The Road

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The Road

R

2009

1h 50m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

216 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

America is a grim, gray shadow of itself after a catastrophe. A man (Viggo Mortensen) and his young son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) wander through this post-apocalyptic world, trying to keep the dream of civilization alive. They journey toward the sea, surviving as best they can on what they can scavenge, and try to avoid roving gangs of savage humans who will turn them into slaves, or worse.

Critics Consensus

The Road's commitment to Cormac McCarthy's dark vision may prove too unyielding for some, but the film benefits from hauntingly powerful performances from Viggo Mortensen and Kodi McPhee.

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Shadow and Act Staff

Shadow and Act

09/13/2022

I still recommend The Road; just keep in mind that this is Cormac McCarthy's post-apocalyptic tale, not Richard Matheson's.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

08/30/2018

I cannot say how faithful this is but, having read other McCarthy books, would say the novel probably repaid your attention with its astonishing prose. This, though, puts you through the wringer, but doesn't repay you in any way.

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Ed Koch

The Atlantic

01/16/2018

It wasn't fascinating at all. The movie looked like it cost $500 to make, excluding actors' salaries, which were worth another $500.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 28

2/5

Bleak and grim are understatements. It's hard to come away liking a movie with this little innocence or hope.

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Michael Leader

Den of Geek

05/07/2024

3/5

While The Road is not without its impressive aspects, it has not efficiently pulled taut the slack created by the loss of McCarthy’s commanding prose. And so, it is hard to avoid the sense that it needn’t have been made at all.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/30/2023

4/4

Plan to see it twice—once to familiarize yourself with its unconventional, non-commercial method of storytelling, and a second time that allows you to submerge into the material, to appreciate how stunningly composed it is.

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Jamal P

@RT39995825 May 27

incredible film. stunning backgrounds, and just like the book.

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Andr D

@RT63576551 May 25

Great movie about a post-apocalyptic world

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Karthik Y.

@madkarthi May 22

The movie was totally amazing. Very nice production values and great landscapes are there. Amazing work from the director John Hillcoat. I watched his films like The Proposition. I am a biggest fan of that movie because of the authentic feel I felt in the film. It is still the best one for me. This film The Road is my second favorite from his filmography. Viggo acting is best. It is a very nice apocalyptic story. Very emotional film and touching one. I really like this film. That kid acting is also very nice.

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Tawny P

@TawnyP May 6

Not a laugh riot, but then again not everything should be.

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Oaklee D

@ODie63 Apr 28

An emotional and bleak coming of age tale.

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Tyson D.

@Spudsprout Apr 22

(Overall Rating: 4.17/5) (Very Good) --- (Cinematography/Atmosphere: 4.5/5) So bleak, this movie did its best to show you just how desolate the world is. Just wish it would have portrayed the cold better. --- (Storyline/Plot: 3.75/5) The story was more metaphorical in a sense. There are just so many questions the film leaves you with, both during and after the credits roll. --- (Acting: 4.75/5) Phenomenal job by Viggo and Kodi. Minimalistic to a perfection. --- (Character Quality: 4/5) The characters themselves are just trying to survive. The movie does a good job showing the different ways everyone is trying to do doing so. --- (Entertainment Value: 3.75/5) Not an exciting movie by any means, just a slog through a barren wasteland, overcoming different obstacles. --- (Expectations vs. Reality: 4.25/5) I went in blind the first time and thoroughly enjoyed the film. Listened to the book much later and still love both pieces of work.

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John Hillcoat

Director

Viggo Mortensen

The Man

Kodi Smit-McPhee

The Boy

Charlize Theron

Wife

Robert Duvall

Old Man

Guy Pearce

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Synopsis

America is a grim, gray shadow of itself after a catastrophe. A man (Viggo Mortensen) and his young son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) wander through this post-apocalyptic world, trying to keep the dream of civilization alive. They journey toward the sea, surviving as best they can on what they can scavenge, and try to avoid roving gangs of savage humans who will turn them into slaves, or worse.

Director: John Hillcoat
Producer: Paula Mae Schwartz, Steve Schwartz, Nick Wechsler
Screenwriter: Joe Penhall
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Dimension Films, Chockstone Pictures, 2929 Productions
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Images|Some Violence)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.1M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS