The Cold Light of Day (2012)

PG-13Thriller/Suspense

Budget$20,000,000

Domestic Box Office$3,763,583.00

Worldwide Box Office$25,361,206.00

Synopsis

When WILL SHAW arrives in Spain for a weeklong sailing vacation with his family, the stressed young businessman is not in a holiday mood. His startup company is in trouble and his tense relationship with his disciplinarian father MARTIN only makes matters worse. But when the

family is kidnapped by what turns out to be intelligence agents hell-bent on recovering a mysterious briefcase, Will suddenly finds himself on the run. His whole world turns upside down when Martin reappears, revealing he is an undercover agent tangled in an intergovernmental web of lies and secrets. During a clandestine rendezvous, Martin is killed by a sniper, and Will must find a way to get the rest of his family back alive.

With the kidnappers counting down the hours, the Spanish police breathing down his neck for a murder he didn't commit and a cadre of U.S. assassins on his trail, Will flees through Madrid, racing to piece together a conspiracy as labyrinthine as the city's ancient streets. Who can he trust? Who killed his father? And where is the mysterious briefcase that seems to be the key to getting his family home safely? In his quest for answers, Will finds LUCIA - a half-sister he never knew he had, who is

determined to help him. Bound by their shared loss, the siblings are a force to be reckoned with, but can they overcome the massive odds against them before it’s too late?

What is the budget of The Cold Light of Day?

The Cold Light of Day, released in 2012, is a thriller that combines action and suspense, directed by Mabrouk El Mechri. Starring Henry Cavill, Bruce Willis, and Sigourney Weaver, the film follows a young businessman whose family is kidnapped while on vacation in Spain. The budget of this film plays a significant role in understanding its production and financial performance.

Budget Overview

The production budget for The Cold Light of Day was set at $20,000,000. This figure places it within a moderate range for action thrillers of its time. For comparison, films like "Taken" (2008) had a budget of around $25,000,000, while "The Bourne Identity" (2002) was produced for approximately $60,000,000. The Cold Light of Day's budget reflects a more restrained financial commitment, likely influenced by its less established star power and the production companies involved.

Production Costs

Several factors contributed to the overall production costs of The Cold Light of Day:

- Locations: Filming in Spain likely incurred significant location expenses, given the picturesque settings required for the story.

- Talent: The cast included high-profile actors, which typically elevates the budget.

- Special Effects: While not heavily reliant on CGI, any action sequences would have required a portion of the budget for stunts and practical effects.

Notable scenes, particularly those involving high-stakes chases through Madrid, would have demanded careful choreography and safety measures, adding to the overall costs. Although the initial budget was $20 million, the final costs may have exceeded this figure due to unforeseen challenges during production.

Box Office Performance

The Cold Light of Day grossed $25,361,206 worldwide, with a domestic box office earning of $3,763,583. This performance indicates a modest return, especially when considering the production budget.

- Break-even Point: To cover its costs, the film would have needed to earn approximately $40 million globally, factoring in marketing and distribution expenses.

- ROI Percentage: The return on investment (ROI) can be calculated as follows:

- ROI = (Total Earnings - Production Cost) / Production Cost

- ROI = ($25,361,206 - $20,000,000) / $20,000,000 = 26.8%

This modest ROI suggests that while the film did earn more than its production cost, it did not achieve significant financial success.

Financial Impact

The Cold Light of Day did not turn a substantial profit, which may have influenced the strategies of the studios involved, including Summit Entertainment and Intrepid Pictures. The film's performance likely led to more cautious budgeting for future projects in the action-thriller genre, as studios reassess the financial viability of similar films.

While it did not set any records, the film serves as a case study in the challenges of balancing star power, production costs, and box office returns in a competitive market.

Commonly Asked Questions

How much did The Cold Light of Day (2012) cost to make?

The production cost of The Cold Light of Day was $20,000,000.

Was The Cold Light of Day (2012) profitable?

The film did not achieve significant profitability, earning $25,361,206 against its $20 million budget.

What was the most expensive element of The Cold Light of Day (2012)?

While specific figures are not disclosed, the talent costs associated with high-profile actors like Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver likely represented a significant portion of the budget.

How much did The Cold Light of Day (2012) make at the box office?

The Cold Light of Day grossed $25,361,206 worldwide.

Did The Cold Light of Day (2012) go over budget?

There are indications that the film may have exceeded its initial budget of $20 million, although exact figures are not publicly available.

In summary, The Cold Light of Day serves as an intriguing example of the complexities involved in film budgeting and box office performance. Despite its moderate budget and star-studded cast, the film struggled to achieve financial success, prompting reflections on the viability of similar projects in the future.