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Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ashton Holmes, William Hurt, Stephen McHattie ... see more see more... , Peter MacNeill , Ed Harris , Heidi Hayes , Greg Bryk , Kyle Schmid

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) l... read more read more...ives 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 customers and seem ready to kill several of the people inside, Tom jumps to the fore, grabbing a gun from one of the criminals and killing the invaders. Tom is immediately hailed as a hero by his employees and the community at large, but Tom seems less than comfortable with his new notoriety. One day, a man with severe facial scars, Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris), sits down at the counter and begins addressing Tom as Joey, and begins asking him questions about the old days in Philadelphia. While Tom seems puzzled, Carl's actions suggest that the quiet man pouring coffee at the diner may have a dark and violent past he isn't eager to share with others -- as well as some old scores that haven't been settled. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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68% liked it

251,542 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

202 critics

R, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: David Cronenberg

Release Date: September 30, 2005

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DVD Release Date: March 14, 2006

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Stats: 14,271 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (14,271)

  • moonrivers
    May 14, 2012
    moonrivers
    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... read more 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!"
  • joelkelly319
    October 27, 2011
    joelkelly319
    A History of Violence is an intriguing and thought stirring thriller from Director David Cronenberg. The story follows a man trying to rid himself of a violent past, and settle into family life. But, un-fortunately, his past comes back to haunt him in the form of Ed Harris. The c... read moreharacters are the driving force behind this film, and each one is well performed and leave a noticeable impression on the viewer. At some points this film can be a little dialogue heavy, it can fell as if your just being brought from one seen of some talking heads, to another. But the payoff makes any boredom generated by this worthwhile, and the final scene is one of the best endings I've ether seen in a film. So, I recommend this film as an incisive tale about attitudes towards violence.
  • fb1664868775
    October 27, 2011
    fb1664868775
    Cronenberg's return to form.
  • fb100001050230219
    August 24, 2011
    fb100001050230219
    Superbly acted, always engaging and thought-provoking, Cronenberg's violent drama examines heroism and how violence can affect a family masterfully.
  • fb100001048934982
    March 12, 2011
    fb100001048934982
    An interesting take by Cronenberg, but I wasn't involved completely the entire time. I pretty good film though, deserves another look (by me).
  • ythelastman89
    August 27, 2010
    ythelastman89
    I think this is a really good movie. Sure, it got way too much praise and is over analyzed, but that doesn't take away from it being good. Ed Harris totally dominates the movie as being a completely creepy villain, reminding me of a 70s henchman. Viggo Mortensen is good too, much... read more of the movie is him playing a double life. While this doesn't have the composition and style that some of David Cronenberg's earlier work does, it gets the job done fine.
  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    July 28, 2010
    bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    a really amazing, thrilling movie. sn instant classic. i loved it. A-
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    July 15, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Considering I'm a big David Cronenberg fan, I was surprised that this film was pretty bad. This is the second Cronenberg film that I hated, the first being 1996's Crash. The story had potential, but after a while the film gets tiring and not that interesting. The cast is good, bu... read moret the film just doesn't work for me. I give this one star for Viggo Mortissen and William Hurt's performances.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 1, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Viggo :)
  • SirPant
    September 23, 2009
    SirPant
    Am I missing something here? This is one of the most overrated films ever! William Hurt is crap in this!!! Why does everyone praise him so much, why was he nominated for an Oscar? Did I see the same film? This is not the Cronenburg I love! This is a very average film made worse b... read morey the talent that created it.

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Critic Reviews

Ken Tucker
May 12, 2006
Ken Tucker, New York Magazine

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

Steve Murray
October 2, 2005
Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A model of clean, lean storytelling. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
October 1, 2005
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Cronenberg isn't engaging in parody or irony. Nor is he nihilistically pandering to our worst impulses: the filmmaking is too measured and too intelligent. He implicitly respects us and our responses,... Full Review

Roger Moore
September 30, 2005
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

David Cronenberg's adaptation of the underwritten graphic novel of the same name is a spare, mean movie of shocking violence and wrenching moral dilemmas. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
September 30, 2005
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

It has the reticence of a good Western, the shock of black comedy and the naked emotion of fine drama.

Lisa Kennedy
September 30, 2005
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

[A] vigorously sublime take on guilt and innocence, the damned and the redeemed. Full Review

Jeff Strickler
September 29, 2005
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

The first half of the story -- the one shrouded in doubt -- is much more effective than the second half, which is shrouded in bloodletting. Full Review

Bill Muller
September 29, 2005
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

It's rare to find a filmmaker who can deliver such a message and keep us riveted every minute of screen time. But Cronenberg manages it, making A History of Violence one of his best, and most realisti... Full Review

Bruce Newman
September 29, 2005
Bruce Newman, San Jose Mercury News

In A History of Violence, director David Cronenberg's delirious wow of a movie about violence and sex and the American dream, cinema regains all its original power to shock and surprise.

Andrew Sarris
September 28, 2005
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

Mr. Cronenberg has imbued his narrative with a style of personal conviction that is found in only the greatest auteurs. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Richie Cusack: How do you fuck that up? How do you FUCK THAT UP?!
    • 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?
    • Carl Fogarty: Still crazy fucking Joey.
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A History of Violence Trivia

  • Tagline: Tom Stall had the perfect life... until he became a hero.  Answer »
  • Both Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello actually did get hurt on the stair scene, in "A History of Violence".  Answer »
  • Which of these movies ISN'T based on a book by Stephen King???  Answer »
  • In which movie would you find Viggo Mortensen & Maria Bello having angry sex on a staircase?  Answer »
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