A History of Violence

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2:31

A History of Violence

R

Released Sep 30, 2005

1h 36m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

219 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

When a pair of petty criminals attempt to rob his small-town diner, Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) quickly and easily kills them both. In the flush of news coverage of Tom's seemingly heroic actions, a threatening stranger named Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) comes to town, fingering the unassuming family man as long-missing Philadelphia mobster Joey Cusack. To the horror of his wife, Edie (Maria Bello), and teenage son, Jack (Ashton Holmes), Tom finds he must confront his violent past.

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Critics Consensus

A History of Violence raises compelling and thoughtful questions about the nature of violence, while representing a return to form for director David Cronenberg in one of his more uncharacteristic pieces.

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Christy Lemire

Associated Press

The less you know about this movie before seeing it -- and you really should see it -- the better.

Apr 15, 2013

Full Review

David Denby

The New Yorker

Cronenberg's direction, mirroring the split in Tom, is alternately measured and frighteningly explosive, and, as always, he gives the movie a nasty underlay of sexual perversity.

Apr 15, 2013

Full Review

Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

This peculiarly predictable picture has been calculated, or miscalculated, to set up certain expectations, fulfill them, and then do the same thing again, thereby giving us a chance to see what's coming and, at least in theory, be shocked.

Apr 15, 2013

Full Review

Sebastian Zavala Kahn

Loud and Clear Reviews

David Cronenberg’s A History of Violence is a bloody meditation on the nature of violence and the purpose of the human body.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 6, 2025

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network

All-time performances by Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello, a stacked supporting cast, and gorgeous cinematography. This is Cronenberg's contemporary masterpiece.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 5, 2024

Full Review

Diane Carson

KDHX (St. Louis)

Cronenberg brilliantly elicits a continuum of emotions, elicits our involvement as well as our reflection. This is an astonishing feat made all the more effective by a complex and subtle performance by Vigo Mortensen...

May 21, 2024

Full Review

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Kandy A

Great Story. Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello and Ed Harris stand out above a great supporting cast. It builds and builds on a unique concept. The diretion from David Cronenberg is seamless. You get so wrapped up in the plot that you forget it is a movie. William Hurt doe what William Hurt does best, he shines an creates an energy in his performance. I really liked this movie. Highly recommended. Stephen McHattie is scary in his role and he is well supported by his accomplice. I think those two could be a movie on their own.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

Full Review

Ken W

The duality of man, we all have a little killer in us. Some leave it behind, some never unleash it, yet.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

Full Review

Slick R

I remember seeing this in the movie theater and I was floored. Extremely violent and gripping. I'd have to watch again but I recall not liking the ending.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/25/25

Full Review

Audience Member

A solid 4 stars. Cronenberg, when he's good= is really good. Viggio was also great as was Maria. Great performances all around and a pretty cool story to boot. A keeper for your collection.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

Hughe J

A History of Violence was released in 2005 and stars Viggo Mortenson, Ed Harris, William Hurt and Maria Bello with David Cronenberg directing. The movie really starts when Mortenson thwarts a robbery at his diner that garners national attention. Soon a mysterious group of strangers arrive in town claiming Mortenson isn't who he says he is. Tensions rise until a fatal confrontation takes place at his home forcing Mortenson to return to Philadelphia to confront his past. A History of Violence is an extremely underrated movie as the acting here is quite good. While the plot has certainly been done before it's still entertaining and combined with the acting makes for an enjoyable movie. Mortenson and Hurt, who I would have liked to see more of, were really good and one of Hurt's lines was an instant classic. Highly recommended movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

Full Review

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David Cronenberg

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Viggo Mortensen

Tom Stall

Maria Bello

Edie Stall

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A History of Violence: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When a pair of petty criminals attempt to rob his small-town diner, Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) quickly and easily kills them both. In the flush of news coverage of Tom's seemingly heroic actions, a threatening stranger named Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) comes to town, fingering the unassuming family man as long-missing Philadelphia mobster Joey Cusack. To the horror of his wife, Edie (Maria Bello), and teenage son, Jack (Ashton Holmes), Tom finds he must confront his violent past.

Director: David Cronenberg
Producer: J.C. Spink, Chris Bender
Screenwriter: Josh Olson
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: Benderspink
Rating: R (Language|Graphic Sexuality|Nudity|Some Drug Use|Strong Brutal Violence)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 30, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 29, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.5M
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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