IMDb > The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
The Mothman Prophecies
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Mothman Prophecies (2002) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 29 | slideshow) Videos (see all 6)
The Mothman Prophecies (2002) -- John Klein (Gere), a Washington newspaper reporter leaves his job after his wife (Messing) dies to investigate strange reports, including psychic visions ("Prophecies").
The Mothman Prophecies (2002) -- A reporter is drawn to a small West Virginia town to investigate a series of strange events, including psychic visions and the appearance of bizarre entities.
The Mothman Prophecies (2002) -- A reporter is drawn to a small West Virginia town to investigate a series of strange events, including psychic visions and the appearance of bizarre entities.

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
6.5/10   24,932 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 31% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
John A. Keel (novel)
Richard Hatem (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Mothman Prophecies on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 January 2002 (USA) more
Tagline:
What do you see? more
Plot:
A reporter is drawn to a small West Virginia town to investigate a series of strange events, including psychic visions and the appearance of bizarre entities. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win more
NewsDesk:
(24 articles)
Firefly Star Encounters Mothman on Syfy
 (From Dread Central. 10 November 2009, 1:49 AM, PST)

Wrestler horror River Of Darkness wraps; exclusive first photos
 (From Fangoria. 26 October 2009, 1:54 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Bad things just happen. We usually can't stop them. more (411 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Richard Gere ... John Klein

David Eigenberg ... Ed Fleischman
Bob Tracey ... Cyrus Bills
Ron Emanuel ... Washington Post Reporter

Debra Messing ... Mary Klein

Tom Stoviak ... Brian
Yvonne Erickson ... Dr. McElroy
Scott Nunnally ... Orderly
Harris Mackenzie ... TV Journalist
Will Patton ... Gordon Smallwood
Lucinda Jenney ... Denise Smallwood

Laura Linney ... Connie Mills

Tom Tully ... Motel Manager
Zachary Mott ... Otto (as Billy Mott)
Ann McDonough ... Lucy Griffin
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Mothman (USA) (working title)
The Mothman (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for terror, some sexuality and language.
Runtime:
119 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The clock radio in John Klein's motel room reads: 6:14. It's a biblical reference to John Chapter 6 verse 14, which reads, 'This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.' more
Goofs:
Errors in geography: During the Christmas tree lighting festivities, the door of the fire truck reads "Saxonburg" (a town near Kittanning in Pennsylvania where the scene was filmed) not Point Pleasant (where it is set). more
Quotes:
[first lines]
John Klein: Jesus!
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Jingle Bell Swing more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
38 out of 42 people found the following comment useful.
Bad things just happen. We usually can't stop them., 22 February 2006
8/10
Author: TOMASBBloodhound from Lincoln, NE USA

The Mothman Prophecies is a solid thriller. It's supposedly based on true events, but even if it weren't, it would be worth a look. Richard Gere stars as a Washington Post reporter who inexplicably finds himself in a small West Virginia town where a series of strange goings-on have been happening. His wife was killed two years prior in a mysterious car accident, and there seems to be a connection between her death and the strange happenings in Point Pleasant. Holding the key behind the mystery seems to be a large moth-like creature who tends to show up in places where the loss of human life is about to occur. Gere meets up with several locals who claim to have seen the Mothman, and after a while this creature begins communicating with him. The creature warns people of tragedies about to strike (plane crashes, earthquakes), and Gere thinks this creature can even put him in contact with his dead wife. Gere is given a warning about an upcoming tragedy near Point Pleasant, but can he act in time to stop it? Or should he even try? The film is very moody and sullen. The direction and photography are top drawer, and they enhance the mood greatly. The acting is terrific, as well. I usually can't stand Gere, but he's great in this film. Laura Linney would seem miscast as a local cop, but by the end of the film, she will have proved how truly talented she is. Will Patton is outstanding as a local resident who has several run-ins with the Mothman until it drives him crazy.

What exactly is the Mothman? According to this film, he's some type of oracle. He can see bad things that will happen, and he can even see through to the other side. Does he cause these tragedies? The film would seem to argue not. Though he may have caused the fatal car accident that took Gere's wife early on. Apparently the concept of the Mothman has been around for a while, but this film gives a pretty good explanation of it for those of us who had never heard of it before.

The film came up short of its $40 million budget in theaters. I blame this on a terrible marketing campaign, and some bad reviews from the big name critics. Don't let their reviews scare you away. This film is very good. I was hooked after seeing only a couple minutes of it. It was the very effective scene where Gere and Patton first meet up at his home one evening. That was well done! Be warned, however. The film will likely leave you feeling very mortal, and maybe even depressed. There is a really cool new-age rock song during the credits that also adds to the mood.

Consider this film a thinking man's Final Destination. The climactic scene at the end could have even wandered in from one of those movies. The Mothman Prophecies is worth about 8 of 10 stars.

The Hound.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (411 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Are Mothman sightings limited to Point Pleasant... tmazolla80
Indrid Cold in this movie.. alongtheway82
mothman in mirror? Tyler666
Wake up #37 marcusmitchell
The board for this movie is the most accepting one on IMDB edlaham
Am I the only one ?? virginMEGAwhore
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Donnie Darko The Mist Psycho The Night of the Hunter Dead Silence
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.