted a 38 per cent decline in its sixth weekend at cinemas. it took $67,377 across 81 screens and has now taken more than $4.6 million.