A History of Violence
New Line Cinema | Release Date: September 23, 2005
7.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 898 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
648
Mixed:
98
Negative:
152
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
1
SchmidtFeb 8, 2011
It really does believe in itself. Really. Which is tragic, because it is a totally unnecessary and ridiculous mess that I am, to this day, ashamed to ever have seen. Most annoyingly of all, however, is how grossly overrated this sack ofIt really does believe in itself. Really. Which is tragic, because it is a totally unnecessary and ridiculous mess that I am, to this day, ashamed to ever have seen. Most annoyingly of all, however, is how grossly overrated this sack of over-confident, half-hearted nonsense is. If you are into films, please do not listen to what you hear, and AVOID this film. Utterly shameful.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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ElieOct 1, 2005
This was the worst movie I have ever seen. The writing was the biggest bunch of hack tripe I have ever heard. I cannot believe even one critic liked this. Don't see this. It will make you angry.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
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JohnstonOct 8, 2005
This film is so bad it is not even worthy of a score of 1. The first 5 minutes are predictable and from there it disintergrates before your very eyes. It loses all credibility after 30 minutes from which there is no escape. It just becomes This film is so bad it is not even worthy of a score of 1. The first 5 minutes are predictable and from there it disintergrates before your very eyes. It loses all credibility after 30 minutes from which there is no escape. It just becomes more awful by the frame. The ending is so preposterous it is not even worth commenting about. The director needs a reality check? Avoid at all costs.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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AaronS.Jul 24, 2006
You've got to be kidding. This is a dopey, unrealistic, wooden movie that thinks showing a few scalps blowing off makes it a dangerous, deep look at violence. That scene on the stairs or in the locker room. If you thought that was an You've got to be kidding. This is a dopey, unrealistic, wooden movie that thinks showing a few scalps blowing off makes it a dangerous, deep look at violence. That scene on the stairs or in the locker room. If you thought that was an insight into the human condition, or even marginal acting, you should stick to Scary Movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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SP.Jun 8, 2007
A History of Violence is, no holds barred, the worst movie I have ever seen. Every part of the movie (writing, directing, producing, camera angles, acting) appeared to have been fulfilled by the equivalent of a high school student attempting A History of Violence is, no holds barred, the worst movie I have ever seen. Every part of the movie (writing, directing, producing, camera angles, acting) appeared to have been fulfilled by the equivalent of a high school student attempting to complete his end-of-the-semester project the night before it was due. Case in point: The horrendous cheerleader love scene. Whoever wrote that part of the script can feel slightly less bad about his lack of talent by comparing himself to the lumpen who shot the scene.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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MarkC.Oct 22, 2005
I want my money and time back. The acting was beyond wooden, the story was pointless, and the writing was horrible. The people who think this movie is great are the ones who think that's what the "cool" people are saying.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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RichardCOct 29, 2005
Terrible. Random sex scenes and enough violence to make Sin City look like Mr. Rodger's Neighborhood combine to make the most pointless and disturbing movie I've ever seen.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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MorganM.Oct 3, 2005
This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. In a movie every scene is supposed to relate to either the end or the charactor or a turning point to either the postive or nagative. To have sex scenes with none of the above criteria is at This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. In a movie every scene is supposed to relate to either the end or the charactor or a turning point to either the postive or nagative. To have sex scenes with none of the above criteria is at less bad writing and is more then likly titlation(SP) for it's own sake. Unfortuneatly, even sex for sex sakes they don't manage to do well. Mortensen and Bello are just not attractive.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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JuniorB.Oct 7, 2005
I subscribe to the KISS principal so I'll keep this quite brief.....THIS MOVIE SUCKS!!!! Read all of the other comments that trash this flick and there is no more to be said.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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SriV.Oct 8, 2005
This is among the worst movies I've ever seen. It is basically composed of a few scenes of graphic violence + some scenes of sex + lots of garbage. I don't know how it got such high ratings here.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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JesseJ.Oct 8, 2005
The only thing "beautiful" about this movie, is that I will never, ever have to see it again.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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HollisH.Oct 8, 2005
This was absolutely dreadful. Honestly, I cannot remember the last time I saw a movie that I would consider this horrid in a long, long time, especially one that I saw in the theater. This movie was laughable with it's half-boiled drama This was absolutely dreadful. Honestly, I cannot remember the last time I saw a movie that I would consider this horrid in a long, long time, especially one that I saw in the theater. This movie was laughable with it's half-boiled drama and silly writing. There was no point to the ending violent spree, it didn't propel the narrative forward whatsoever. If you want to see Viggo at his best, you MUST see The Indian Runner, but stay far away from this drivel.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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JaneOct 9, 2005
In a word - Awful!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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PhengY.Apr 21, 2006
Truly repulsive and inane. My little brother can produce and direct a better movie of the same name if it were a contest. Am I missing something that the critics are seeing.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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LarryOct 13, 2005
This movie was so hyped that I couldn't wait to see it? By now I should know better. It was awful with a capital A. The acting was terrible; the plot preposterous;and the ending was so unrealistic that it gave the dysfunction Tom Cruise This movie was so hyped that I couldn't wait to see it? By now I should know better. It was awful with a capital A. The acting was terrible; the plot preposterous;and the ending was so unrealistic that it gave the dysfunction Tom Cruise and War of The Worlds a run for its money as the worst ever. This movie is a total bomb. And please if we want to see soft porn we can rent it. No need to see Maria and Vig do their thing on the stair case. I wanted to puke.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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AlexO.Oct 14, 2005
Possibly the worst movie of the decade. This movie is so bad it hurts to even think about it. I paid $7.00 to see it and walked out halfway through it. The movie is schizophrenic, it goes from Gory (showing vivid images of a mans jaw being Possibly the worst movie of the decade. This movie is so bad it hurts to even think about it. I paid $7.00 to see it and walked out halfway through it. The movie is schizophrenic, it goes from Gory (showing vivid images of a mans jaw being shot off) to sexually explicit ( the husband and wife apparently enjoy 69 as a position) all the while breaking stride and providing useless scene after scene. The story had potential but the constant breaking of stride between scenes and the endless plot twists, along with the wooden and robot like preformances of all the actors involved....it is just too painful to keep writing. This is a movie you recommend to your most hated enemies. Garbaggio.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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CherSNov 5, 2005
Pop some corn at home and skip the lines. Silly movie, and some things just don't add up. No crowd at this movie, the word must be out.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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JessK.Nov 8, 2005
I don't know anyone who liked this movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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SharonF.Oct 30, 2005
This was one of the worst movies I have ever seen! The dialog was terrible, the scenes were choppy, the female character was overly emotional and some of the action didn't may any sense. We made fun of it all the way through, whoever This was one of the worst movies I have ever seen! The dialog was terrible, the scenes were choppy, the female character was overly emotional and some of the action didn't may any sense. We made fun of it all the way through, whoever wrote this script needs to take some lessons from Tarantino.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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BrianNOct 3, 2005
I walked out on this movie, first time I've done so in 15 years. We were laughing through the first 20 minutes. One of the most contrived, cliched character developments in film in a very long time. The only thing missing in the I walked out on this movie, first time I've done so in 15 years. We were laughing through the first 20 minutes. One of the most contrived, cliched character developments in film in a very long time. The only thing missing in the film's first act is a paper boy throwing the paper in the front lawn and a milkman dropping the bottles off to the missis. Sorry and pathetic.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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VictoriaH.Apr 12, 2006
I only watched this film, because I liked Viggo in "Hildago." This movie is a clunker. It is no better than a stupid Steven Segal flick. Watch this only if you like Cronenberg's fatalistic, dark view of existence where the I only watched this film, because I liked Viggo in "Hildago." This movie is a clunker. It is no better than a stupid Steven Segal flick. Watch this only if you like Cronenberg's fatalistic, dark view of existence where the 'hero' goes from a corn-fed Jimmy Stewart wannabe to a Steven Segal killing machine.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
JamesH.Feb 25, 2008
Boring dull film - you think something may happen then it just ends - absolute tosh.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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WackoOct 11, 2005
This movie is so overrated that it sucked. Just awful.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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AdrianNov 16, 2005
Laughable in every way imaginable. At the end it become a cartoon. This film is a total joke. Avoid at all costs.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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dickOct 12, 2005
This movie was bought and paid for by the Hollywood propaganda mill. It is awful. Self destructs before your very eyes.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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GeorgeG.Oct 13, 2005
This was an awful film. The acting was bad, the script was bad, the editing was bad. It was a waste of time. Watching the previews I thought it looked like a bad movie, but after seeing all the acclaim I thought I would give it a try. Should This was an awful film. The acting was bad, the script was bad, the editing was bad. It was a waste of time. Watching the previews I thought it looked like a bad movie, but after seeing all the acclaim I thought I would give it a try. Should have trusted my instincts.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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KatherineS.Nov 5, 2005
Terribly disappointing!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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KRectorOct 23, 2005
This is a terrible movie - the plot was unimaginably slow and there was useless sex. I can take subdued movies, but there was just god-awful.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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LindseyOct 25, 2005
Absolutely juvenile in the believability aspect but violent to an extreme. Just not believable in my humble opionion. And the ending was almost as bad as War Of The Worlds. Forgotten the minute you exit the theater.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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BoboS.Apr 19, 2006
I like virtually any and all gangster/crime/thriller/suspense films from every country in the world. I'm not very picky. I love all the B movies, too. I don't ask for much. This is simply the single most overrated, uninspired, I like virtually any and all gangster/crime/thriller/suspense films from every country in the world. I'm not very picky. I love all the B movies, too. I don't ask for much. This is simply the single most overrated, uninspired, insipid excuse for a movie I have ever seen. Clearly, powerful directors continue to have considerable sway over critics, which must be why Spielberg, Cronenberg, etc. get reviews totally unrelated to the merit of their work. This movie is an embarrassment to everyone in it. But don't blame the actors - with a story that is told and finished in the first 10 minutes and some of the silliest dialogue and pretentious sex scenes I have ever seen, it's not their fault, except that they took the parts presumably after reading the script (which I imagine was about three pages long).… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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StevenB.Jan 16, 2008
WTF!!! This was honestly the worst movie I have ever seen. I almost walked out. Its like a made for HBO movie from 84. The critics are all bought and paid for.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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AnonymousMCDec 14, 2005
As you can tell I did not enjoy this movie. I was not expecting a "cinematic bloodbath" and thus was neither shocked nor disappointed with the films amount of violence. That being said, I did not find the violence to be in any wayAs you can tell I did not enjoy this movie. I was not expecting a "cinematic bloodbath" and thus was neither shocked nor disappointed with the films amount of violence. That being said, I did not find the violence to be in any way referential to a predominant cultural perception of violence. If it was a stunning and subtle commentary on society, I would like to know what comment it was attempting to convey. That violence is inevitable because people will simply take advantage of you otherwise? Indeed, one could say that Mortenson was goaded into violence by his past, but once he received the initial impetus he lashed out at both his wife and his son making a compelling argument against his ability to confine his violent tendencies to a mere defensive stance. Or perhaps the message was: kill them before they kill you and then gon on with your life as if murder meant nothing. What a compelling and subtle way to cheapen the value of life by; presenting that those who are against you are expendable. One hardly feels any sympathy, however, for a man whose alleged attempts to start a new life is based upon lies and denial. Of course, most of the characters were predicated on stupidity; instead of perhaps catching a ride with one of his many acquaintances in town or perhaps using that thing they call a phone, "Tom" limps his whole way home. Rather than calling the police, the family stands around and waits for the bad guys to come get them at the big show-down between Mortenson and Harris. The mafia is apparently confined to one household. Tom throws his gun in the lake that is RIGHT NEXT TO THE MANSION after killing "the mafia". And of course all of these unfolded in a stale and predictable plotline (hm, I wonder if he's telling the truth? but not really. and yeah, this is the first time we've seen the kid whose picked on at school retaliate and come out on top). And then there is the dialogue. I admit, I would have upped my score if at the part where his brother says "So you like that? Living on a farm, milking cows and shit?" if Tom/Joey had turned and deadpanned "No. We don't milk the shit". But no, the dialogue was not understated, it was lacking in both emotion and content.
I have no problem with people who might have seen something in this movie that I didn't see. But I would ask them to cite because I just don't understand!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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DavidSNov 13, 2006
One of the worst movies I have ever seen. Simply a collosal disappointment. The acclaim heaped upon this movie by critics proves one thing: critics are shallow, simple-minded followers who are utterly devoid of creativity and unable to think One of the worst movies I have ever seen. Simply a collosal disappointment. The acclaim heaped upon this movie by critics proves one thing: critics are shallow, simple-minded followers who are utterly devoid of creativity and unable to think for themselves. It's too bad someone could not have spoken out against this movie earlier, before we all wasted our money and 96 minutes of our lives watching it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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LSDec 28, 2006
Extremely painful to watch. Boring; unbelievable; terrible dialog. HATED it. I am beyond shocked that the critics were sucked in by this crap.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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