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IMDbPro

Case 39

  • 20092009
  • RR
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
86K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,939
461
Case 39 (2009)
A social worker (Zellweger) fights to save a girl from her abusive parents, only to discover that the situation is more dangerous than she ever expected.
Play trailer2:33
5 Videos
92 Photos
  • Horror
  • Mystery
  • Thriller
A social worker fights to save a girl from her abusive parents, only to discover that the situation is more dangerous than she ever expected.A social worker fights to save a girl from her abusive parents, only to discover that the situation is more dangerous than she ever expected.A social worker fights to save a girl from her abusive parents, only to discover that the situation is more dangerous than she ever expected.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
86K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,939
461
  • Director
    • Christian Alvart
  • Writer
    • Ray Wright
  • Stars
    • Renée Zellweger
    • Ian McShane
    • Jodelle Ferland
Top credits
  • Director
    • Christian Alvart
  • Writer
    • Ray Wright
  • Stars
    • Renée Zellweger
    • Ian McShane
    • Jodelle Ferland
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 300User reviews
    • 169Critic reviews
    • 25Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations

    Videos5

    Case 39
    Trailer 2:33
    Case 39
    Le cas 39
    Trailer 2:19
    Le cas 39
    Case 39: International Trailer
    Trailer 2:21
    Case 39: International Trailer
    "Mrs. Sullivan"
    Clip 0:38
    "Mrs. Sullivan"
    What Scares Bradley Cooper?
    Featurette 0:49
    What Scares Bradley Cooper?

    Photos92

    Renée Zellweger in Case 39 (2009)
    Renée Zellweger in Case 39 (2009)
    Renée Zellweger and Bradley Cooper in Case 39 (2009)
    Renée Zellweger in Case 39 (2009)
    Bradley Cooper in Case 39 (2009)
    Kerry O'Malley and Callum Keith Rennie in Case 39 (2009)
    Renée Zellweger and Callum Keith Rennie in Case 39 (2009)
    Renée Zellweger in Case 39 (2009)
    Renée Zellweger in Case 39 (2009)
    Renée Zellweger in Case 39 (2009)
    Renée Zellweger and Bradley Cooper in Case 39 (2009)
    Renée Zellweger and Ian McShane in Case 39 (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Renée Zellweger
    Renée Zellweger
    • Emily Jenkinsas Emily Jenkins
    Ian McShane
    Ian McShane
    • Detective Barronas Detective Barron
    Jodelle Ferland
    Jodelle Ferland
    • Lilith Sullivanas Lilith Sullivan
    Bradley Cooper
    Bradley Cooper
    • Dougas Doug
    Callum Keith Rennie
    Callum Keith Rennie
    • Edward Sullivanas Edward Sullivan
    Adrian Lester
    Adrian Lester
    • Wayneas Wayne
    Kerry O'Malley
    Kerry O'Malley
    • Margaret Sullivanas Margaret Sullivan
    Cynthia Stevenson
    Cynthia Stevenson
    • Nancyas Nancy
    Alexander Conti
    Alexander Conti
    • Diegoas Diego
    Philip Cabrita
    • Javieras Javier
    Vanesa Tomasino
    Vanesa Tomasino
    • Javier's Wifeas Javier's Wife
    Mary Black
    Mary Black
    • Custody Judgeas Custody Judge
    Domenico D'Ambrosio
    • Plainclothes Copas Plainclothes Cop
    Benita Ha
    Benita Ha
    • Therapistas Therapist
    J. Winston Carroll
    • Judgeas Judge
    • (as John Carroll)
    Michael Bean
    Michael Bean
    • Co-Workeras Co-Worker
    Lesley Ewen
    Lesley Ewen
    • Co-Workeras Co-Worker
    David Patrick Green
    David Patrick Green
    • Chief Psychiatristas Chief Psychiatrist
    • Director
      • Christian Alvart
    • Writer
      • Ray Wright
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This movie was completed in 2007, and was initially scheduled for an American release in August 2008, but was delayed twice before its final release date on October 1, 2010, three years after completing production.
    • Goofs
      (at around 1h 18 mins) During the rainstorm scene where Emily flees her home to escape Lilith, she runs toward a bus. Emily, who is supposed to be wearing shorts is clearly in a pair of long legged pants in one shot.
    • Quotes

      Douglas J. Ames: Everybody has fears... now, what scares you?

      Lillith Sullivan: Me.

      Douglas J. Ames: You scare yourself?

      Lillith Sullivan: Sometimes.

      Douglas J. Ames: Why? What about yourself scares you?

      Lillith Sullivan: I have bad thoughts.

      Douglas J. Ames: About what?

      Lillith Sullivan: People.

      Douglas J. Ames: People in general or... certain people?

      Lillith Sullivan: Certain people.

      Douglas J. Ames: Like who?

      Lillith Sullivan: You.

      Douglas J. Ames: You have bad thoughts about me? Why?

      Lillith Sullivan: I just do.

      Douglas J. Ames: Did I do something or say something that upset you?

      Lillith Sullivan: It's just... the way you are.

      Douglas J. Ames: How am I?

      Lillith Sullivan: Facile.

      Douglas J. Ames: Facile? Pfff... do you even know what that means?

      Lillith Sullivan: Easily comprehended, often lacking sincerity or depth. You're smug too... want me to tell you what that means?

      Douglas J. Ames: Uhm, If I... seem smug or facile, I want...

      Lillith Sullivan: Don't apologize.

      Douglas J. Ames: Why not?

      Lillith Sullivan: You're a grown-up... it's embarrassing.

    • Connections
      Featured in Phelous & the Movies: Phelous Is on Case 39 (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      Like Dat
      Written by Stat Quo (as Stanley Benton), Gerald Griffin & Lt. Mo (as Todd Moore)

      Performed by Stat Quo

      Courtesy of Interscope Records

      Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

    User reviews300

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Evil Talosian
    The person that social worker Renee Zellweger is investigating in Case 39 is Jodelle Ferland an innocent little girl seemingly who seems to be crying out for intervention. The humanitarian instincts of Zellweger necessary for her occupation are aroused and she and cop Ian McShane go to the house just in time to rescue the little girl from her parents, Callum Keith Rennie and Kerry McCallum from roasting her in their oven, the kind of horrific crime that every now and then you see splashed across your evening news.

    Zellweger breaks the usual bounds of professional distance when she takes it on herself to take in the child. Once she does the little girl proves not quite what she originally seems and literally sucks the humanitarianism out of her.

    This will go completely over the people who are not Star Trek fans, but young Ms. Ferland reminded me so much of an evil Talosian. If you will recall in that famous pilot for Star Trek, the Talosians are blessed with the power of illusion, they can make you see and hear all kinds of things that are not there. With that they can trick you into stuff. There not evil people however, but Captain Christopher Pike when he's captured by them has to learn their secret in order to triumph.

    That's what Renee has to do, overcome the power of illusion. How it all works out for her is what you have to see Case 39 for.

    As for the film itself, Case 39 is a cut above a lot of these horror films, but it could have used considerable improvement in the storytelling.
    helpful•6
    3
    • bkoganbing
    • Feb 20, 2011

    FAQ11

    • What is "Case 39" about?
    • Is 'Case 39' based on a book?
    • Why did Lily keep falling asleep during class?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 1, 2010 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Official sites
      • MySpace
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Đứa Con Của Quỷ
    • Filming locations
      • Portland, Oregon, USA
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Vantage
      • Misher Films
      • Anonymous Content
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $26,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $13,261,851
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,350,570
      • Oct 3, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $28,190,603
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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