Relic
Synopsis
When elderly mother Edna inexplicably vanishes, her daughter Kay and granddaughter Sam rush to their family's decaying country home, finding clues of her increasing dementia scattered around the house in her absence. After Edna returns just as mysteriously as she disappeared, Kay's concern that her mother seems unwilling or unable to say where she's been clashes with Sam's unabashed enthusiasm to have her grandma back. As Edna's behavior turns increasingly volatile, both begin to sense that an insidious presence in the house might be taking control of her. With RELIC, first-time writer/director Natalie Erika James crafts an unforgettable new spin on the haunted-house movie.
Production Budget Analysis
What was the production budget for Relic?
Directed by Natalie Erika James, with Emily Mortimer, Bella Heathcote, Robyn Nevin leading the cast, Relic was produced by Nine Stories Productions with a confirmed budget of $1,229,578, placing it in the micro-budget category for horror films.
At $1,229,578, Relic was produced on a lean budget. Lower-budget films benefit from reduced break-even thresholds, with profitability achievable at approximately $3,073,945.
Budget Comparison — Similar Productions
• All About Lily Chou-Chou (2001): Budget $1,250,000 | Gross $6,776,921 → ROI: 442% • The Platform (2019): Budget $1,203,235 | Gross $1,090,116 → ROI: -9% • The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966): Budget $1,200,000 | Gross $38,900,000 → ROI: 3142% • Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (2026): Budget $1,200,000 | Gross $4,087,357 → ROI: 241% • Brief Encounter (1945): Budget $1,200,000 | Gross N/A
Key Budget Allocation Categories
▸ Practical Effects, Prosthetics & Makeup Horror productions invest disproportionately in practical effects — prosthetic applications, animatronics, blood and gore effects, and creature suits. A single hero creature suit can cost $50,000–200,000.
▸ Atmospheric Production Design & Cinematography Creating dread through environment is essential. Abandoned locations must be secured and dressed, lighting rigs designed for shadow and tension, and sets built to enable specific camera movements and reveals.
▸ Sound Design & Score Horror is arguably the most sound-dependent genre. Foley work, ambient textures, frequency manipulation, and jump-scare stingers require specialized sound designers working with unconventional techniques.
Key Production Personnel
CAST: Emily Mortimer, Bella Heathcote, Robyn Nevin, Chris Bunton, Steve Rodgers Key roles: Emily Mortimer as Kay; Bella Heathcote as Sam; Robyn Nevin as Edna; Chris Bunton as Jamie
DIRECTOR: Natalie Erika James CINEMATOGRAPHY: Charlie Sarroff MUSIC: Brian Reitzell EDITING: Denise Haratzis, Sean Lahiff PRODUCTION: Nine Stories Productions, AGBO, Carver Films, Film Victoria, Screen Australia FILMED IN: Australia, United States of America
Box Office Performance
Relic earned $1,047,083 domestically and $2,191,456 internationally, for a worldwide total of $3,238,539. International markets drove the majority of revenue (68%), indicating strong global appeal.
Break-Even Analysis
Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), Relic needed approximately $3,073,945 to break even. The film surpassed this threshold by $164,594.
Return on Investment (ROI)
Revenue: $3,238,539 Budget: $1,229,578 Net: $2,008,961 ROI: 163.4%
Profitability Assessment
VERDICT: Profitable
Relic delivered a solid return, earning $3,238,539 worldwide on a $1,229,578 budget (163% ROI). Combined with ancillary revenue, the film was a financial positive for Nine Stories Productions.
INDUSTRY IMPACT
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Summary: 5 wins & 29 nominations total
Nominations: ○ AACTA Award for Best Film ○ AACTA Award for Best Direction ○ Australian Film Institute Award for Best Screenplay ○ AACTA Award for Best Sound ○ AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Budget Templates
Build your own production budget
Create professional budgets with industry-standard feature film templates. Real-time collaboration, no spreadsheets.
Start Budgeting Free
