A History of Violence

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A History of Violence

R

2005

1h 35m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

222 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

When a pair of petty criminals attempt to rob his small-town diner, Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) quickly and easily kills them both. In the flush of news coverage of Tom's seemingly heroic actions, a threatening stranger named Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) comes to town, fingering the unassuming family man as long-missing Philadelphia mobster Joey Cusack. To the horror of his wife, Edie (Maria Bello), and teenage son, Jack (Ashton Holmes), Tom finds he must confront his violent past.

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Critics Consensus

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.

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Christy Lemire

Associated Press

04/15/2013

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

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David Denby

The New Yorker

04/15/2013

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.

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

04/15/2013

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.

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

Oct 21

Smoothly-paced, profoundly quiet, and possessing bursts of disquieting violence, "A History of Violence" is as affecting now as it was in its original 2005 release, perhaps more-so in the current landscape of cinematic entertainment.

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

Oct 20

4.5/5

A History of Violence may not be that complicated a tale, but with a marvelous, Oscar-nominated screenplay by Josh Olson and an incredible ensemble, it becomes a riveting experience that utilizes its story elements to deliver a compelling narrative.

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Joshua Ryan

FandomWire

Oct 10

9/10

It’s darkly comedic, brutally violent, and strangely orchestrated in the way that only Cronenberg can manage.

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Robert T

@Thorntonis 5h

What an extreme waste of talent. From Mortensen to Bello, Harris and William Hurt! The only surprise to the ending is that William Hurt would take an easy payday to phone this performance in. It’s not really the actors fault however. The dialogue was literally sophomoric. At just over 90 minutes I don’t know how they even tried to tell this story. Not that it hasn’t been told numerous times before. Nothing new here except why the otherwise talented actors wasted their time. Direction, soundtrack, acting by supporting cast, all horrible. I tuned in to see Mortensen because every movie I’ve seen him in has been great. This wasn’t. Even Maria Bello, who I love, was terrible in this. Why was she acting like a stepford wife??? Smiling like a smitten kitten at her husband every second. What was the direction she received for her scenes? Be as creepy and unrealistic as you can? Again. No words. Even though it was only an hour and a half, I want that time back.

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Keith B.

@Okbullard 4d

Just another amazing film that proves great acting and storyline trumps a huge budget every time. I'd never heard of this one but was so happy I watched it. I've always liked Ed Harris since The Right Stuff and Pollack just to name two of his numerous projects. Virgo Mortensen and Maria Bello were exceptional together. Give it a look you won't be disappointed.

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Pootger H

@RT34728409 May 1

Paper thin plot, cliched story beats and a "twist" that is spelled out 20 minutes into the movie. The pacing is so slow, scenes that advance the plot feel like bits of plastic floating in a sea of boredom. So much acting potential (and 90 minutes of my life) wasted.

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Some O.

@Some1 Apr 23

A dull, boring movie with no element of suspense; the hero’s feats resemble those in Indian films.

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Gi S

@Gistevenn Apr 12

Good story, great performances by viggo, ed harris & maria bello.

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Feb 11

I really liked this movie. Enough to give it five stars. It was very short, especially for it's subject matter. I'm glad it wasn't hard to understand. Pair this one with Eastern Promises for a Mortensen Cronenberg double feature.

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David Cronenberg

Director

Viggo Mortensen

Tom Stall

Maria Bello

Edie Stall

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Ashton Holmes

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A History of Violence: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When a pair of petty criminals attempt to rob his small-town diner, Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) quickly and easily kills them both. In the flush of news coverage of Tom's seemingly heroic actions, a threatening stranger named Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) comes to town, fingering the unassuming family man as long-missing Philadelphia mobster Joey Cusack. To the horror of his wife, Edie (Maria Bello), and teenage son, Jack (Ashton Holmes), Tom finds he must confront his violent past.

Director: David Cronenberg
Producer: J.C. Spink, Chris Bender
Screenwriter: Josh Olson
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: Benderspink
Rating: R (Language|Graphic Sexuality|Nudity|Some Drug Use|Strong Brutal Violence)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 30, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 29, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.5M
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)