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Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Susan Sarandon, Keith Carradine, Bill Pullman ... see more see more... , Josh Lucas , Graham Beckel

A Nebraska bank clerk finds his tenuous grip on reality slipping after a freak train accident reveals his deepest secret to the entire community. John Skillpa (Cillian Murphy) is a reserved bank telle... read more read more...r living in the tight-knit community of Peacock. He may live by himself, but he's never alone; John has two personalities. His alter ego is Emma, but Emma has always been a well-kept secret -- until now. When a passing caboose jumps the rails and comes slamming through John's backyard, the neighbors all race to his aid and are surprised to find Emma wandering about dazed and confused. Instinctively assuming Emma to be John's wife, they rally around the Skillpas in support. But the harder they try to get closer to Emma, the deeper John slips into psychosis. The key to his mystery-shrouded past resting in the hands of young, overburdened mother Maggie (Ellen Page), John finds his two personalities clashing as his fragile deception becomes ever more difficult to maintain. Susan Sarandon, Keith Carradine, Bill Pullman, and Josh Lucas co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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2,238 ratings

PG-13, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: Michael Lander

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DVD Release Date: April 20, 2010

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peacock Peacock Cillian on PEACOCK set in Iowa! - MY IDOL NEWS - LIlianetty Peacock Ellen Page Peacock - Cillian Murphy's New Movie - Alex aka Lilianetty Cillian Murphy as Emma Ellen Page Ellen Page Peacock - Cillian Murphy's New Movie - Alex aka Lilianetty
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Flixster Reviews (365)

  • CrookedlittleB33
    April 15, 2011
    CrookedlittleB33
    Review TBC, although this has been one of the most infuriating endings I've ever had to endure.
  • cosmo313
    April 2, 2011
    cosmo313
    It's a shame that this film was a direct-to-DVD relase, becaue, it really deserves a lot more recognition. This small, quiet indie psychological drama/thriller tells the story of a quiet man who prefers to keep to himself. When a train derailment happens in his backyard, his worl... read mored is forever changed once some deep secrets start to reveal themselves to the public.

    The performances, writing, art/direction. set design, and camera work are all fantastic. Not a whole lot really happens in this film, yet there is a pervasive mood of dread, uneasiness and tension throughout. This is a rather creepy film, made all the more potent by the fact that everything about the main character seems (key word) to be so plain and unremarkable.

    Cillian Murphy has a challenging job, and he pulls it off well. It is a really remarkable, haunting performance. Ellen Page (complete with a fun little accent) is also quite good in a nicely nuanced and underplayed role as a troubled young mother who can shed some light into the life of Murphy's John. The rest of the cast, including veterans Susan Sarandon, Keith Carradine, as well as Bill Pullman and Josh Lucas, are also terrific.

    The less you really know about this film, the better (probably). Part of the joy of watching it, and getting the full impact, is letting the plot unfold without really knowing what to expect, or knowing what happens before it does. Again, give this one a chance. It really deserves it.
  • itsjustme2004
    April 2, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    I enjoyed this film for what it was. It had a very Hitchcock vibe, and Cillian Murphy did a great job. The movie built some suspense very well, and certainly had a creepy vibe throughout. However, it is one of those films that you wished went a different direction with its story.... read more Granted, the toil between the two personalities (Emma & John) in one person was intriguing, but I couldn't help but feel like it would have been considerably better if it had a little more "meat" to it. The acting, and intriguing character study, saved what's other-wise a mediocre film.
  • ythelastman89
    August 9, 2010
    ythelastman89
    Cillian Murphy second tranny movie, this time he's even more convincing as a woman. The movie itself is very interesting, having a lot to do with what happened before the start of the story put on screen. It's kind've like Psycho without any killing, which I really liked. Instead... read more of becoming a psychopath as Emma, John is more sane and well adjusted. While it doesn't exactly win you over 100%, this is just so interesting that you can't stop watching.
  • neverteaseaweasel
    June 23, 2010
    neverteaseaweasel
    So, I hadn't actually realized that Peacock was set in Nebraska, not Iowa, until looking at the little description thing right now. It explains the whole strangness of the story anyway. Lets just say that John's story would not cause all that alarm or concern in Iowa. Apparently ... read morethings are different in Nebraska. I'm also surprsised that this went straight to dvd. Not only is the film rather good, but the cast is fantastic. Cillian Murphy just completely clicks with the role. He could hold up the film without the aid of the likes of Ellen Page, Josh Lucas, and Susan Sarandon. The actual film is fasinating, but really kind of busy. There is just too much going on. The film never really seems to have much direction or much of a plot. Still, it is certainly a achievement in my opinion, even if it does falll on a bit of a flat note.
  • RCCLBC
    May 13, 2010
    RCCLBC
    Because of the fact that the story unwinds very slowly and it is (generally speaking) a very quiet and methodical film, I'm afraid it won't appeal to a lot of people. Which is probably why it was denied a wide release, to spite it's AMAZING cast.

    But I think that if you are ... read moreone of my "Flixster Friends" you will most probably enjoy it.

    To spite it's rather bizarre premsie, it is that AMAZING cast that makes it all feel completely feasible and ordinary (for the most part).

    Cillian Murphy is nothing short of amazing and Ellen Page proves that she is capable of so much more then "angst ridden sassy ubertween". As for Ms. Sarandon...I think I'd enjoy watching her read from the telephone book. : P
  • fb1144932598
    April 20, 2011
    fb1144932598
    This low-budget indie thriller put this viewer in mind of the classic Hitchcock film, Pyscho. Cillian Murphy was superb as the troubled young man, John Silka, and his alter-ego, Emma. When a train derails in John's back yard, his life spins off the tracks as well, and suddenly th... read moreis shy, unassuming iconoclast finds his safe refuge invaded by all kinds of well-meaning neighbors. The supporting cast is excellent, especially Ellen Page (Maggie) and Susan Sarandon (Fanny Crill), but without Cillian Murphy, this could have been nothing more than a parody of true psychological horror. But his performance made a believer out of this viewer. His demeanor completely changed as he slipped from one character to another. The sets added to the atmosphere, the scenery, although shot in Iowa, evoked the Nebraska plains and captured the insular nature of small-town life in the mid-sixties. The extras reveal an alternate ending with a much darker feel than the one that was used, and the "Making of..." segment gave some good background to the intent of the filmmakers. Well worth a watch.
  • gator681
    April 8, 2011
    gator681
    As Emma, John Skillpa(Cillian Murphy, who is superb in a dual role) makes breakfast. He then changes out of his dress and puts on his suit to ride his bike to his job at the bank owned by Mayor Ray Crill(Keith Carradine) and is kept busy by his supervisor, Edmund French(Bill Pul... read morelman). And this is pretty much everyday for him in 1950's Nebraska until a train derails when Emma is hanging laundry in the backyard, causing everyone to assume that she is his wife although nobody had seen her before. Now, John has to deal with more commotion than he could have imagined, starting with Connor Black(Graham Beckel) and Fanny Crill(Susan Sarandon) inquiring if they can hold a politcal rally on his property. Then, Maggie(Ellen Page) shows up.

    As a satisfying end to Josh Lucas Week, "Peacock" is an oddly beguiling movie with a fine respect for the period and performances to match. Originally, I thought John was merely transgendered which would be unusual enough for the time and place but as time wore on, I came to realize John and Emma were disassociative personalities with each almost exisiting in their own worlds, sharing a dark secret betweem them.(I'm currently reading "The City and The City" by China Mieville, by the way.) Contrary to popular thought, they are more like mother and child than husband and wife. Emma takes care of John who has a routine of buying baseball cards and Clark Bars on the way home from work. In fact, I'd like to go one step further and say that while he can barely function in the real world, John is also something of a savant, making him very good at his job.
  • xas5
    December 11, 2011
    xas5
    Peacock is a modern day Hitchcock's Psycho.

    http://proofinpicture.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/peacock/
  • trisarahtops22
    October 15, 2011
    trisarahtops22
    Really interesting. The human mind is scary and amazing....

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Critic Reviews

Christian Toto
May 6, 2010
Christian Toto, Washington Times

While the film can't measure up to its psychologically bent scenario, it's still an intriguing choice at the local DVD store or on-demand service. Full Review

Philip Martin
April 24, 2010
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

A surprisingly effective (given its miniscule theatrical release) sub-Hitchcock thriller with an excellent cast, Full Review

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