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A History of Violence

Play trailer 2:31 Poster for A History of Violence R 2005 1h 35m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 222 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
When a pair of petty criminals attempt to rob his small-town diner, Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) quickly and easily kills them both. In the flush of news coverage of Tom's seemingly heroic actions, a threatening stranger named Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) comes to town, fingering the unassuming family man as long-missing Philadelphia mobster Joey Cusack. To the horror of his wife, Edie (Maria Bello), and teenage son, Jack (Ashton Holmes), Tom finds he must confront his violent past.
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A History of Violence

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Critics Consensus

A History of Violence raises compelling and thoughtful questions about the nature of violence, while representing a return to form for director David Cronenberg in one of his more uncharacteristic pieces.

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Critics Reviews

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Christy Lemire Associated Press Apr 15, 2013
The less you know about this movie before seeing it -- and you really should see it -- the better. Go to Full Review David Denby The New Yorker Apr 15, 2013
Cronenberg's direction, mirroring the split in Tom, is alternately measured and frighteningly explosive, and, as always, he gives the movie a nasty underlay of sexual perversity. Go to Full Review Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal Apr 15, 2013
This peculiarly predictable picture has been calculated, or miscalculated, to set up certain expectations, fulfill them, and then do the same thing again, thereby giving us a chance to see what's coming and, at least in theory, be shocked. Go to Full Review Douglas Davidson Elements of Madness Oct 21, 2025
Smoothly-paced, profoundly quiet, and possessing bursts of disquieting violence, "A History of Violence" is as affecting now as it was in its original 2005 release, perhaps more-so in the current landscape of cinematic entertainment. Go to Full Review Jeff Beck The Blu Spot Oct 20, 2025
4.5/5
A History of Violence may not be that complicated a tale, but with a marvelous, Oscar-nominated screenplay by Josh Olson and an incredible ensemble, it becomes a riveting experience that utilizes its story elements to deliver a compelling narrative. Go to Full Review Joshua Ryan FandomWire Oct 10, 2025
9/10
It’s darkly comedic, brutally violent, and strangely orchestrated in the way that only Cronenberg can manage. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Craig W @CJWolfe27 Sep 3, 2026 This is an extremely good movie… if you haven’t seen it it is definitely worth a watch See more Jamie W @winenanator Aug 22, 2026 Good movie …. It’s worth a watch… but it’s missing something… more Violence See more William O @boverton Aug 19, 2026 Good, could have been great See more Vance N @RT83528149 Aug 6, 2026 watch this along with eastern promises. you’ll change your negative views. viggios movie choices are spot on See more Ian S @RT48225084 Jul 19, 2026 Simple story, well acted by a very good cast. Maybe some of it stretched credulity but there was also a satiric tone to the movie in parts. Not one of my favourite Croneneberg movies but pretty good and the downbeat ending made sense, See more Page P @RT04751771 Jul 17, 2026 Horrible. Completely unrealistic. The main character gets stabbed in the foot from the top with a big huge knife and the next day. He’s walking in the day after that he runs home from work. He wouldn’t be able to put that foot on the ground, much less run or walk on it. See more Read all reviews
A History of Violence

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Cast & Crew

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David Cronenberg

Director

Viggo Mortensen

Tom Stall

Maria Bello

Edie Stall

William Hurt

Richie Cusack

Ashton Holmes

Jack Stall

Stephen McHattie

Leland Jones

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A History of Violence

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Movie Info

Synopsis When a pair of petty criminals attempt to rob his small-town diner, Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) quickly and easily kills them both. In the flush of news coverage of Tom's seemingly heroic actions, a threatening stranger named Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) comes to town, fingering the unassuming family man as long-missing Philadelphia mobster Joey Cusack. To the horror of his wife, Edie (Maria Bello), and teenage son, Jack (Ashton Holmes), Tom finds he must confront his violent past.
Director
David Cronenberg
Producer
J.C. Spink, Chris Bender
Screenwriter
Josh Olson
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Production Co
Benderspink
Rating
R (Language|Graphic Sexuality|Nudity|Some Drug Use|Strong Brutal Violence)
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 30, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 29, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$31.5M
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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