A History of Violence

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A History of Violence

R

Released Sep 30, 2005

1h 36m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

218 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

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

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

In much the same manner that David Lynch deconstructed the myth of the squeaky-clean small Southern town in Blue Velvet, so too does David Cronenberg take a hatchet to the facade of bland Midwestern homeliness in A History of Violence.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 26, 2023

Full Review

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Andrew M

The first few minutes of this wonderful movie is worth the admission ticket.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/30/25

Full Review

Jon B

Bland orchestral music that didn't seem in keeping with the tone of the film. Over the top romantic/sexual scene earlier in film. Stretched out "let's all stare at each other" ending. Gangsters were pretty good characters (as in feeling authentic). Wouldn't watch again

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/06/25

Full Review

Rey A

One of the best movie ever!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/25

Full Review

Audience Member

No idea how this film got a 7.4 on IMBD. No real twists or thrill. Each character seems awfully awkward throughout. Solid 5/10 at best.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/16/25

Full Review

Rufus P

Absolutely awful film. Slowest film and poor acting

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/08/25

Full Review

Frank C

The cinematography and music is completely over the top and the improvised martial arts moves are cringey. The plot is slow and uninteresting. The last 15 minutes drags on to the point of boredom. The entire movie itself is underwhelming and sleep inducing.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/07/25

Full Review

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David Cronenberg

Director

Viggo Mortensen

Tom Stall

Maria Bello

Edie Stall

William Hurt

Richie Cusack

Ashton Holmes

Jack Stall

Stephen McHattie

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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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