The Reaping (2007)

Director:

Stephen Hopkins

Writers (WGA):

Carey Hayes (screenplay) &
Chad Hayes (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

5 April 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Thousands of years ago there was a series of bizarre occurrences that many believed to have been the Ten Biblical Plagues. No one thought they could happen again. Until now.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Family Relationships | Message | Cellphone | Dreaming | Minister

Awards:

1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 28

1:15 AM

HBO

Cast

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

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, disturbing images and some sexuality.

Runtime:

99 min | USA:96 min (R-rated version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #43267) | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | Argentina:16 | France:U (with warning) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | New Zealand:M | Finland:K-18 (self applied) | South Korea:15 | Norway:15 | Hong Kong:IIB | Peru:14 | Singapore:M18 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Ireland:15A | Malaysia:18PL | Italy:VM14 | Germany:16 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Portugal:M/16 | Australia:M | Netherlands:16 | Singapore:NC-16 (edited for re-rating)

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

When Isabelle walks Katherine and Ben to the Haven Church, she calls the baby in the stroller "Pud", after sound mixer Pud Cusack.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Katherine and Ben are on the river that turned red, she decides to wade across to the shore when it gets too shallow for the boat they're in. She is seen wearing waders when crossing the river, but they are immediately gone as soon as she gets ashore. Later, when she goes back to the river, they are suddenly back.

Quotes:

Ben: [after Katherine wakes up] Morning. Sleep at all last night?
Katherine Winter: Yeah. Where are we?
Ben: Far enough that all I'm getting is this guy.
[tunes the radio and a song plays that's apparently supposed to be crummy]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-04-07)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Body Move

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!