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%

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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

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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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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

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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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James Croot

The Post 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

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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

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Adelynn P

sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Dani G

Pessimistic, post-apocalyptic, grey, father-son, survival film. Not corny, not encouraging, just what it is

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

Full Review

Torin F

THE ROAD is melancholic and bleak, a funereal post-apocalyptic survival saga utterly stripped of fantasy or heroics. It's a beautifully crafted film, often hauntingly so, at times gripping but ultimately requiring commitment to endure. The ending, though hopeful, highlights the emotional distance of the preceding 2+ hours as perhaps justifiable, even necessary, but also somewhat unsatisfying. A memorable experience for sure, but not one that welcomes repeat viewing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/04/25

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Dallas W

How did I miss this movie? Finally streamed it last night and I was glued. The cinematography and the flow of the movie was fantastic! I highly recommend if you are looking for for a gripping dystopian movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/04/25

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Jah F

Well acted and choreographed, it's very intense and takes all of the glory out of apocalyptic survival..just as it should. Excellent.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

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

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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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