Initially debuting in approximately 2,900 domestic theaters in early September, 'By Any Means' has quickly scaled back its presence, now playing in a mere 163 locations. This sharp decline in theatrical availability, as reported by Collider, paves the way for the film's upcoming digital release on October 20.

The Elegance Bratton-directed feature, which stars Wahlberg as real-life mob killer Gregory Scarpa, along with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Nicole Beharie, earned around $15 million at the domestic box office. This performance places it in a similar bracket to other recent action and thriller titles featuring stars like Jason Statham, Gerard Butler, Alan Ritchson, Brendan Fraser, and Andrew Scott, which have often found greater success in the post-theatrical market.

While 'By Any Means' received a mixed reception from critics, evidenced by its 49% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it resonated strongly with audiences. The film boasts an impressive 88% audience score on the platform, with viewers praising its balance of humor and suspense and Wahlberg's portrayal in the gritty, true-events-based narrative. This disparity between critical and audience reception is often a key indicator of a film's potential for robust performance on PVOD (Premium Video On Demand) platforms.

The shift reflects a broader trend in the film industry, where many genre films with established stars are increasingly leveraging streaming and digital releases as their primary distribution channels. For 'By Any Means,' a strong audience score signals that it is well-positioned to find its dedicated viewership once it becomes available for digital purchase, capitalizing on a direct-to-home strategy that has proven effective for similar titles.