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Frailty

Play trailer Poster for Frailty R Released Apr 12, 2002 1h 39m Mystery & Thriller Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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75% Tomatometer 154 Reviews 78% 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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Frailty

Frailty

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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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 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 Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Paxton creates a memorable story that, while supplying too many answers about its own ambiguities, offers the chance to find multiple readings. Rated: 3/4 Feb 12, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Avalon T Great movie. It's so hard to find a psychological thriller than isn't full of gratuitous violence. Shock seems to be the main purpose rather than entertainment recently. Definitely recommend. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/25/25 Full Review Rich C WOW! great movie! A must watch! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/25 Full Review Jess F had to see this gem twice to really appreciate all of it. When a widowed father of two interrupts his two sons' sleep with a shocking revelation, they are torn between believing him and not. As the horrifying events of this tale unfold, we learn a lot about the father, about his two sons, and about their destinies. With shocking twist after shocking twist, this film never allows for a lull in the plot. Bill Paxton plays the father, but the most notable performances are that of his older son, Fenton, played by Matthew O'Leary and his younger son, Adam, played by Jeremy Sumpter. This is one of the best thrillers that I have seen in a while, and you will want to watch this a few times to appreciate every intricate aspect of the plot. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/25 Full Review Ben D Frailty is a religio-psycho horror that tones down the visual violence while you follow “Dad” Meiks (Bill Paxton) and his two sons, Adam (Jeremy Sumpter) and Fenton (Matt O’Leary) while they kill demons in their makeshift slaughter-shed in the backyard. Meiks is a widower who suddenly is given the revelation from God that demons walk amongst them and he has been tasked with capturing and killing then. Adam, the younger of the two brothers, believes. Fenton believes his father has gone crazy and is just murdering innocent people. The story is being told by an adult Fenton (Matthew McConaughey) to FBI agent Wesley Doyle (powers Boothe), as the to assist with the “God’s Hand” murders that are still plaguing Texas into the present day. You may ask yourself, “okay, so just lead him to your brother, already?” but take heart, twists abound — and they aren’t cheap, but actually pretty good, if a little dramatic. Frailty is Paxton’s directorial debut and is a commendable piece of unique horror. The acting, especially from the young O’Leary, makes this more than just a twisty, typical, 2000s Horror. Demon hunting with an axe is always cool, *Here Be Spoilers*, when they’re actual demons, it’s that much tastier. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/23/25 Full Review jibstank 8 It's a been a couple years since I've watched this. I remember really liking the concept, thought the idea was great. I dont remember it being a good movie though. I member thinking, "yup, that is a thing that is watch. It is one of the movies of all time. The idea is more rememberable than the movie itself. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 12/09/24 Full Review christina b What on earth are these high ratings for from both audience and critics this is the stupidest most moronic film “no son I’m not a killer these are demons the angel told me” over and over omg what a load of CRAP Rated 1 out of 5 stars 11/16/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Frailty

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Frailty

Frailty: Official Clip - God Knew Frailty: Official Clip - God Knew 2:50 Frailty: Official Clip - You Can't Escape God's Wrath Frailty: Official Clip - You Can't Escape God's Wrath 2:50 Frailty: Official Clip - Killing a Brother Frailty: Official Clip - Killing a Brother 2:05 Frailty: Official Clip - Fenton's First Victim Frailty: Official Clip - Fenton's First Victim 2:59 Frailty: Official Clip - Sometimes Truth Defies Reason Frailty: Official Clip - Sometimes Truth Defies Reason 1:47 Frailty: Official Clip - The First Demon Frailty: Official Clip - The First Demon 2:59 Frailty: Official Clip - A Vision From God Frailty: Official Clip - A Vision From God 3:31 Frailty: Official Clip - The List Frailty: Official Clip - The List 2:50 Frailty: Official Clip - You Gotta Believe Me! Frailty: Official Clip - You Gotta Believe Me! 2:42 Frailty: Official Clip - The Promise Frailty: Official Clip - The Promise 2:21 View more videos
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Movie Info

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
David Kirschner Productions, American Entertainment
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 39m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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