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Knowing

Play trailer Poster for Knowing PG-13 2009 1h 55m Sci-Fi Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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35% Tomatometer 179 Reviews 42% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Fifty years after it was buried in a time capsule, a schoolgirl's cryptic document falls into the hands of Caleb Koestler, the son of professor John Koestler (Nicolas Cage). John figures out that the encoded message accurately lists every major disaster from the past five decades, and predicts three future calamities -- one a global cataclysm. When his warnings fall on deaf ears, John enlists the help of the prophetic author's daughter and granddaughter to try to avert the ultimate disaster.
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Knowing

Knowing

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Critics Consensus

Knowing has some interesting ideas and a couple good scenes, but it's weighted down by its absurd plot and over-seriousness.

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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Sep 12, 2017
F
... I was dozing off... Go to Full Review Jordan Hoffman UGO Aug 14, 2009
B
Knowing feels like a bunch of cool ideas that were strewn about a table, picked up, shoved together, tied up with duct tape and, somehow, managed to stay working for the ride. Go to Full Review Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald Apr 3, 2009
2/5
Rather like watching an intricately arranged set of dominos starting to topple. That's neat. I didn't see that one coming, you think, as yet another train carriage joins the pile-up. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Dec 2, 2023
3.5/4
The result should not be dismissed as an average thriller, and yet, seen in those terms, it still succeeds because Proyas is a superior director, and after several missteps, he has finally redeemed himself with another fine piece of science fiction. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Nov 29, 2020
6/10
The plot is hinged around a predicament so overwhelming that its conclusion can't possibly resolve satisfactorily. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 13, 2020
2.5/4.0
Nicolas Cage being Nicolas Cage in a film that requires Cage to be Cage. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Taylor M @RT65451471 Sep 19, 2026 Thrilling and a bit riveting but still lacking a little bit. just kind of felt like some parts were a bit cheesy! See more Soufiane N @RT07259457 Aug 2, 2026 What a weird ending , alliens? Seriously? See more Par H @Parhwy Aug 1, 2026 My Rating: 42.41 Out of 71.20 (If You Know, You Knowing) = = = = = Knowing (2009) is a 121-minute-long US apocalypse/drama I own via my Samsung account which I saw in July 2026. This is the second film I have seen this week which stars Rose Byrne (Insidious). I like the ethos of this film: I am inclined to enjoy apocalyptic films, it aligns with a part of my world view. Koestlers lonely alcoholism combined with his compulsion and knowledge resonates with me. The 1959 teacher actor and 2009 teacher actor are well cast for looks, posture and demeanour. Interesting touchpoint: the scene where the plane crashes, that piece of highway is about 500 metres from where I grew up in Geelong, Australia. Rewatch? Yes. Recommend? Yes. 6/10. See more Shinichi O @RT25695024 Jul 25, 2026 It's not bad as many say. I quite enjoyed it. See more David P @RT44835070 Jun 5, 2026 A secret gem that Nic Cage pulls off. I have watched it once and thought it over, what would you do if loss is inevitable. The movie is a crafty twist of the paranormal meets end of times story. I have since watched it over 10 times and enjoy the story, "knowing" the end. 3/5 KAPT’N’DAVE See more Evan B @TREVOR47 Mar 31, 2026 Seriously, people hate this. People never give films time or appreciate the little things. People just want slasher and kiss scenes all the time. Me personally think its one of the best films ever. The mystery at the start to the problem solving then to the survival at the end. And the representation of human beings in this film is spot on. See more Read all reviews
Knowing

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Cast & Crew

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Alex Proyas

Director

Nicolas Cage

John

Rose Byrne

Diana

Chandler Canterbury

Caleb

Lara Robinson

Abby

Ben Mendelsohn

Phil

Movie Clips

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Knowing

Knowing: Official Clip - A New Beginning Knowing: Official Clip - A New Beginning 3:16 Now Playing Knowing: Official Clip - Solar Flare Knowing: Official Clip - Solar Flare 2:00 Now Playing Knowing: Official Clip - The Whisper People Knowing: Official Clip - The Whisper People 2:03 Now Playing Knowing: Official Clip - Kidnapping Knowing: Official Clip - Kidnapping 2:15 Now Playing Knowing: Official Clip - I Need to Know Knowing: Official Clip - I Need to Know 2:15 Now Playing Knowing: Official Clip - Aerial Cataclysm Knowing: Official Clip - Aerial Cataclysm 2:24 Now Playing Knowing: Official Clip - The Stranger Knowing: Official Clip - The Stranger 2:29 Now Playing Knowing: Official Clip - Subway Hell Knowing: Official Clip - Subway Hell 2:41 Now Playing Knowing: Official Clip - Disaster Codes Knowing: Official Clip - Disaster Codes 2:26 Now Playing Knowing: Official Clip - At Earth's End Knowing: Official Clip - At Earth's End 2:01 Now Playing View more videos

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Knowing

Rose Byrne as Diana and Nicolas Cage as John in "Knowing." Nicolas Cage as John in "Knowing." Nicolas Cage as John and Chandler Canterbury as Caleb in "Knowing." Nicolas Cage as John in "Knowing." Chandler Canterbury as Caleb in "Knowing." Lara Robinson as Abby in "Knowing." Chandler Canterbury as Caleb and Lara Robinson as Abby in "Knowing." A scene from "Knowing." (Far right) Nicolas Cage as John in "Knowing." Rose Byrne as Diana and Nicolas Cage as John in "Knowing." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Fifty years after it was buried in a time capsule, a schoolgirl's cryptic document falls into the hands of Caleb Koestler, the son of professor John Koestler (Nicolas Cage). John figures out that the encoded message accurately lists every major disaster from the past five decades, and predicts three future calamities -- one a global cataclysm. When his warnings fall on deaf ears, John enlists the help of the prophetic author's daughter and granddaughter to try to avert the ultimate disaster.
Director
Alex Proyas
Producer
Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch
Screenwriter
Alex Proyas, Stuart Hazeldine, Ryne Douglas Pearson, Juliet Snowden, Stiles White
Distributor
Summit Entertainment
Production Co
Escape Artists, Summit Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Disaster Sequences|Brief Strong Language|Disturbing Images)
Genre
Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 20, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 31, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$79.9M
Runtime
1h 55m
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