The Messengers (2007)

An ominous darkness invades a seemingly serene sunflower farm in North Dakota, and the Solomon family is torn apart by suspicion, mayhem and murder.

Directors:

Oxide Pang Chun (as Oxide Pang) , Danny Pang

Writers:

Mark Wheaton (screenplay), Todd Farmer (story)

Stars:

Dylan McDermott, Penelope Ann Miller, Kristen Stewart

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kristen Stewart	...	Jess
Dylan McDermott	...	Roy
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Denise
John Corbett	...	Burwell
Evan Turner	...	Ben
Theodore Turner	...	Ben
William B. Davis	...	Colby Price
Brent Briscoe	...	Plume
Dustin Milligan	...	Bobby
Jodelle Ferland	...	Michael Rollins
Michael Daingerfield	...	Police Officer
Tatiana Maslany	...	Lindsay Rollins
Shirley McQueen	...	Mary Rollins
Anna Hagan	...	Doctor
Blaine Hart	...	Charlie

Storyline

It's been six years since the Rollins family just up and left and now the troubled Solomon family has come from Chicago, to rebuild their lives following their sons hospitalization due to their daughter's drunk driving accident. But as they start to settle in something odd and strange begins to occur to their son. Could something supernatural be at work, and did the previous family just leave...or are they still here? Trapped in the only place they've ever known? And what did cause their deaths? Most of all...is this 'killer' still very much alive?

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Plot Keywords:

sunflower | farm | north dakota | killer | murder | 

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Taglines:

There is evidence to suggest that children are highly susceptible to paranormal phenomena. They see what adults cannot. They believe what adults deny. And they are trying to warn us.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

14A

Details

Official Sites:

Metropolitan Films [France] Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 February 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les messagers

Filming Locations:

Canada Saskatchewan Production Studios, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£262,562 (UK) (6 April 2007)

Gross:

£704,195 (UK) (13 April 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Gems, Ghost House Pictures, Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color Black and White (flashback scenes)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Scout Taylor-Compton auditioned for the role of Jess.

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Goofs

The teddy bear on Jess' bed changes positions between shots.

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Quotes

Bobby: The girls' team here is for shit.
[he tries to throw the basketball in the hoop and misses]
Jess: Yeah, so's the boys' if you're on it.

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Crazy Credits

The opening title sequence suddenly drains of color, to become monochrome (black and white).

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Connections

Referenced in HypaSpace: Episode #6.23 (2007)

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Soundtracks

All My Dreams Are Coming True
Written and Performed by Ron Keel (ASCAP)
Courtesy Marc Ferrari/MasterSource

User Reviews

Generic Horror/Thriller

I won't lie to you, I enjoyed this movie. Yes, it was rather generic. Yes, it borrowed some plot points from other movies. And yes, there were way too many crows. Yet despite all the negative I continued to hear about it, I went and saw it anyways, and I'm glad I did.

Many plot points, such as a haunted house in the middle of nowhere, parents not listening to their kids, and ghosts out for revenge are ideas that Hollywood has used and recycled more times than a person can count. However, The Messengers manages to put these together into one movie, without going for too much at once. Certain scenes were rather predictable, so I won't claim that the movie really innovates on any of the standard horror elements, but there are plenty of moments that had me jump in my seat, and had the female members of the audience squealing and clutching their boyfriends.

Overall I felt at the end of the movie that, while not amazing, it was worthy of my time and money to see with a couple friends on a lazy afternoon.