The Box | Rotten Tomatoes

The Box

PG-13

Released Nov 6, 2009

1h 53m

Horror

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

List

43%

155 Reviews

Tomatometer

24%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A suburban couple, Norma (Cameron Diaz) and Arthur (James Marsden), face a moral dilemma when they receive a gift that bears irrevocable consequences. With the press of a button, their simple wooden box will bestow $1 million; however, a stranger somewhere else will die, at the same time. The box will be theirs for only 24 hours, and as time ticks away, Norma and Arthur confront the depth of their humanity as they consider their choices.

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Critics Consensus

Imaginative but often preposterous, The Box features some thrills but largely feels too piecemeal.

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Leslee W

The moral dilemma presented by The Box is a compelling plot catalyst. But the story takes some weird side trails and loses focus. It's a shame. Frank Langella steals the show.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/24

Full Review

James F

This was a great concept film that fell flat at the end because it explained almost nothing. I have no problem with movies that have a vague or unexplained ending but The Box left so many unanswered questions that it made the movie not worth watching. It set-up mystery after mystery then just…… ended. Donnie Darko was a perfect example of not filling in all the blanks but leaving the viewer satisfied with what was revealed. This movie is an example of what not to do. Also, what was the point of it being set in the 70's? Too many things just didn't make any sense.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

Jelisije J

I appreciate this movie now that I am older and while this movie does provide answers it takes way too long to develop and tries a little to hard to confuse the audience with two different storylines or explanations to the events that are happening in the film.....

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/08/24

Full Review

WA S

I don't know what this mess of a movie was trying to achieve, but the original short story — I'm assuming that is what this so-called movie is based on — is called Button, Button by Richard Matheson. I would recommend skipping this and reading the story. It's short and to the point, if you'll pardon the cliche. Everything after they received the initial box is just tacked on frivolous nonsense to pad the run time. The story had nothing to do with some government conspiracy or whatever this was. I wish Hollywood would stop making trash out of great stories and books.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/31/23

Full Review

Brian T

I really wanted to like this movie :( It's not great. BUT - it is different. A lot of original ideas. Unfortunately the scope keeps expanding and it grows increasingly confused and bizarre by the end. Again, at least interesting though.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

Full Review

Huid H

Rather boring.. Maybe the second half gets interesting if you can make it.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/08/23

Full Review

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Richard Kelly

Director

Cameron Diaz

Norma Lewis

James Marsden

Arthur Lewis

Frank Langella

Arlington Steward

James Rebhorn

Norm Cahill

Holmes Osborne

Dick Burns

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: C

Feb 18, 2012

Full Review

Wesley Morris

Boston Globe

Rated: 3/4

Nov 24, 2011

Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Richard Kelly’s The Box spins a suspenseful yarn that’s enigmatic as it is entertaining.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 30, 2023

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

this lush, intelligent, frustrating film is probably better for keeping the precise nature of its mystery intact; thats what makes The Boxs central metaphor sing

Rated: 4/5

Mar 31, 2022

Full Review

Jason Adams

My New Plaid Pants

The Box lacks the conviction of any convictions at all.

Jul 2, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

A suburban couple, Norma (Cameron Diaz) and Arthur (James Marsden), face a moral dilemma when they receive a gift that bears irrevocable consequences. With the press of a button, their simple wooden box will bestow $1 million; however, a stranger somewhere else will die, at the same time. The box will be theirs for only 24 hours, and as time ticks away, Norma and Arthur confront the depth of their humanity as they consider their choices.

Director: Richard Kelly
Producer: Sue Baden-Powell, Terry Dougas, Ted Field, Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis, Edward H. Hamm Jr.
Screenwriter: Richard Kelly
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Darko Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Disturbing Images|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 6, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $15.0M
Runtime: 1h 53m

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