The Box (2009)
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The story
In December 1976, married couple Norma and Arthur Lewis find a mysterious wooden box on their doorstep containing a button protected by a glass dome and a note. They are visited by a disfigured man named Arlington Steward, who offers them one million dollars if they press the button, warning that someone they do not know will die as a consequence. As Norma and Arthur face financial concerns and personal struggles, they must deliberate on the moral implications of the offer while Steward gives them a 24-hour deadline to decide.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1976, Norma and Arthur Lewis receive a box from Arlington Steward, who offers them one million dollars to press a button that kills an unknown person. Norma impulsively presses it, and Steward provides the money, implying a consequence. Arthur begins investigating Steward, discovering his car is registered to the NSA and finding Steward's photo in NASA records. Meanwhile, Norma receives cryptic warnings. The narrative reveals that Steward is controlled by otherworldly 'employers' who use the boxes to test humanity's morality to decide if they are worthy of extinction. After a series of surreal events involving water portals and the kidnapping of their son, Walter, the couple is presented with a final choice: live with their money and a deaf-blind son, or Arthur must shoot Norma to restore Walter's senses. They choose to sacrifice Norma. After she is shot, Walter's senses are restored, and Steward delivers the money to another couple. Arthur is taken away by authorities as the cycle of testing continues.
- First release year
- 2009
- Runtime (minutes)
- 115
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Richard Kelly
- Writers
- Richard Kelly · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Cameron Diaz · Norma; James Marsden · Arthur; Frank Langella · Arlington Steward
- Genres
- science-fiction; thriller; psychological thriller
- Themes
- morality; sacrifice; conspiracy; extraterrestrial life
- Tone and mood
- suspenseful; surreal
- Premise and plot tags
- moral dilemma; sci-fi; mystery
- Source material / true-story basis
- 1970 short story "Button Button" by Richard Matheson
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics and has subsequently developed a cult following over time.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 42% · review count: 153
- Awards and nominations
- Visual Effects Society Awards · Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture · 8th · lost
- Production trivia
- The film was shot digitally using the Panavision Genesis camera.; Arlington Steward's car is a Buick Electra, though characters refer to it as a Lincoln Town Car.; Richard Kelly's father worked at NASA Langley in the 1970s and 80s.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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