The Road

R

Released Dec 18, 2009

1 hr. 50 min.

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Sci-Fi

List

74%

217 Reviews

Tomatometer

68%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

America is a grim, gray shadow of itself after a catastrophe. A man (Viggo Mortensen) and his young son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) wander through this post-apocalyptic world, trying to keep the dream of civilization alive. They journey toward the sea, surviving as best they can on what they can scavenge, and try to avoid roving gangs of savage humans who will turn them into slaves, or worse.

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Critics Consensus

The Road's commitment to Cormac McCarthy's dark vision may prove too unyielding for some, but the film benefits from hauntingly powerful performances from Viggo Mortensen and Kodi McPhee.

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Sam P

Unflinchingly brilliant and hauntingly bleak, this depiction of a post-apocalyptic future captures the raw essence of despair and survival. Under John Hillcoat's direction, the film offers a grim vista with barely a glimmer of hope, challenging the viewer's endurance as much as it does its characters'. It's a harrowing ordeal to watch, yet isn't that the hallmark of truly impactful cinema?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/22/24

Full Review

Pedro G

Muy buena película, una cinta con una historia desoladora muy bien contada. Esta película nos presenta una historia en un mundo post apocalíptico, en el que predominan los colores grises y marrones, con un mundo muy bien construido y planteado en el que hay pocos sobrevivientes y todo es peligroso. Me encanto el trabajo del director al momento de contar la historia y mostrarnos este mundo desolado, sumado al excelente trabajo de la fotografía. Es una película con momentos fuertes y que te hacen ver mal a la humanidad y conocer su peor lado al ver como nadie tiene piedad por nadie y como todos hacen lo que sea por sobrevivir. La química de padre e hijo vista es fantástica y empatizas muy rápido con los personajes, aunque ambos tengan sus diferencias en todo momento y hacen de que dudes de que lo que hacen esta bien o mal, pero vas a terminar entendiendo cualquiera de las decisiones. Lo único que no me gusto de la película fueron los momentos en los que se muestra el pasado, ya que en mi opinión desentonaban un poco con todo lo que estaba pasando y no contaban muchas cosas importantes. El final es algo que me gusto, es bastante triste por lo que pasa y creo que tiene diferentes interpretaciones ya que no se sabe si realmente paso eso. Por ultimo, destacar las actuaciones las cuales son brillantes, principalmente las de Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee y Charlize Theron. En conclusión, una muy buena película que es muy entretenida en todo momento y cuenta una historia desoladora y emotiva, con unas actuaciones fantásticas por parte de ambos protagonistas. Muy recomendada.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/24

Full Review

Breno G

Special Effects: 1,0/Sound Effects: 0,5/Acting: 0,5/Story: 0,5

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/24

Full Review

Scarface

One of the best films ever made

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/24

Full Review

claudia q

It is terrible that they would let a child participate in a movie seeing mock suicide and seeing an adult put a gun inside his mouth. There is probably more junk, but I stopped the movie at that point. What a lack of respect for children. How can a parent allow his/her child to participate in that. I wouldn't be surprise if this child grows up to commit suicide because this brain damage caused in his childhood. Children are just not capable of fully understanding things. They are not mentally ready for that. Even for adults it is always hard to see suicide in movies. This director and parents should go to jail for that. We need more laws to protect our children.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/14/24

Full Review

Patrick B

Brilliant film, I enjoyed every haunting second of it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/05/24

Full Review

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John Hillcoat

Director

Viggo Mortensen

The Man

Kodi Smit-McPhee

The Boy

Charlize Theron

Wife

Robert Duvall

Old Man

Guy Pearce

The Veteran

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Shadow and Act Staff

Shadow and Act

I still recommend The Road; just keep in mind that this is Cormac McCarthy's post-apocalyptic tale, not Richard Matheson's.

Sep 13, 2022

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

I cannot say how faithful this is but, having read other McCarthy books, would say the novel probably repaid your attention with its astonishing prose. This, though, puts you through the wringer, but doesn't repay you in any way.

Aug 30, 2018

Full Review

Ed Koch

The Atlantic

It wasn't fascinating at all. The movie looked like it cost $500 to make, excluding actors' salaries, which were worth another $500.

Jan 16, 2018

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Plan to see it twice—once to familiarize yourself with its unconventional, non-commercial method of storytelling, and a second time that allows you to submerge into the material, to appreciate how stunningly composed it is.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 30, 2023

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

While such a depressing, disturbing and disquieting conceit will not be everyone's ideal of almost two hours entertainment, The Road is one of the great films of the 21st century.

Rated: 5/5

May 31, 2023

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

One of the more impressive displays of solemn storytelling and superb acting seen this year.

Rated: 7/10

Nov 29, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

America is a grim, gray shadow of itself after a catastrophe. A man (Viggo Mortensen) and his young son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) wander through this post-apocalyptic world, trying to keep the dream of civilization alive. They journey toward the sea, surviving as best they can on what they can scavenge, and try to avoid roving gangs of savage humans who will turn them into slaves, or worse.

Director: John Hillcoat
Executive Producer: Todd Wagner, Mark Cuban, Rudd Simmons, Marc Butan
Screenwriter: Joe Penhall
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: 2929 Productions, Chockstone Pictures, Dimension Films
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Images|Some Violence)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.1M
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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