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Case 39

  • 20092009
  • RR
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
85K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,917
288
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
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
85K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,917
288
  • 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
    • 299User 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
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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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 reviews299

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A good light horror film
    In this film, a dedicated social worker who works to protect minors will come across a case that initially appears to be violence and domestic abuse. She is not sure what is really going on in that family, but her instinct and experience tell her that there is something very wrong with those parents. And the suspicions are confirmed when, alerted by the girl, she finds her parents ready to kill her in the oven. Months later, she obtains the girl's provisional custody, but just a few weeks of living together will be enough for her to begin to see that this girl may not be as innocent as she looks, and that something truly sinister is going on with her.

    Horror films in which children are the central element of the plot are nothing new. We had classics like "Village of the Damned", "The Omen" and the entire "Children of the Corn" franchise, not to mention the more recent films like "The Orphan". However, they are still delicious and appealing, when they are really well done. The film has an interesting story, which unfolds at a good pace, without twists, subterfuges or stratagems to amplify the suspense, and everything suffers from a certain degree of predictability. However, the film benefits from the good construction of the characters, especially the protagonist, a social worker who soon conquers us with her dedication and good intentions, and holds our attention until the end.

    In fact, the excellent performances of Renee Zellweger and young Jodelle Ferland are essential for the quality and strength of the final product. Zellweger had already shown us, in several previous works, to be an actress of great talent and versatility, but she manages to take the film on her back, while Ferland was able to overcome her inexperience and youth to give us a colossal job. For a child actress, she even looks like an adult, as threatening and calculating as she can be. The film also features the work of Ian McShane and Bradley Cooper, safe bets on the supporting characters.

    The film is not particularly remarkable in terms of production values and technical issues. Cinematography is standard, but it works quite well and is effective, adapting well and helping to build the light tension felt during the film. Some scenes in particular (such as the sinking car scene or the fire) were brilliantly shot, but there is a greater sense of danger. The sets and costumes are everything we could hope for, without surprises or major problems. The editing and the soundtrack do their job discreetly.
    helpful•3
    0
    • filipemanuelneto
    • May 3, 2021

    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

    Related news

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