Production Budget Analysis

What was the production budget for Bacurau?

Directed by Juliano Dornelles, Kleber Mendonça Filho, with Bárbara Colen, Thomás Aquino, Silvero Pereira leading the cast, Bacurau was produced by Símio Filmes with a confirmed budget of $1,430,000, placing it in the micro-budget category for mystery films.

At $1,430,000, Bacurau was produced on a lean budget. Lower-budget films benefit from reduced break-even thresholds, with profitability achievable at approximately $3,575,000.

Budget Comparison — Similar Productions

• Embrace of the Serpent (2015): Budget $1,400,000 | Gross $1,320,005 → ROI: -6% • Dial M for Murder (1954): Budget $1,400,000 | Gross $3,000,000 → ROI: 114% • The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): Budget $1,400,000 | Gross $171,181,400 → ROI: 12127% • Shelby Oaks (2025): Budget $1,400,000 | Gross $2,350,523 → ROI: 68% • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938): Budget $1,488,423 | Gross $184,925,486 → ROI: 12324%

Key Budget Allocation Categories

▸ Talent & Director Compensation Thrillers depend on compelling lead performances to sustain tension, making cast compensation a primary budget concern. Directors with proven thriller credentials command premium fees.

▸ Cinematography & Location Photography Thriller aesthetics demand specific visual languages — surveillance-style photography, claustrophobic framing, or expansive location work across multiple cities or countries.

▸ Editorial & Sound Post-Production Precision editing — controlling information flow, building suspense through pacing, and orchestrating reveals — requires extended post-production schedules.

Key Production Personnel

CAST: Bárbara Colen, Thomás Aquino, Silvero Pereira, Sonia Braga, Udo Kier Key roles: Bárbara Colen as Teresa; Thomás Aquino as Pacote; Silvero Pereira as Lunga; Sonia Braga as Domingas

DIRECTOR: Juliano Dornelles, Kleber Mendonça Filho CINEMATOGRAPHY: Pedro Sotero MUSIC: Mateus Alves, Tomaz Alves de Souza EDITING: Eduardo Serrano PRODUCTION: Símio Filmes, ARTE France Cinéma, Globo Filmes, SBS Productions, Canal Brasil, Telecine, CinemaScópio, Petrobras FILMED IN: Brazil, France

Box Office Performance

Bacurau earned $58,115 domestically and $3,496,063 internationally, for a worldwide total of $3,554,178. International markets drove the majority of revenue (98%), indicating strong global appeal.

Break-Even Analysis

Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), Bacurau needed approximately $3,575,000 to break even. The film fell $20,822 short in theatrical revenue. Ancillary streams (home media, streaming, TV) may have bridged the gap.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Revenue: $3,554,178 Budget: $1,430,000 Net: $2,124,178 ROI: 148.5%

Profitability Assessment

VERDICT: Profitable

Bacurau delivered a solid return, earning $3,554,178 worldwide on a $1,430,000 budget (149% ROI). Combined with ancillary revenue, the film was a financial positive for Símio Filmes.