**Strong festival buzz from its Sundance and Berlin premieres has anchored "The Weight" at a Certified Fresh 93% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes, based on over 100 reviews, with critics highlighting Ethan Hawke’s magnetic lead performance, Padraic McKinley’s assured direction, and tense wilderness thriller elements reminiscent of classics like The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.** The September 18 wide release by Vertical added mainstream reviews without eroding the score, though audience scores sit lower around 80% amid typical genre expectations. Modest opening-weekend box office and ongoing review volume through September 21 could introduce minor fluctuations, but the established critical consensus and limited downside from mixed notices support trader confidence in high thresholds.