A History of ViolenceSynopsis and Overview

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  • A History of Violence
  • Opened September 23, 2005 | Runtime:1 hr 36 min
  • R
    strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use
  • Information for parents: Common Sense Media says not for kids. Read More
  • A stylized thriller from director David Cronenberg, A History of Violence examines how far a man is willing to go in his quest for redemption and to protect his family. Viggo Mortensen stars as Tom, a man who leads a quiet, charmed life with his Read More
  • Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ashton Holmes, William Hurt, Stephen McHattie
  • Director: David Cronenberg
  • Genres: Drama, Suspense/Thriller

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A History of Violence Recent Fan Reviews

  • Go

    Just recently saw and i think.....

    by Scoot M16

    This movie had a great story, i thought the acting was strikeingly pretty goodm, and the violence, i understand why they have 'VIOLENCE' in the title of the movie now. I won't spoil it, i'm just saying that it is a movie you must see at least once. After this rent Eastern Promises, same director, same actor, same greatness. I'll be writting a review on Eastern Promises so check it out.

  • So-so

    A History Of Violence

    by misscb

    A man just trying to protect his family...

  • So-so

    A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

    by lugubriousthespian

    I was taken aback to discover that David Cronenberg was at the helm of this mish-mosh of a movie. It's a classic case where the parts are at times greater than the whole with this tired old plot of a man's past catching up to him to cause emotional and physical calamities in his new life. Viggo Mortensen ably portrays Tom Stall, a man who has lived comfortably in a small rural town with his beautiful wife (nicely played by Maria Bello) and their two children for over 15 years, and owns a small diner on Main Street. After a near fatal attack at his establishment by two psychotic drifters, Tom receives unwanted media exposure and soon after, BAD MEN from his past come a callin'! Some of the violent episodes that follow are necessary I suppose just to pacify lovers of the even more idiotic graphic novel, but these scenes are ridiculously interwoven with truly bizarre sex scenes, some stilted subplots involving bullies at the son's school and a wretched showdown with WIlliam Hurt.

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A History of Violence Critic Reviews

Must Go! Avg. Critic Score 81 out of 100 Metascore ® based on all critic ratings.

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 100
    USA Today | Mike Clark

    Violence is in the spirit of the hardest-hitting film noir offerings from the...

  • 100
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    Other films this year will have to sweat bullets to match the explosive power...

  • 100
    The New York Times | Manohla Dargis

    A masterpiece of indirection and pure visceral thrills, David Cronenberg's...

  • 100
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    David Cronenberg's brilliant movie -- without a doubt one of the very best of...

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A History of Violence Movie Ratings + Reviews

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