Sydney Sweeney is encountering significant challenges as her latest movie, Eden, fails to attract box office viewers. This continued underperformance adds to the fallout from her recent American Eagle jeans advertisement, increasing scrutiny on the actress’s career trajectory.
Both Eden and her previous film, Americana, have struggled commercially, raising concerns about Sweeney’s market viability. The survival drama Eden, directed by Ron Howard with a production budget of $50 million, launched in 664 theaters but earned only $1 million during its opening weekend. Although Sweeney underwent a dramatic physical transformation to portray German settler Margret Wittmer, the film’s reception has been lukewarm, holding a 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes despite its notable cast including Ana de Armas and Jude Law.
Controversial Advertising Campaign Intensifies Backlash
The recent box office difficulties coincide with controversy surrounding Sweeney’s American Eagle jeans campaign. The ad, featuring Sweeney leaning against a vintage car with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” quickly went viral for its pun on “genes.” Sweeney’s line in the commercial,
Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color…my genes are blue.
—Sydney Sweeney, Actress
This campaign was widely criticized for racial insensitivity and accusations of evoking Nazi imagery, further complicating public response to her projects. The negative attention has added pressure to her already faltering box office results.
Upcoming Roles Signal Determined Resurgence
Despite these setbacks, Sydney Sweeney is committed to advancing her career with several new roles. She has physically prepared for her part as former super welterweight champion Christy Martin in the biographical drama Christy. Additionally, Sweeney will star alongside Amanda Seyfried in the psychological thriller The Housemaid and return for the third season of HBO’s acclaimed series Euphoria.
As she moves forward amidst criticism and poor box office returns, the industry and audiences will be watching to see if these new projects can rebuild her standing and counteract the recent turmoil. The outcome of her upcoming roles may prove pivotal for her long-term career prospects and public image.
