A History of Violence

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2:31

A History of Violence

R

2005

1h 35m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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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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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Huntin P

@PaxVobiscum80 6 days ago

I didn't much care for Viggo as Aragorn, but I warmed to him as an actor subsequently, mainly on account of his collaborations with Cronenberg. This, the first, is also the weaker of the two. I think the source material was a graphic novel (you can look up the details), but awkwardly Cronenberg has stripped too much away, so a major flaw is evident. I won't spoil it, but it has to do with motivation in the backstory. But leaving that gaping hole to one side, this is an entertaining and grim tale of a have-a-go hero who becomes an overnight celebrity, leading to some very unwelcome company. A man must defend his home, especially in a country where everyone is packing heat. The final act is rather too far-fetched. Still, great performance from your man V.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 25, 2026

A History of Violence = a *4* star Movie!

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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

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Jamie W

@winenanator Aug 22, 2026

Good movie …. It’s worth a watch… but it’s missing something… more Violence

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William O

@boverton Aug 19, 2026

Good, could have been great

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Vance N

@RT83528149 Aug 6, 2026

watch this along with eastern promises. you’ll change your negative views. viggios movie choices are spot on

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David Cronenberg

Director

Viggo Mortensen

Tom Stall

Maria Bello

Edie Stall

William Hurt

Richie Cusack

Ashton Holmes

Jack Stall

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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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