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A History of Violence (2005)

tomatometer

87

Average Rating: 7.9/10
Reviews Counted: 206
Fresh: 179 | Rotten: 27

A History of Violence raises compelling and thoughtful questions about the nature of violence, while representing a return to form for director David Cronenberg in one of his more uncharacteristic pieces.

95

Average Rating: 8.4/10
Critic Reviews: 42
Fresh: 40 | Rotten: 2

A History of Violence raises compelling and thoughtful questions about the nature of violence, while representing a return to form for director David Cronenberg in one of his more uncharacteristic pieces.

audience

68

liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 251,542

My Rating

Movie Info

David Cronenberg directed this screen adaptation of a graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke which explores how an act of heroism unexpectedly changes a man's life. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) lives a quiet life in a small Indiana town, running the local diner with his wife, Edie (Maria Bello), and raising their two children. But the quiet is shattered one day when a pair of criminals on the run from the police walk into his diner just before closing time. After they attack one of the

R,

Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

Josh Olson

Mar 14, 2006

$31.4M

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All Critics (206) | Top Critics (42) | Fresh (190) | Rotten (27) | DVD (38)

The less you know about this movie before seeing it -- and you really should see it -- the better.

April 15, 2013 Full Review Source: Associated Press
Associated Press
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Cronenberg's direction, mirroring the split in Tom, is alternately measured and frighteningly explosive, and, as always, he gives the movie a nasty underlay of sexual perversity.

April 15, 2013 Full Review Source: New Yorker
New Yorker
Top Critic IconTop Critic

This peculiarly predictable picture has been calculated, or miscalculated, to set up certain expectations, fulfill them, and then do the same thing again, thereby giving us a chance to see what's coming and, at least in theory, be shocked.

April 15, 2013 Full Review Source: Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A remarkably convincing examination of heroism, hero worship, and the seductive allure of villainy.

May 12, 2006 Full Review Source: New York Magazine
New York Magazine
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A model of clean, lean storytelling.

October 2, 2005 Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Though this is certainly Cronenberg's most 'mainstream' movie in years, the fact that it's so immediately enjoyable as a terrific thriller does not diminish its less obvious virtues.

October 1, 2005 Full Review Source: Time Out
Time Out
Top Critic IconTop Critic

With A History Of Violence, Cronenberg uses the pulp gangster genre - as opposed to, say, sci-fi horror -- to draw us into a dialogue on our relationship as voyeurs to violence, both real and cinematic.

November 7, 2012 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine Australasia
Empire Magazine Australasia

Without conceding any of his iconoclastic vision, Cronenberg has turned a genre film with classic Western overtones into a gripping psychological drama that examines the duality of man and his infatuation with the art of violence.

April 20, 2011 Full Review Source: Metro Times (Detroit, MI)
Metro Times (Detroit, MI)

While it weakens in its final stretch...A History of Violence succeeds enormously thanks to the strength of its direction and performances.

August 16, 2010 Full Review Source: Cinema Writer
Cinema Writer

A truly entertaining and engrossing study of violence, family, and our pasts eventually coming back to haunt us...

June 23, 2010 Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed
Cinema Crazed

The violence that enters the characters' perfect domestic existence is permanent, and each act reveals truths about the people who use it and the audience who enjoys it.

June 7, 2010 Full Review Source: AskMen.com

Impeccable formal control to match audacity is mandatory, and Cronenberg provides it

September 1, 2009 Full Review Source: CinePassion
CinePassion

...filled with riveting performances and enough thought and action to keep most audiences intrigued. (Blu-ray Edition)

February 14, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis
Movie Metropolis

The movie begins slowly, methodically, and builds increasingly toward a devastating climax.

February 14, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis
Movie Metropolis

As a startling wake-up call to our desensitization of violent imagery, masked in the guise of a superficial, standard-fare gangster tome, A History of Violence has already earned an assured place in the annals of cinema.

December 23, 2008 Full Review Source: IGN Movies
IGN Movies

Complex examination of violence. Definitely not for kids.

July 16, 2008 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media

It's one of the better dramas of the year so far -- even if at times it feels like an artistic genius is painting by numbers.

January 15, 2008 Full Review Source: Dark Horizons
Dark Horizons

The tension builds in a slow boil, then ignites furiously when we're not quite ready for it.

September 17, 2007 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com
eFilmCritic.com

Mr. Mortensen and the sparse, intelligent script hold it together.

July 14, 2007 Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound
Big Picture Big Sound

pri%u010Da o obi%u010Dnim ljudima u neobi%u010Dnim situacijama

June 22, 2007 Full Review Source: Index.hr

The master is back, with this remarkably accessible tale of anger and revenge.

June 21, 2007 Full Review Source: Film Scouts
Film Scouts

It's that personal courage to question the way things are, that elevates this film way above even its impressive enough status as an exceedingly effective thriller.

May 8, 2007 Full Review Source: Long Island Press
Long Island Press

Audience Reviews for A History of Violence

it's good at he beginning, but the movie is ruining the graphic novel. its much better in graphic novel.
Dammit
December 3, 2012
Two bullies corner a quiet kid in a crowded school corridor and verbally humiliate him, calling him a coward. The quiet kid thereupon beats the living daylights out of the tough kids. So, in one instance, Cronenberg considers our societal relationship with violence: we like to say we deride it but actually but we always stop to watch. Too bad that its only a question of ethics presented and not a complete story, because after asking the question the director never follows through. As its Cronenberg, one does leave thinking: "that was one hell of a question!"
September 8, 2007
UniversalDreamer

Super Reviewer

    1. Richie Cusack: How do you fuck that up? How do you FUCK THAT UP?!
    – Submitted by Matt H (16 months ago)
    1. Jack Stall: If I rob Mulligan's pharmacy, are you going to ground me if I don't give you a piece of the action? If I go to Sam about you, will you have me whacked?
    – Submitted by rob g (2 years ago)
    1. Carl Fogarty: Still crazy fucking Joey.
    – Submitted by rob g (2 years ago)

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Latest News on A History of Violence

September 26, 2008:
Paramount Taking Child's One Shot with Olson
Paramount has hired "A History of Violence" screenwriter Josh Olson to pen an adaptation of Lee...

December 24, 2007:
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October 2, 2007:
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You guys! Check it out! You aren't going to believe this, but...it's a news item about a remake!

Foreign Titles

  • History Of Violence (DE)
  • Una historia de violencia (ES)
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