The Book of Henry

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2:22

The Book of Henry

PG-13

Released Jun 16, 2017

1h 40m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

21%

Tomatometer

146 Reviews

63%

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5,000+ Ratings

Single mother Susan Carpenter works as a waitress alongside her feisty family friend Sheila. Taking care of everyone and everything in his own way is Susan's older son Henry. Protective of his brother and a tireless supporter of his often self-doubting mother, Henry blazes through the days like a comet. When Susan discovers that the family next door harbors a dark secret, she's surprised to learn that Henry has devised a plan to help the young daughter.

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Critics Consensus

The Book of Henry deserves a few points for ambition, but its tonal juggling act -- and a deeply maudlin twist -- may leave viewers gaping in disbelief rather than choking back tears.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Watts throws herself into the project, much like a first responder to an emergency.

Apr 6, 2020

Full Review

Karen Han

The Daily Beast

A movie this crazy should be spellbinding, but as it is, The Book of Henry is just baffling. It's fun, but not fun; it's forgettable, but unforgettable.

Dec 28, 2017

Full Review

K. Austin Collins

The Ringer

Colin Trevorrow goes for the easy tears, which is too bad, in this case. Nothing about a story like this should feel easy.

Aug 9, 2017

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Once The Book of Henry entertains the proposition of murder, everything changes and that pendulum begins to look like a scythe cutting wheat.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 16, 2024

Full Review

Damond Fudge

KCCI (Des Moines, IA)

I do agree that things could've been handled with a little more subtlety, grace or tact...but even so, the end result was satisfying to me.

Jul 17, 2020

Full Review

Steven Prokopy

Third Coast Review

The truth is, while I don't think I can quite recommend the film, I appreciated its attempt to try something slightly insane, to take turns that most mainstream movies don't dare.

May 7, 2020

Full Review

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Santiago Castillo G

It was a great history, the acting of Jaeden Martell, Jacob and everyone was very good and awesome, it's sad that not too much people know about this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/23

Full Review

Shelby Z

Incredible. I loved this movie. A tear jerker for sure. Laughed, cried, and laughed again. A must see!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/03/23

Full Review

Robert T

Short film with a clear tonal shift could be great but they mucked up the ending.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/31/23

Full Review

R C

A big twist that makes you root for the mom to go through with it. Until you don't. Overall, a deliberate worthwhile escape.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/30/23

Full Review

Thomas S

Unfairly underscored in my opinion. A good film, with twists but easy to follow

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/13/23

Full Review

isla s

This was an interesting film - I liked seeing things from the childs perspective. Certainly at the start of the film there's no real clue as to the darker tone it'll take. It did feel like there were a few plots, or sub-plots, present in the one film and I did find myself a little unsure about when certain things had happened, which were clearly implied but then I admit I was a little distracted while watching it. It felt, to me, like a somewhat/relatively original watch (not entirely original but somewhat original), given the form and viewpoint that its taken from. I enjoyed watching the brothers get along together and I thought the cast did well. I suppose I'd have liked to have seen a bit more in terms of what Henry saw the apparently suspicious neighbour doing. I couldn't not feel empathy towards Henry's mother, given the circumstances and I certainly felt frustrated at how she treated her sons suspicions at first. Its an interesting, somewhat thought provoking watch, not one suitable for young children given the themes, although it does appear to be a family film at first, with the children of the family seeming relatively innocent and childlike, except for the clearly mature intelligence of the titular character Henry but the tone becomes decidedly darker after a while. I'd recommend this film on the proviso that its an emotional and potentially upsetting watch at times, as it deals with abuse.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Colin Trevorrow

Director

Naomi Watts

Susan Carpenter

Jaeden Martell

Henry Carpenter

Jacob Tremblay

Peter Carpenter

Sarah Silverman

Sheila

Dean Norris

Glenn Sickleman

The Book of Henry: Official Clip - Believe in Magic

2:57

The Book of Henry: Official Clip - Henry Has a Tumor

2:26

The Book of Henry: Official Clip - Know Who You're Up Against

2:35

The Book of Henry: Official Clip - Henry's Big Plan

2:56

The Book of Henry: Official Clip - The Talent Show

2:43

The Book of Henry: Official Clip - The Best Part of Me

2:58

The Book of Henry: Official Clip - Christina's Dance

3:44

The Book of Henry: Official Clip - The Genius and the Nobody

2:41

The Book of Henry: Official Clip - Something's Wrong with Henry

2:49

The Book of Henry: Official Clip - Peter's Special Mission

2:54

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The Book of Henry: Trailer 1

2:22

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Synopsis

Single mother Susan Carpenter works as a waitress alongside her feisty family friend Sheila. Taking care of everyone and everything in his own way is Susan's older son Henry. Protective of his brother and a tireless supporter of his often self-doubting mother, Henry blazes through the days like a comet. When Susan discovers that the family next door harbors a dark secret, she's surprised to learn that Henry has devised a plan to help the young daughter.

Director: Colin Trevorrow
Producer: Sidney Kimmel, Jenette Kahn, Adam Richman, Carla Hacken
Screenwriter: Gregg Hurwitz
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Double Nickel Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 16, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.2M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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