Knowing

Name: Knowing
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: March 20, 2009
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 41
Cast: Chandler Canterbury, Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne

2009

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 411 Ratings

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6.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 411 Ratings

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Knowing

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Movie Details & Credits

Summit Entertainment | Release Date: March 20, 2009 | PG-13

Starring: Chandler Canterbury, Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne

Summary: In 1958, as part of the dedication ceremony for a new elementary school, a group of students is asked to draw pictures to be stored in a time capsule. But one mysterious girl fills her sheet of paper with rows of apparently random numbers instead. Fifty years later, a new generation of students examines the capsule's contents and theIn 1958, as part of the dedication ceremony for a new elementary school, a group of students is asked to draw pictures to be stored in a time capsule. But one mysterious girl fills her sheet of paper with rows of apparently random numbers instead. Fifty years later, a new generation of students examines the capsule's contents and the girl's cryptic message ends up in the hands of young Caleb Koestler. But it is Caleb's father, professor John Koestler, who makes the startling discovery that the encoded message predicts with pinpoint accuracy the dates, death tolls and coordinates of every major disaster of the past 50 years. As Ted further unravels the document's chilling secrets, he realizes the document foretells three additional events—the last of which hints at destruction on a global scale and seems to somehow involve Ted and his son. When Ted's attempts to alert the authorities fall on deaf ears, he takes it upon himself to try to prevent more destruction from taking place. (Summit Entertainment)… Expand

Director: Alex Proyas

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 121 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

Knowing is among the best science-fiction films I've seen -- frightening, suspenseful, intelligent and, when it needs to be, rather awesome. Read full review

Josh Rosenblatt

It's just engaging enough to make you accept the possibility that two kids from the Boston suburbs may just be mankind’s only hope for the future, and just exciting enough to make you forget that you're watching a Nicolas Cage movie. Read full review

Kamal AL-Solaylee

A catalogue of made-in-America delusions, hallucinations and cosmic catastrophes that draws on environmental fear-mongering in one reel and evangelical lore the next. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Science fiction fans will feel gypped, disaster movie fans will appreciate about 10 minutes of screen time and be bored by the rest, and no one else will care. Read full review

Kyle Smith

UH-UH. Non. Nein. Negative. Sept. 11 is not to be used as the setup for a cheesy disaster prophecy flick. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

Reviewers sometimes insult actors by saying they don't vary their expressions across an entire movie. But until Knowing, I never thought that could literally be true. Nicolas Cage does widen his eyes with about 15 minutes left in the film. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Isn't prophetic ... just pathetic Read full review

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User Reviews

JAM123

Jul 19, 2011

I thought this movie was amazing, the best I've seen in a while. The plotline was cool and the special effects were amazing. Nicolas cage and Rose Byrne were awesome in it. I can't believe how some people didn't like this movie.

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

Sandylittle

Mar 22, 2009

This is one of the best movies I have seen in along time. It was creative and compelling... Nicolas Cage, took you there and is amazing. It was dark ,scarey, heart warming, Well written and directed... Amazing!!!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ZackFromont

Mar 26, 2009

Awesome movie, shit critics ! I'm 14 and this movie was really good. And not only for the disaster scene, but for the whole thing! The problem there was was the funny but unintentional parts. Other than that, it had most of it: Action, Suspense, good plot... but RUSHED ENDING ( Wich Awesome movie, shit critics ! I'm 14 and this movie was really good. And not only for the disaster scene, but for the whole thing! The problem there was was the funny but unintentional parts. Other than that, it had most of it: Action, Suspense, good plot... but RUSHED ENDING ( Wich ain't good). SPOILER It's like if the director had no more ideas and did the same thing than in Indiana Jones (You'll understand if you see the movie)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

akshatmahajan

Feb 17, 2021

I really enjoyed watching this movie. This movie adds something fresh and inspiring to the disaster genre.

Certainly the action scenes are well staged, they are grand and tense. Movie had a lot of surprising, riveting turns due to which audience is bound to know what will happen next. AtI really enjoyed watching this movie. This movie adds something fresh and inspiring to the disaster genre.

Certainly the action scenes are well staged, they are grand and tense. Movie had a lot of surprising, riveting turns due to which audience is bound to know what will happen next.

At first, I thought it was "save the world" type but by the end we get to know that it is not.

I had a complain regarding the film. The middle portion of the movie was slow and stretched. Still, I think the captivating final third more than makes up for it. Ending should not be spoiled because it changes everything.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JohnB

Jul 12, 2009

I didn't hate it. Nick Cage's acting was downright hilarious at times and the special effects were decent. If you've seen "The Day The Earth Stood Still" this movie looks like Citizen Kane compared to that.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

kilopascal

Aug 16, 2010

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. okay, the film was nicely made and the story worked for itself and it was quite simple but catching and tense. but there is one big problem. why on earth would the aliens play with people by giving them cryptic messages, being mysterious weirdos and throwing black stones around for fifty years, if they can simply come, take the kids and go away?! ah, i know, then there wouldn't be any movie...… Expand

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

GRAPHICJETCRASH

Feb 18, 2012

Why such a graphic, horiffic air plane crash? And at Logan Int'l Airport, 100 miles from where I live, no less. I've flown more than a few times-I know flying is safe-but I'm flying in less than 4 months..I can't get the scene, the jet chrashing, multiple explosions, burning, screamingWhy such a graphic, horiffic air plane crash? And at Logan Int'l Airport, 100 miles from where I live, no less. I've flown more than a few times-I know flying is safe-but I'm flying in less than 4 months..I can't get the scene, the jet chrashing, multiple explosions, burning, screaming people, out of my head. Millions of people fly..Why include such a graphic scene to such a large demographic? Poor taste.To those of you who fly, please avoid this movie. Rated XXX for graphic, horiffic violence.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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21	#21 Most Discussed Movie of 2009
22	#22 Most Shared Movie of 2009