
Willard
2003, Horror, 1h 40m
129 Reviews 10,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
In this creepy story of a man and his rodents, Glover seems born to play the oddball title character. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
Willard Photos
Movie Info
Desperate for companionship, the repressed Willard (Crispin Glover) befriends a group of rats that inhabit his late father's deteriorating mansion. In these furry creatures, Willard finds temporary refuge from daily abuse at the hands of his bedridden mother (Jackie Burroughs) and his father's old partner, Frank (R. Lee Ermey). Soon it becomes clear that the brood of rodents is ready and willing to exact a vicious, deadly revenge on anyone who dares to bully their sensitive new master.
Cast & Crew
Crispin Glover
Willard Stiles
Willard Stiles
R. Lee Ermey
Mr. Martin
Mr. Martin
Jackie Burroughs
Henrietta Stiles
Henrietta Stiles
Ashlyn Gere
Ms. Leach
Ms. Leach
David Parker
Detective Boxer
Detective Boxer
Laura Harring
Cathryn
Cathryn
Critic Reviews for Willard
Audience Reviews for Willard
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May 25, 2013The remake of the 1971 film Willard starring Crispin Glover in the titular role as a social misfit who only has rats for friends is one of those remakes that is actually quite entertaining. While nowadays remakes tend to disappoint, this is an enjoyable film that is can successfully creep you out, because let's face it, rats are just gross. Crispin Glover is quite good here, and I've always enjoyed seeing him in films. He is a talented actor that be humorous and yet creepy, such is the case with Willard. Fans of the original film might like this, and it is a well crafted film that shows us that not all remakes are bad. The film is creepy and at times pretty funny, border lining on cheesy, but Crispin Glover keeps you involved and he is able to convey ridiculousness and seriousness into one performance that keeps you entertained from start to finish. Willard is a good film that keeps elements of the original intact, while freshening up the formula to create something new at the same time. You are most likely to enjoy this film if you loved the original, and though it was a good film, the original left room for improvement and this remake touches on those elements. Remakes tend to be hit and miss, but I really liked this film, it had the right amount of creepy material mixed with dark humor to make it quite a worthy update on a classic horror film. Crispin Glover is great here and he delivers in his performance as the reclusive title character. This is a prime example of a well crafted remake that is fun and entertaining from start to finish due to its cast, direction and well executed story. Although it may be silly at times, there is a certain chill factor within the film that you simply can't ignore.Alex r Super Reviewer
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Jan 10, 2012Excellent score and acting. Crispin Glover is amazingly well at portraying the titular character. It's a horror film? Wasn't scary at all. The direction was very nice, I love the final scene where he was in the house. I suppose it's a black comedy cuz there were a lot of tongue in cheek moments, it's a nice little film to watch.Sylvester K Super Reviewer
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Aug 01, 2011A very disturbing, yet fun horror movie. It's pretty much a movie about a man obssessed with rats. It was very fun to watch, and i really enjoyed it. I wouldn't consider it a classic, though.Jacob P Super Reviewer
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Jan 24, 2011Probably only works as a horror if you're scared of rats. I don't find them particularly menacing, even as a squirming, darkly-lit, devouring mass. Willard's a clever film, though, and it's buoyed by a reliably demented performance by Crispin Glover. Fevered, desperate and lonely, it's like he wears his neuroses on his face and no one has the capacity to see them. When things fall apart, it's especially rewarding for the viewer to have been aware of this precariously unbalanced man all along; the events of the end are a surprise to everyone but us. This dissolution, again, isn't particularly frightening. With Glover and R. Lee Ermey's performances, as well as some absolutely bonkers set pieces (the cat), the ridiculousness of the film is turned up to a dull hum, and its flourishes of black comedy feel like the parts it's most comfortable with. One could probably chalk this vague disappointment up to mismarketing, in the vein of Bug, but I felt as I watched Willard that it was legitimately trying for horror. It can be squicky and uncomfortable at times, but horrific? Barely.Drew S Super Reviewer
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