The Gift

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The Gift

R

2001

1h 50m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

57%

Tomatometer

123 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In the tiny town of Brixton, Georgia where nothing is private, a woman with supernatural clairvoyance, a young beautiful socialite who has mysteriously disappeared, and an assortment of colorful characters all collide. A haunting psychological thriller, "The Gift" is ultimately a profound celebration of the human spirit.

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Critics Consensus

With a reported budget of around 10 million, The Gift is obviously a labor of love for those involved. Unfortunately, the A-list cast can't prevent the movie from becoming a by-the-numbers whodunit with an ending that's all but unsatisfactory.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 28, 2010

4/5

A superior horror movie for older teens.

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Peter Howell

Toronto Star

Jan 19, 2001

There's really just one reason to see the Southern freak show that is Sam Raimi's The Gift, and fortunately it's the best reason: to watch the star of the piece.

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Susan Stark

Detroit News

Jan 19, 2001

4/4

A glorious textbook example of a gifted film maker's ability to transform a familiar genre and, thrillingly, to confound our expectations in the process.

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Adrian Martin

Film Critic: Adrian Martin

Jul 30, 2025

2/5

For too much of The Gift, Blanchett is required simply to be sullen or scared. Raimi unwisely withdraws any humour from her character and invests it in a string of daffy supporting players

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Jason Caro

Radio Times

Feb 9, 2024

3/5

Although essentially by-the-numbers stuff, the lack of emphasis on digital effects is refreshing and Reeves's ferocious turn is a real eye-opener.

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Tim Stevens

The Spool

Oct 28, 2020

Stylistically, viewers will likely recognize the patented Raimi vision: chaotic frightening images blinking rapidly over the widening eyes of the protagonist.

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Kalissa H.

@kali_416 Apr 17, 2026

I really enjoyed this movie. The murderer was not obvious so I kept wondering who the murderer was.

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Gi S

@Gistevenn Mar 18, 2026

I never would have guessed the ending to this one. Standout performances by cate blanchet and keanu reeves.

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Matthew D

@OceanSage Feb 28, 2026

Cate Blanchett is fabulous in this insanely underrated mystery. Director Sam Raimi’s Southern Gothic mystery The Gift (2000) is fascinating. Writers Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson’s script is excellent. It’s very sensitive to abused women. Cate Blanchett is amazing as the psychic Annabelle Wilson, who is trying to solve a heinous murder, while taking care of her young kids. She is hypnotizing with her tender and mature performance. Giovanni Ribisi is phenomenal as a disturbed car mechanic named Buddy Cole, who is sweet on Annie. Keanu Reeves is monstrous as this horrifying, racist, and violent redneck Donnie Barksdale. Hilary Swank is fantastic Donnie’s battered wife Valerie. Katie Holmes is fun and heartbreaking as the flirty girl Jessica King. Greg Kinnear is great as the friendly and unassuming school principal Wayne Collins. Composer Christopher Young’s lovely film score is spellbinding. He really crafts a haunting atmosphere throughout The Gift.

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dennis c

@RT40354288 Nov 9, 2025

Pretty close to perfect. A stellar cast and a fresh story. One of Blanchetts very best performances! Reeves and Ribisi are amazing as well.

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Shaun R

@Shaun666 Oct 17, 2025

Good film. Underrated and not too silly, bearing in mind the concept. Easily Keanu Reeves’s best performance.

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Keith A

@RT80348895 Sep 23, 2025

One of the best mystery/thrillers of recent (fairly) times, superb acting all round, tremendous atmosphere- this is certainly worth a watch.

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Sam Raimi

Director

Cate Blanchett

Annie Wilson

Giovanni Ribisi

Buddy Cole

Keanu Reeves

Donnie Barksdale

Katie Holmes

Jessica King

Greg Kinnear

Wayne Collins

The Gift: Official Clip - Why Didn't You Help Me?

2:12

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The Gift: Official Clip - The Gift

2:07

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The Gift: Official Clip - Happily Ever After

2:13

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The Gift: Official Clip - Buddy Cole is Dead

2:08

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The Gift: Official Clip - Returning to the Crime Scene

2:12

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The Gift: Official Clip - Donnie Gets Cross-Examined

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The Gift: Official Clip - Buddy's Breakdown

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The Gift: Official Clip - Annie's Vision

2:03

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The Gift: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the tiny town of Brixton, Georgia where nothing is private, a woman with supernatural clairvoyance, a young beautiful socialite who has mysteriously disappeared, and an assortment of colorful characters all collide. A haunting psychological thriller, "The Gift" is ultimately a profound celebration of the human spirit.

Director: Sam Raimi
Producer: Tom Rosenberg, James Jacks, Rob Tapert
Screenwriter: Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Epperson
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Alphaville Films, Lakeshore Entertainment
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 19, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.0M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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