The Reaping (2007)

A former Christian missionary, who specializes in debunking religious phenomena, investigates a small town which seems to be suffering from the 10 biblical plagues.

Director:

Stephen Hopkins

Writers:

Carey Hayes (screenplay), Chad Hayes (screenplay),

Stars:

Hilary Swank, David Morrissey, Idris Elba

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hilary Swank	...	Katherine
David Morrissey	...	Doug
Idris Elba	...	Ben
AnnaSophia Robb	...	Loren McConnell
Stephen Rea	...	Father Costigan
William Ragsdale	...	Sheriff Cade
John McConnell	...	Mayor Brooks
David Jensen	...	Jim Wakeman
Yvonne Landry	...	Brynn Wakeman
Samuel Garland	...	William Wakeman
Myles Cleveland	...	Kyle Wakeman
Andrea Frankle	...	Maddie McConnell
Mark Lynch	...	Brody McConnell
Stuart Greer	...	Gordon
Lara Grice	...	Isabelle

Storyline

The death of a child in mysterious circumstances sparks a series of events that seem to represent biblical plagues, which start occurring in, of all places, a town called "Haven" that is located deep in the bowels of Bible belt country in the bayous of Louisiana. A former Christian missionary turned religious phenomena debunker and her top open minded student turned personnel assistant are sent to investigate.

---

Plot Keywords:

biblical plague | plague | missionary | louisiana | small town | 

---

Taglines:

The Tenth Plague: Death Of First Born

---

Genres:

Horror | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, disturbing images and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [de] Warner Bros. [fr]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

5 April 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Prueba de fe

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£310,591 (UK) (20 April 2007)

Gross:

$25,117,498 (USA) (1 June 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros, Dark Castle Entertainment, Chime Productions LLC

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Initially Warner Bros. set the USA release date to August 11, 2006. It was then pushed back to November 8, 2006 and later March 30, 2007, and pushed back yet again just one more week to April 5, 2007.

---

Goofs

Upon first arriving in Haven, Katherine and Ben drive past a large red brick building and then immediately blow right through a stop sign (which has a police car behind it on the cross street).

---

Quotes

Doug Blackwell: Only a server of God could kill his angel. You remember? What you God did to you in Sudan. What about your daughter, huh? Now that...
[chuckles]
Doug Blackwell: that is your God.
[gives Katherine the knife]
Doug Blackwell: Katherine.
Katherine Winter: [she doesn't take the knife] That wasn't God. God didn't kill my family. A weak, Godless man filled with fear and hatred... a man like you. There's still that last plague, Doug. Death of the firstborn. You come from a long line of only children.

---

Crazy Credits

The Village Roadshow Pictures appears in the form of a red mist that blows away on the wind

---

Connections

Referenced in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)

---

Soundtracks

"Body Move"
Written by Winston Forster and Henry "Jungo" Lawes
Performed by Yellowman
Courtesy of Greensleeves Records Ltd.
By Arrangement with Fine Gold Productions LLC

User Reviews

Interesting...

THE REAPING:Warner Bros./Dark Castle/Village Roadshow 2007 color 99 m Horror-Thriller Hilary Swak, Stephen Rea, Anna Sophia Robb, Idris Elba and David Morrisey star. Written by Carey and chad hayes Directed by Stephen Hopkins Rated R for strong language, violence, gore and sexuality.

I'm not quite sure why Warner shelved this film for so long. That said The Reaping is one of the most original horror films in years and packs a surprising punch in its finale. Hilary Swank stars as Katherine Winter a woman who debunks supposed miracles all around the world. After hearing about a town being infected with the biblical plagues she comes over to scientifically explain the strange events. But as she is drawn into the mystery of the town, its people and a mysterious little girl secrets are revealed as the apocalypse draws near. And there's a lot more going on than that. The film is extremely complex and multi layered, it's chaotic and even a bit confusing at times but when the final revelations come together it's well worth your thought process. Swank is of course sensational in the lead she gives Katherine an heir of disbelief and confidence. Her swagger alone carries the film through it's rough patches. Anna Sophia Robb coming off the under rated Bridge to terebithia is wonderfully spooky as the mysterious child and the rest of the cast is filled out nicely by Idris Elba, Stephen Rea and the sexy David Morrisey. The direction from Hopkins is surprisingly unique and inventive that goes as well for the screenplay from the Hayes brothers. The film is far from perfect, the spfx tend to be a bit cheesy and the film seems a little muddled and unfinished in parts. But what the film ultimately succeeds at is in its originality. I've seen a lot of horror films and I've never seen something like this. It's pretty unpredicatable and infinatly interesting. It also is smart and handles it's subject matter surprisingly well playing it straight. The cinematography is complimentary and matches the film it's fills the film with dreamlike arches of landscape and a mood of eminent danger. The score like the recent premonition matches the film chaotically in a weird way making every scene seem much more intense than it actually is. This is a smart movie and has a lot going on it. At 99 mins. it feels a lot longer especially after you've made all of the films discoveries. It's a rare thing these days to be blown away by something so creative, don't miss The Reaping!