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A History of Violence

Play trailer 2:31 Poster for A History of Violence R 2005 1h 35m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 222 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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A History of Violence

A History of Violence

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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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Critics Reviews

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Christy Lemire Associated Press 04/15/2013
The less you know about this movie before seeing it -- and you really should see it -- the better. Go to Full Review
David Denby The New Yorker 04/15/2013
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. Go to Full Review
Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal 04/15/2013
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. Go to Full Review
Douglas Davidson Elements of Madness Oct 21
Smoothly-paced, profoundly quiet, and possessing bursts of disquieting violence, "A History of Violence" is as affecting now as it was in its original 2005 release, perhaps more-so in the current landscape of cinematic entertainment. Go to Full Review
Jeff Beck The Blu Spot Oct 20
4.5/5
A History of Violence may not be that complicated a tale, but with a marvelous, Oscar-nominated screenplay by Josh Olson and an incredible ensemble, it becomes a riveting experience that utilizes its story elements to deliver a compelling narrative. Go to Full Review
Joshua Ryan FandomWire Oct 10
9/10
It’s darkly comedic, brutally violent, and strangely orchestrated in the way that only Cronenberg can manage. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Robert H. @hamfam 1d This movie has stood the test of time and is properly ranked by the BBC as one of the greatest films of the 21st century. There is also a reason why it is one of the most studied films in film schools in the U.S. as well as else wear. A simple film that is a masterpiece at so many levels. See more Henry D @Henry_Domke 2d The whole movie resonates with restraint, with a constant sense of something dangerous underneath the surface. It feels ominous and normal at the same time. That restraint makes it more believable, and also more unsettling. I’ve finally come to realize what a fine actor Viggo Mortensen is. Beautifully crafted, beautifully acted, and an excellent print. See more Robin R @RobinRice 4d Might be one of the dumbest movies I have seen. It keeps pointing to a backstory without providing any details about one. It essentially plays on the fantasy of "wouldn't it be cool and mysetrious if I were someone else in a past life," a thought that male teenagers throughout the world have had at least twice in their lives. But it doesn't do anything with that fantasy other than reference it for 96 minutes, while only revealing its details in the vaguest way possible. Imaginative writing... Acting and writing are comically bad. See more David M. @Dmesuda Jun 9 A slow burn of a movie. Wonderfully acted and paced about a man whose past comes back to haunt him. See more Robert T @Thorntonis Jun 6 What an extreme waste of talent. From Mortensen to Bello, Harris and William Hurt! The only surprise to the ending is that William Hurt would take an easy payday to phone this performance in. It’s not really the actors fault however. The dialogue was literally sophomoric. At just over 90 minutes I don’t know how they even tried to tell this story. Not that it hasn’t been told numerous times before. Nothing new here except why the otherwise talented actors wasted their time. Direction, soundtrack, acting by supporting cast, all horrible. I tuned in to see Mortensen because every movie I’ve seen him in has been great. This wasn’t. Even Maria Bello, who I love, was terrible in this. Why was she acting like a stepford wife??? Smiling like a smitten kitten at her husband every second. What was the direction she received for her scenes? Be as creepy and unrealistic as you can? Again. No words. Even though it was only an hour and a half, I want that time back. See more Keith B. @Okbullard Jun 2 Just another amazing film that proves great acting and storyline trumps a huge budget every time. I'd never heard of this one but was so happy I watched it. I've always liked Ed Harris since The Right Stuff and Pollack just to name two of his numerous projects. Virgo Mortensen and Maria Bello were exceptional together. Give it a look you won't be disappointed. See more Read all reviews
A History of Violence

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Movie Info

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 35m
Sound Mix
Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)