The Book of Henry

Name: The Book of Henry
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: June 16, 2017
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 31
Cast: Bobby Moynihan, Dean Norris, Geraldine Hughes, Jacob Tremblay, Jaeden Lieberher

2017

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 63 Ratings

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4.7

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4.7	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 63 Ratings

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The Book Of Henry

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: June 16, 2017 | PG-13

Starring: Bobby Moynihan, Dean Norris, Geraldine Hughes, Jacob Tremblay, Jaeden Lieberher, Lee Pace, Maddie Ziegler, Naomi Watts, Sarah Silverman, Tonya Pinkins

Summary: Sometimes things are not always what they seem, especially in the small suburban town where the Carpenter family lives. Single suburban mother Susan Carpenter (Naomi Watts) works as a waitress at a diner, alongside feisty family friend Sheila (Sarah Silverman). Her younger son Peter (Jacob Tremblay) is a playful 8-year-old. Taking care ofSometimes things are not always what they seem, especially in the small suburban town where the Carpenter family lives. Single suburban mother Susan Carpenter (Naomi Watts) works as a waitress at a diner, alongside feisty family friend Sheila (Sarah Silverman). Her younger son Peter (Jacob Tremblay) is a playful 8-year-old. Taking care of everyone and everything in his own unique way is Susan’s older son Henry (Jaeden Lieberher), age 11. Protector to his adoring younger brother and tireless supporter of his often self-doubting mother – and, through investments, of the family as a whole – Henry blazes through the days like a comet. Susan discovers that the family next door, which includes Henry’s kind classmate Christina (Maddie Ziegler), has a dangerous secret – and that Henry has devised a surprising plan to help. As his brainstormed rescue plan for Christina takes shape in thrilling ways, Susan finds herself at the center of it.… Expand

Director: Colin Trevorrow

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

Joshua Dudley

Jun 20, 2017

The Book of Henry is a wildly imaginative film with a lot of shifting parts, and an absolutely huge heart. A film this original deserves to be seen and felt. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Jun 15, 2017

Suspension of disbelief is an oh-so-tricky hurdle for a movie like this to overcome and The Book of Henry fails to achieve it. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Susan Wloszczyna

Jun 16, 2017

Suddenly, The Book of Henry turns into a not very believable thriller, complete with a ticking clock and a talent show. Read full review

Dan Callahan

Jun 14, 2017

The really sad thing is that this is a movie with some intriguing characters that has some real comic and dramatic potential, but all this gets lost in increasingly silly plot mechanics. Read full review

Ty Burr

Jun 14, 2017

The plot proceeds from the charming to the manipulative to the shameless to the demented in gentle steps that may lull some audiences the way a frog can be boiled to death by degrees. Read full review

Craig D. Lindsey

Jun 20, 2017

The Book of Henry is just a lunkheaded tearjerker that you’ll wish was even half as smart as its allegedly gifted protagonist. Read full review

Josh Kupecki

Jun 14, 2017

The Book of Henry is the most misguided film since the 2003 Gary Oldman abomination "Tiptoes." Trevorrow is slated to helm an upcoming Star Wars film, so y’all have fun with that. Read full review

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User Reviews

buffboy

Oct 9, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Very smart movie - but not as smart as Henry! This movie had me guessing every step of the way, but Henry was always one step ahead.
A must watch for momboys and their moms.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

memonariba

Aug 31, 2018

The story absolutely touched my heart and I loved it. I don't really get why it got such negative critique as it was amazing in my opinion. I am thankful for those people who didn't really like it but still took the positive side of it into consideration before rating. I guess it does dependThe story absolutely touched my heart and I loved it. I don't really get why it got such negative critique as it was amazing in my opinion. I am thankful for those people who didn't really like it but still took the positive side of it into consideration before rating. I guess it does depend on a person's personality and their perspective. Through my perspective i absolutely loved the movie. The concept and feels and the emotional content left me with tears at parts. There were some issues but most movies also do. Overall this movie really focused on the emotion and concept through the story. The transaction could have been better but overall I honestly don't understand why its getting so much hate. I hope people focus on the emotional content more and don't rate it straight zero and try to actually take in the positive aspects!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CommonsenseLady

Jun 17, 2017

I am so glad the level of hatred spewed by the critics on this movie did not deter me from watching it. It was amazing. So beautiful and thoughtful and put me through all emotions while it unfolded. It is so well done and I am not sure I understand why critics want it to fail so badly. It'sI am so glad the level of hatred spewed by the critics on this movie did not deter me from watching it. It was amazing. So beautiful and thoughtful and put me through all emotions while it unfolded. It is so well done and I am not sure I understand why critics want it to fail so badly. It's the kind of movie that stays with you. People around me were so touched by it as well, we all enjoyed it very much. Don't let the haters prevent you from seeing this one of a kind treasure.… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

JLuis_001

Sep 10, 2017

I needed to see the film that left Colin Trevorrow jobless in Star Wars, no doubt the simplicity of this film affected him and is not like he also did something memorable in Jurassic World.
A very poor script that neither the cast can rescue, certainly it's very boring and very unsatisfying.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

trustysloth

Jan 8, 2018

I like fiction, I like science fiction, magical realism and fantasy movies. But fake realism could be the worst thing to happen to a movie. And this one outshines and excels in that.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Aproxx

Aug 13, 2018

A DISASTER.

I was excited by the concept. The fact that tons of critics were kind of offended by it MADE ME MORE EXCITED. And then I saw this CRAP. The execution of this idea was INSANE. Just BAD. At everything. Some scenes are filmed like this was a lowest common denominator SpielbergA DISASTER.

I was excited by the concept. The fact that tons of critics were kind of offended by it MADE ME MORE EXCITED.

And then I saw this CRAP.

The execution of this idea was INSANE. Just BAD. At everything. Some scenes are filmed like this was a lowest common denominator Spielberg kind of movie. WHO MADE THAT DECISION?… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

In_a_sense

Aug 12, 2018

One of the most abysmal, manipulative, muddle, misguided, disgusting piece of dwindled garbage of all time. Spun together with uneven, terrible atmosphere, and plastic, toy performances, The Book of Henry is truly terrible.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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