The Road

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The Road

R

Released Dec 18, 2009

1h 50m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

216 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

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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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

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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

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Bleak and grim are understatements. It's hard to come away liking a movie with this little innocence or hope.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 28, 2025

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Michael Leader

Den of Geek

While The Road is not without its impressive aspects, it has not efficiently pulled taut the slack created by the loss of McCarthy’s commanding prose. And so, it is hard to avoid the sense that it needn’t have been made at all.

Rated: 3/5

May 7, 2024

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

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BJ F

It’s okay but I think the ending sucked!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/08/25

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Spike D

How can a film that outwardly possesses so little hope manage to give so much of it to you?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

Full Review

Jonathan B

Contrived and dumb. Shame on Vigo and CT for doing this movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/16/25

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Gareth v

A grim but emotionally resonant post-apocalyptic tale that stays with you long after watching.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

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Jace T

While is has been a while since I have seen The Road, I can't escape the isolating feeling of depression this movie oozes in every corner. However, there are glimmers of hope and love on display here as well. It really just goes to show how even in a cursed and hopeless world, there is always something to keep surviving for. The Road is as beautiful as it is sad. I believe it is a movie you should at least see once.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Gabriel T

It was shocking and heartbreaking. It has been a long time since I watched nothing so melancholy and depressing. Everything is grey, devastated and devastating

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

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

The Road: Official Clip - The Last Man Alive

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The Road: Official Clip - The Coast

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The Road: Official Clip - From Another World

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The Road: Official Clip - Earthquake

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The Road: Official Clip - The Thief

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The Road: Official Clip - First Kill

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The Road: Official Clip - Her Final Gift

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The Road: Official Clip - God Never Spoke

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The Road: Official Clip - Human Livestock

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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
Producer: Paula Mae Schwartz, Steve Schwartz, Nick Wechsler
Screenwriter: Joe Penhall
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Dimension Films, Chockstone Pictures, 2929 Productions
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
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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