IMDb > The Box (2009/I)
The Box
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The Box (2009/I) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 47 | slideshow) Videos (see all 8)
The Box (2009) -- A young couple is gifted with a mysterious box that promises them a handsome windfall with deadly consequences.
The Box (2009) -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.2/10   5,768 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 83% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Richard Kelly (screenplay)
Richard Matheson (short story "Button, Button")
Contact:
View company contact information for The Box on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
6 November 2009 (USA) more
Tagline:
You Are The Experiment more
Plot:
A small wooden box arrives on the doorstep of a married couple, who know that opening it will grant them a million dollars and kill someone they don't know. full summary | full synopsis
User Comments:
"To understand 'The Box,' you'll have to think outside of the box." more (104 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Cameron Diaz ... Norma Lewis

James Marsden ... Arthur Lewis

Frank Langella ... Arlington Steward
James Rebhorn ... Norm Cahill
Holmes Osborne ... Dick Burns
Sam Oz Stone ... Walter Lewis

Gillian Jacobs ... Dana
Celia Weston ... Lana Burns

Deborah Rush ... Clymene Steward

Lisa K. Wyatt ... Rhonda Martin
Mark S. Cartier ... Martin Teague (as Mark Cartier)
Kevin Robertson ... Wendel Matheson
Michele Durrett ... Rebecca Matheson (as Michele Durett)

Ian Kahn ... Vick Brenner
John Magaro ... Charles
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence and disturbing images.
Runtime:
115 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:PG-13 (certificate #44919) | Finland:K-13 | UK:12A | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Australia:M | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:12 | Singapore:PG

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The number "13" is referenced at least four times. The first time is at the beginning of the movie, with the shot of the Lewis' bedroom clock, which shows 5:44 a.m., the digits of which amount to "13". The second reference is Mr. Steward's car, the license plate number of which is "XH34-568". The letters "X" and "H" are the 24th and 8th numbers of the alphabet, respectively. Twenty-four plus eight equals 32. Thirty-two plus the other numbers on the license plate (3, 4, 5, 6, and 8) totals 58; 5 plus 8 totals to "13". The third reference is the time of death of the woman who was shot in the chest, whose husband works at Langley, or at least the time the "neighbor's heard the shot," which is 4:45 p.m.( 4+4=8, 8+5=13). Finally, the fourth reference is the Lewis' home address, the numbers of which are "7321"; 7 plus 3 plus 1 plus 2 totals "13". more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: When footage is shown of the Langley Research Center we can see a fuselage of an A-320, an aircraft not built until 1989. more
Quotes:
Dana: Somebody pushing your buttons? more
Movie Connections:
References Casablanca (1942) more
Soundtrack:
Deck the Halls more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
Is "The Box" based on a book?
more
36 out of 58 people found the following comment useful.
"To understand 'The Box,' you'll have to think outside of the box.", 15 November 2009
7/10
Author: NewKlear_Phil from United States

I'm not gonna lie. To say that this movie is confusing is like saying the sun is hot but not really. And if you've seen cult director Richard Kelly's previous films, "Donnie Darko" and "Southland Tales," you know that's gotta mean something. When I went to see this movie, there were about 50 people in the theater. Before an hour into the film, about half of the audience had already walked out. By the end, there were only 15 people left wondering what in the hell did they just see. I for one could only comprehend roughly 40% of what I saw on- screen, and even then it can only be called interpretation. So why did I give this movie a generous seven stars? Because for one, we get some spectacular performances (Marsden's great and Langella returns as a familiar creepy character), and most importantly two, because it's entirely original and Richard Kelly, undoubtedly one of the bravest directors alive, uses his creative vision to tell a story that dares to be different. Quite frankly, it's the ONLY way - only through Kelly's unique style could this story be told the way it's intended.

In the end, if you're not willing to spend some serious thought into an intelligent movie (and even then it may all amount to nothing), stay FAR away from this one. But if you want to watch a deep, rich, complex and thought-provoking piece on spirituality, existentialism, and the predictability of human nature, go see this. Be prepared for lengthy discussions with your partner however.

*Note: If by chance you've read this review, taken my recommendation, have actually seen the movie and STILL believe you've wasted 2 hours of your life, I'd be happy to share my views on the whole meaning and plot of the film. See, that's why I liked it so much - it promotes discussion! As hard as it is though, I'll try summing it up by paraphrasing a rather depressing quote by Langella's character, who explains the significance of the simple box to an employee: "Your house is a box which you live in. The car that you drove to work is a box, on wheels. When you return home from work you sit in front of a box with moving images. You watch until the mind and soul rots and the box that is your body deteriorates, when finally you are placed into the ultimate box... to rest under the soil and earth."

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more (104 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Box (2009/I)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
This Film is BRILLIANT , truly Brilliant, here are some reasons why almostwin4
donnie darko skeleton / gateway illustration lickstab
The ending is the most important test, not the begining. imsams1
Swimming pool scene? What happened when the mother was adducted? dancewith_gogo
What happens in the end? (asking for spoilers) Captainnn
Can someone explain this to me? kerrithesinger
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