After A Successful Opening Weekend, The Trek (2026) Extends Cinema Run

Outperforming studio-backed international titles on per-screen yield, the indie feature secures a holdover extension at flagship Ster-Kinekor cinemas following glowing reviews and enthusiastic audience reactions.

Following a high-octane opening weekend, the South African psychological thriller THE TREK has made a dramatic mark on the national box office. Operating on a tight 4-screen release, the film secured the #7 highest Per-Screen Average (PSA) nationwide for the weekend of July 31 – August 2, outperforming several wide-release Hollywood studio titles and international genre competitors on per-screen yield.

Riding a wave of critical acclaim – including a 4.5/5 rating from News24, with Mail & Guardian calling it “one of South Africa’s standout independent films of the year” and Spling praising it as “Beautiful, entertaining, gritty and hauntingly poetic” – the release generated an exceptional per-screen average, led by strong turnouts at flagship metro hubs in Cape Town and Johannesburg. On a per-screen basis, THE TREK outperformed studio horror releases including Backrooms and Evil Dead Burn – ranking as the #1 independent film by per-screen-average.

In response to strong weekend turnout, word-of-mouth momentum and vibrant post-screening filmmaker Q&As, exhibitor Ster-Kinekor has officially extended THE TREK for a second week at Rosebank Nouveau (Johannesburg) and V&A Waterfront (Cape Town).

“Across audiences, critics and our box office metrics; the reaction across the country has been unreal,” says producer James C. Williamson. “Beating out major studio titles on per-screen yield proves South Africa is leading the way for bold, original genre cinema. We’re thrilled that Ster-Kinekor is keeping the momentum going with a second week at Rosebank and the Waterfront.”

Directed by Meekaaeel Adam and starring Morné Visser, Maurice Carpede, Rob van Vuuren and Trix Vivier, THE TREK follows a survival odyssey deep in the unforgiving Kalahari desert.

WEEK 2 SCREENING DETAILS:

Locations: Ster-Kinekor Rosebank Nouveau (JHB) & Ster-Kinekor V&A Waterfront (CPT)

Tickets: On sale now via the Ster-Kinekor app and website.

Extension Window: Strictly limited holdover run through Thursday, August 13.

For More About the Film: Go to https://thetrekfilm.com/

CLICK HERE TO READ OUT REVIEW OF THE TREK

The Trek is in cinemas now. Watch the trailer now.

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