The Gift

Name: The Gift
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Horror
Released: August 7, 2015
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 77
Cast: Jason Bateman, Joel Edgerton, Rebecca Hall

2015

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 565 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 565 Ratings

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The Gift

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Movie Details & Credits

Huayi Brothers Media | Release Date: August 7, 2015 | R

Starring: Jason Bateman, Joel Edgerton, Rebecca Hall

Summary: Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) are a young married couple whose life is going just as planned until a chance encounter with an acquaintance from Simon’s high school sends their world into a harrowing tailspin. Simon doesn’t recognize Gordo (Joel Edgerton) at first, but after a seemingly coincidental series of encounters andSimon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) are a young married couple whose life is going just as planned until a chance encounter with an acquaintance from Simon’s high school sends their world into a harrowing tailspin. Simon doesn’t recognize Gordo (Joel Edgerton) at first, but after a seemingly coincidental series of encounters and mysterious gifts prove troubling, a horrifying secret from their past is uncovered after nearly 20 years. As Robyn learns the unsettling truth about what happened between Simon and Gordo, she starts to question: how well do we really know the people closest to us, and are past bygones ever really bygones?… Expand

Director: Joel Edgerton

Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller, Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 108 min

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Critic Reviews

Kevin P. Sullivan

Aug 6, 2015

The real joy of The Gift is getting to that twisted goodness, because more than anything, Edgerton’s script and direction demonstrate a keen understanding of tension and what puts an audience on edge. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Aug 6, 2015

You may know Mr. Edgerton as the actor who played the cocksure SEAL squadron commander in “Zero Dark Thirty,” and Tom Buchanan in “The Great Gatsby.” Who knew, though, that his debut feature would be so stylishly crafted, intricately psychological and genuinely thrilling? Read full review

Richard Roeper

Aug 7, 2015

This is a tense, nerve-wracking thriller of the mind, with first-rate performances by Bateman, Hall and Edgerton — a tightly spun thriller with a wicked sense of humor and a wonderfully warped take on long-range karma. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Aug 6, 2015

All three leading performers are scarily convincing on the film's own tight, clammy terms. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Aug 9, 2015

Clever and atmospheric, the film has enough twists to keep the average viewer guessing. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

Aug 6, 2015

A surprisingly intelligent and effective (if slightly pulpy) psychological thriller. Read full review

Barbara VanDenburgh

Aug 6, 2015

It’s an assured debut from a rising star that nails tone and pace. It would be a solid summer thriller were it not grossly undermined by its astonishingly regressive treatment of its leading lady. Read full review

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User Reviews

Thegodfatherson

Aug 7, 2015

The Gift is surprisingly on of the absolute best thrillers of this year. Every frame grips you and makes your cringe. Jason Bateman and Joel Edgerton are fantastic, and Rebecca Hall is good as well. This is not a thriller, it is a horror movie, every moment is a jumpscare as Edgerton's lensThe Gift is surprisingly on of the absolute best thrillers of this year. Every frame grips you and makes your cringe. Jason Bateman and Joel Edgerton are fantastic, and Rebecca Hall is good as well. This is not a thriller, it is a horror movie, every moment is a jumpscare as Edgerton's lens captures the vision of a couple and their unusual friend. Amazing movie. Left me speechless.… Expand

30 of 36 users found this helpful306

Movie1997

Aug 16, 2015

Now this is one hell of a directorial debut. Joel Edgerton's "The Gift" is one of the most suspenseful thrillers in recent memory. For starters his writing and directing are masterfully crafted. The performances nothing short of amazing. The three main leads are unrecognizable (PaticularyNow this is one hell of a directorial debut. Joel Edgerton's "The Gift" is one of the most suspenseful thrillers in recent memory. For starters his writing and directing are masterfully crafted. The performances nothing short of amazing. The three main leads are unrecognizable (Paticulary Jason Bateman) and add lots of weight to the film overall. Don't go into this movie thinking that's it's the typical stalker horror flick. What this movie is truly about is how someone's actions can affect another persons' life. From either words, physical actions, etc. And it's a theme that doesn't try to hit you over the head with it, rather it smoothly takes its time to unfold. Sure it's first 15-20 minutes or so tend to play fairly by the numbers at first, but one our characters are introduced, it's literally a free for all. It's unpredictable and keeps you guessing til the very end. It's a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat as to where the story will go rather than its minor scares. Sure there are a few well done scares, but that's not what this movie is about. When you peel back the layers there is something truly original and unique that unfolds. Overall, Joel Edgerton knocks it out of the park with his first big theatrical debut. I'm going to give "The Gift" an A!… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

MadMaxFuryRoad

Aug 7, 2015

Smart unique movie with a surprisingly good performance from Jason Bateman. Like seriously, this guy can act and this movie was way more scary than I expected, even though it is not horror. There was no useless scene and it was just like fitting the pieces together to solve this great thriller.

5 of 8 users found this helpful53

Spangle

Aug 8, 2015

A taut, intense, adult thriller, The Gift is a film nerds dream. Packed to the brim with references to other films, thematically riveting, and above all, thrilling beyond all imagination, the film is incredibly well done. Thanks to a great script and direction from debut director JoelA taut, intense, adult thriller, The Gift is a film nerds dream. Packed to the brim with references to other films, thematically riveting, and above all, thrilling beyond all imagination, the film is incredibly well done. Thanks to a great script and direction from debut director Joel Edgerton, the story is a slow burn that really all comes together and still leaves you thinking about what you just experienced. Each line of dialogue is crucially important and revealing about the character who says it, but it is left to you to decipher what it could possibly mean. The film is also really well shot and much of the tension comes from the framing of these shots and the mystery surrounding the proceedings. Jason Bateman and Joel Edgerton are phenomenal in this one and Rebecca Hall also turns in a very strong performance. A film that will leave you wondering where the truth lies, The Gift is truly a "gift" to 2015 and stands as one of the best psychological thrillers in recent memory. It is haunting, scary, and thrilling, but above all, wildly entertaining.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

AxeT

Aug 9, 2015

Assuredly made little thriller, well acted, tonally correct (which is definitely not the case for most thrillers these days), and subtle in a good way with decent suspense this almost really delivers but goes slightly awry. Only slightly though and still leaves you disturbed in a way thatAssuredly made little thriller, well acted, tonally correct (which is definitely not the case for most thrillers these days), and subtle in a good way with decent suspense this almost really delivers but goes slightly awry. Only slightly though and still leaves you disturbed in a way that means it got to you. Most disturbing to me personally is the wearing of a watch on the right wrist such as Bateman and others do in it. Being left handed is no excuse whatsoever.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

TVJerry

Aug 13, 2015

Like some of his fellow comic actors, Jason Bateman goes serious for this role. He and his wife (Rebecca Hall) move into a new house and quickly encounter one of his old high school acquaintances (Joel Edgerton, who also wrote and directed). His eager friendship, unsolicited presents andLike some of his fellow comic actors, Jason Bateman goes serious for this role. He and his wife (Rebecca Hall) move into a new house and quickly encounter one of his old high school acquaintances (Joel Edgerton, who also wrote and directed). His eager friendship, unsolicited presents and off-kilter creepiness creates worrisome concerns for them and us. With the exception of one out-of-your-seat scare, the rest of the film is a slow-build physiological drama with increasingly mild suspense. It does go in an unexpected direction and there is a lot of conversation, but Edgerton has skillfully crafted the film into a quietly compelling thriller.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

shapesforms

Oct 26, 2015

Hollywood borrowing plot twist from more independent movies is just wrong. The whole plot twist has been done before in the spanish movie "Sleep Tight".

0 of 11 users found this helpful011

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91	#91 Best Movie of 2015
44	#44 Most Discussed Movie of 2015
48	#48 Most Shared Movie of 2015