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
0
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
5
MattA.Dec 9, 2005
I agree completely with the Wall Street Journal and The New Republic's reviews. This movie was unbelievably predictable. There wasn't anything intriguing about the plot that kept me guessing or on the edge of my seat. It I agree completely with the Wall Street Journal and The New Republic's reviews. This movie was unbelievably predictable. There wasn't anything intriguing about the plot that kept me guessing or on the edge of my seat. It wasn't even the interesting social commentary on violence in our society that many people were prasing it as. The only real bright spots were the performances, all uniformally excellent but especially the two leads, Mortensen and Bello. They keep the movie from being a total disappointment. I just wish that I could ask SFHB: what are the curveballs? DId we see the same movie?… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
JakeS.Dec 9, 2005
Entertaining but not engrossing, masterful, artful, or ingenious like others have said. I have found a few lapses in plot and Mortensen's preformance was weak at best. I wouldn't bother watching this.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MattH.Oct 31, 2005
I'm not going to say that everyone who disliked this film didn't get it, but it's darn close and the majority of negative comments posted here reflect in the competence of the reviewer, not the quality of the film. Best movie I'm not going to say that everyone who disliked this film didn't get it, but it's darn close and the majority of negative comments posted here reflect in the competence of the reviewer, not the quality of the film. Best movie of the year thus far, by far. A brilliant exploration of the perplexing relationship between human beings and their violent nature.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JaySep 23, 2005
Masterful compelling, unpredictable, intelligent, funny and of course violent with a purpose, this masterpiece of an art film diguising as a mainstream modern western dtamatic thriller is by far one if not the best film of the year, Viggo,Masterful compelling, unpredictable, intelligent, funny and of course violent with a purpose, this masterpiece of an art film diguising as a mainstream modern western dtamatic thriller is by far one if not the best film of the year, Viggo, Maria, Ed Harris William Hur, Cronenberg and the rest of the cast and crew should be proud of such contribution and collaboration of producing great art.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
jaket.Sep 28, 2005
Great movie...I just saw Broken Flowers and was bored to death by Bill Murray blankly staring at a television set for two hours. That was a pointless piece of garbage. This film is Broken Flower's foil. Although the movie gets a bit Great movie...I just saw Broken Flowers and was bored to death by Bill Murray blankly staring at a television set for two hours. That was a pointless piece of garbage. This film is Broken Flower's foil. Although the movie gets a bit strange midway, it all comes together in the end. I was suprised at how fast the plot was moving, but by the end of the movie, I realized that this was 97 minutes of pure entertainment. Superb acting (especially from William Hurt), and ingenious use of violence makes this film one of the year's best. If you are tired of Thumbsucker, Broken Flowers, Garden State and tired movies about middle aged men finding themselves in the midst of a midlige crisis, do yourself a favor and see this movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
lucas.Sep 29, 2005
Beautiful, disturbing, insanely multilayered story, pierce right through the heart of the effect of violence (perpetrated or undergoed) on "normal" people. Never backs down for a moment, never wimps out, but the violence (and there's Beautiful, disturbing, insanely multilayered story, pierce right through the heart of the effect of violence (perpetrated or undergoed) on "normal" people. Never backs down for a moment, never wimps out, but the violence (and there's some very bloody moment) is not the "cool" variant seen in about one million movies since "Reservoir Dogs" - it's swift, merciless, scary. Outstanding performance from everyone involved (Cronenberg confirm his status as the best director of actors around), and I appreciated immensely the lack of any visual pretension - there's plenty of style here, but it's all about the substance. Don't dare to miss this one!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
EonOct 15, 2006
Some user wrote "Is Pulp Fiction, or Terminator great for it
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
JustinK.Jan 29, 2006
Another overrated films. It's good, but great--No. Not worthy of any Oscar recognition in any categories other than Maria Bello for her wonderful performance.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
BobM.Feb 16, 2006
very disappointing given the critics' reviews. second rate thriller and very predictable.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
DanC.Mar 16, 2006
Unsatisfying and strange, at times the writing, dialogue, and even acting are weak. I'm a fan of all the main actors and expected to really like this film, but instead found it off-putting and so peculiar that I had trouble becoming Unsatisfying and strange, at times the writing, dialogue, and even acting are weak. I'm a fan of all the main actors and expected to really like this film, but instead found it off-putting and so peculiar that I had trouble becoming emotionally involved in what should have been a very compelling story. Much of what the main character does in reaction to events makes little sense. The son is badly miscast (not because he's a bad actor, but because he's too tall and obviously athletic to be the target of a high school bully in the real world). The professional critics seem to all love this one, but based on the overall user rating, it doesn't work nearly as well for real filmgoers. I agree.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
CarlaW.Mar 17, 2006
I will watch this movie once more to remind myself that I'm not sophisticated or smart because it was the worst movie that I've seen all year. It beat out two of my least liked movies, Junebug and Gods and Generals.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
CablesMar 18, 2006
I'm absolutely amazed at some of the comments that people are writing about this wonderful film. You thought it was too violent? Here's an idea... If you dont want to see a movie with graphic violence then maybe you shouldnt go I'm absolutely amazed at some of the comments that people are writing about this wonderful film. You thought it was too violent? Here's an idea... If you dont want to see a movie with graphic violence then maybe you shouldnt go see, "A History of Violence". Doesn't the title pretty much tell you what your getting into?… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
RussellS.Mar 21, 2006
A blistering, Jekyll & Hyde self-examination into the duality and casual savagery that permeates every aspect of life in the good ole' USA. Not to make a mockery of our day-to-day, but bring into closer view those ties that bind can A blistering, Jekyll & Hyde self-examination into the duality and casual savagery that permeates every aspect of life in the good ole' USA. Not to make a mockery of our day-to-day, but bring into closer view those ties that bind can also explode in happenstance. The enemy and terror is not some turbaned, robed desert ghost, but we in our permissive tolerance of weapons and their use as the necessary tools of the layman.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
JeremyW.Mar 29, 2006
Possibly one of the most poorly acted and scripted movies I've seen in the last few years...and I've seen plenty. There is not chemistry whatsoever between actors... The acting is atrocious at times and just plain funny at others. Possibly one of the most poorly acted and scripted movies I've seen in the last few years...and I've seen plenty. There is not chemistry whatsoever between actors... The acting is atrocious at times and just plain funny at others. I found myself laughing at moments of suspense because of the acting. The script was very poorly done with plenty of plot holes and uncomfortable lines that didn't even remotely fit the moment or situation. Avoid this movie. The pro critics definately dropped the ball on this one.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
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
10
J.YoungApr 28, 2006
I think A History of Violence will in time be recognized as the best film of 2005. For me, Spider was Cronenberg's first really adult movie, but with this film he has arrived as simply the best director working today; here he takes a I think A History of Violence will in time be recognized as the best film of 2005. For me, Spider was Cronenberg's first really adult movie, but with this film he has arrived as simply the best director working today; here he takes a comic book and manages to make a film that is somehow more topical than either Brokeback or Crash were. I left the theater haunted by this film in much the same way as Raging Bull had blown my mind 25 years ago (another masterpiece that didn't win the Oscar). Note, I have seen a lot of violent movies, but this film shocked me with a realism I didn't expect. What is more, the violence was not the point of the film either, despite the title. My wife thought the gangster characters were too over the top to believe; having lived in Philly and encountered real gangsters myself; I thought they were dead on.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
JamesD.Aug 29, 2006
The critics were way off on this one. Pretty much a terrible disapointment. It starts off like its going somewhere, making paralells between a few subplots, and as you think they are about to come together and cohere into an insightful The critics were way off on this one. Pretty much a terrible disapointment. It starts off like its going somewhere, making paralells between a few subplots, and as you think they are about to come together and cohere into an insightful social comentary, it takes a catastrophic nose dive and turns into a laughable revenge movie, devoid of any meaning. To add to it, the quality of the acting seems to dwindle at the same point, topping it off with William Hur'ts worst performance. Ed Harris was good, and I managed to sort of enjoy the awkward sex scenes and Chuck-Noresque fights at the end, mainly by laughing at them, but it was pretty much a waste of time.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
WalterF.Dec 19, 2007
I hope to see more of Viggo. He is in my opinion ,a brilliant actor. His moves to save his life were spectacular and could pass for a modern day "Achilles".
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
chrisrosicaDec 27, 2007
i agree with many others - this movie was horrible and laughable
examples - 1. gym class scene in the locker room - was this relevant to anything
2. the teenage actor -and whole storyline - i laughed several times 3. the sex scene oni agree with many others - this movie was horrible and laughable
examples - 1. gym class scene in the locker room - was this relevant to anything

2. the teenage actor -and whole storyline - i laughed several times

3. the sex scene on the stairs
4. william hurt gangster acting… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
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
6
LK.Apr 11, 2008
This movie kept me entertained, yet it was predictable and had little message. The acting was good, the plot nothing special.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
clNov 11, 2005
Disturbing, an exceptionally well written and well acted piece. The end is quite disconcerting. Although predictable; it was intensely portrayed - an excellent character study.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
PrintninjaNov 16, 2005
Predictable story, unerotic sex scenes, unemotional characters, unengaging plot, unplausible "historical" motivations, "violence" limited mainly to a few rediculous fight scenes (hey, at least they didn't use wires.) Basically a lot of Predictable story, unerotic sex scenes, unemotional characters, unengaging plot, unplausible "historical" motivations, "violence" limited mainly to a few rediculous fight scenes (hey, at least they didn't use wires.) Basically a lot of character types we've seen before, doing things far less effectively then their predecessors. The last 20 minutes, (which by that time has you praying for some sort of payday for all your patience), is so contrived it is barely watchable. The ending is so insipid you may burst our laughing (I did - no doubt to stop myself from screaming.) Summary: Uniquely unoriginal. Stay home. You've seen it all before, done better, in better movies. *The 2 (rather then 1) is for the Cronenburg gore we've all come to know and love.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
VincentV.Nov 18, 2005
I wouldn't listen to those who give it horrid reviews. The truth is, this was a great, well written film.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
frankb.Nov 24, 2005
Excellent.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
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
10
PDignamDec 29, 2005
Excellent movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
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
0
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
10
alejandro970Sep 26, 2021
One of the few examples where the violence in a film is justified because it is its vital element. The hallmark that distinguishes Cronenberg - that of causing a commotion - is present and with Viggo Mortensen, who in his hands is like freshOne of the few examples where the violence in a film is justified because it is its vital element. The hallmark that distinguishes Cronenberg - that of causing a commotion - is present and with Viggo Mortensen, who in his hands is like fresh clay to mold to his liking. As a complement: the entrance sequence is to make the Devil's hair stand on end.… Expand
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6
SowarAug 7, 2023
Incredibly overrated. The dialogue is so corny and the acting is ordinary. The character development is poor and there are plot holes aplenty.
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8
Exigent93Jun 4, 2021
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10
Stagger74Jul 13, 2021
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