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, Danny Pang

Writers:

Mark Wheaton (screenplay), Todd Farmer (story)

Stars:

Kristen Stewart, Dylan McDermott, Penelope Ann Miller

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 | murder | ghost | 

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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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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, disturbing violence and terror

Details

Official Sites:

Metropolitan Films [fr] Sony Pictures [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 February 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Untitled Pang Brothers Horror Project

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:

Black and White (flashback scenes) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Scout Taylor-Compton auditioned for the role of Jess.

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Goofs

Sunflowers are harvested after they have gone dry and hang heads down, like mentioned. However, they are harvested with regular combines that are used to harvest wheat, rye, or corn, and not a windrower that is used for putting up hay.

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Quotes

Burwell: You've been a bad girl, haven't you Lindsay?

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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

References Dark Water (2002)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Not great, but not too bad

There is evidence to suggest that children... would really rather watch something else.

As suspense/horror movies go, this one isn't amazing. Its hardly original; more like Hitchcock's The Birds meets Verbinski's The Ring. Honestly. Its a perfect combination of the two.

Personally I'd recommend watching the afore mentioned separately, each being better alone than this film. Really, the only thing it seems to have in abundance OTHER than unoriginality, is cheap pop-out scares. I mean, yeah, its kinda fun the first time or two... but after about half a dozen, you start to wonder if there is anything else to be had.

The acting wasn't entirely horrible, I'll admit to that much. The Turner kids who played Ben are certainly entertaining to watch, giving a cute contrast to the grungy atmosphere of the movie. Cancer Man... wait... no, sorry, William Davis could have done better in my opinion, as could Miller... but considering the type of movie this is, one doesn't have a lot of room to nitpick.

As a quick side note, I DO commend this movie for not being gratuitously gory. Its rare to find modern movies in this genre that don't blatantly use blood and guts to invoke fear.

All in all, this movie isn't the worst of its kinda, but it is in no way the best. If you want cheap, minimal-gore thrills that will make you jump, go see it. If you're looking for a deeper, more thought-provoking thriller... I strongly recommend looking elsewhere.