Frailty

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Frailty

R

2002

1h 40m

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

154 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Set in present day Texas, "Frailty" centers on the FBI's search for a serial killer who calls himself "God's Hands." McConaughey plays Fenton Meeks, a young man who approaches the lead investigator, one night, claiming he knows the identity of the killer. The FBI agent is curious, but unimpressed until Fenton reveals that the killer is his younger brother Adam. This is a film about faith, family and the end of innocence.

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Critics Consensus

Creepy and disturbing, Frailty is well-crafted, low-key horror.

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Christy Lemire

Associated Press

Paxton steals the show. And O'Leary more than holds his own again here. Too bad it's in a movie that fails to live up to its potential.

Jul 30, 2013

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Violent and ultimately uneven and unsatisfying.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 24, 2010

Full Review

Robert Koehler

Variety

A resoundingly old-fashioned and well crafted study of evil infecting an American family, "Frailty" moves from strength to strength on its deceptive narrative course.

Nov 21, 2008

Full Review

Joshua Ryan

FandomWire

It's incredibly effective in its execution and remains one of the most unnerving horror films of the 2000s.

Rated: 8/10

Jul 19, 2025

Full Review

Cody Leach

Cody Leach (YouTube)

Frailty is a perfect exploration of childhood fear as it collides with religion. Bill Paxton's deliberately reserved direction makes the horror more effective in it's reliance on reactions and suggestion. Every twist delivers and sticks the landing!

Rated: 5/5

Mar 26, 2024

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

[Frailty] still packs a chilling punch to the gut that stands the test of time today.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

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Mizael B.

Frailty checks all the boxes—horror, mystery, and thriller. It’s a slow build at first, but once it gets going, it hooks you in and you can’t look away. The atmosphere is dark, the story is intense, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. And that twist? I loved it. Totally worth the watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/01/25

Full Review

Jack F

Interesting premise. I thought it was good. It was all just flashbacks though. Tries to be cool with the twists.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/19/25

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Joseph L

A very unusual movie that does go about providing some surprises here and there. For whatever reason this is a movie that appears to get better and better over time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/25

Full Review

Patricio G

Interesante concepto de los asesinos seriales que tienen fuertes vínculos religiosos, qué a su vez los reivindica. Escalofriante y con giros de guión

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/10/25

Full Review

Jason H

Religion is rubbish, but it sure does make for great theater. This is one of my favorite horror movies of the 21st century.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/26/25

Full Review

D P

I have to award points for surprising me with that ending. I wasn't expecting that at all.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/13/25

Full Review

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Bill Paxton

Director

Bill Paxton

Dad

Matthew McConaughey

Adam Meiks

Powers Boothe

Agent Wesley Doyle

Matt O'Leary

Young Fenton Meiks

Luke Askew

Sheriff Smalls

Frailty: Official Clip - God Knew

2:50

Frailty: Official Clip - You Can't Escape God's Wrath

2:50

Frailty: Official Clip - Killing a Brother

2:05

Frailty: Official Clip - Fenton's First Victim

2:59

Frailty: Official Clip - Sometimes Truth Defies Reason

1:47

Frailty: Official Clip - The First Demon

2:59

Frailty: Official Clip - A Vision From God

3:31

Frailty: Official Clip - The List

2:50

Frailty: Official Clip - You Gotta Believe Me!

2:42

Frailty: Official Clip - The Promise

2:21

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Synopsis

Set in present day Texas, "Frailty" centers on the FBI's search for a serial killer who calls himself "God's Hands." McConaughey plays Fenton Meeks, a young man who approaches the lead investigator, one night, claiming he knows the identity of the killer. The FBI agent is curious, but unimpressed until Fenton reveals that the killer is his younger brother Adam. This is a film about faith, family and the end of innocence.

Director: Bill Paxton
Producer: David Blocker, David Kirschner, Corey Sienega
Screenwriter: Brent Hanley
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: American Entertainment, David Kirschner Productions
Rating: R (Violence|Some Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 12, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 14, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.1M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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