Customer Ratings & Reviews

Most people have probably heard of the idea that babies and young children can see and hear things that older people can't, or have lost the ability to. That a baby in a crib gurgling and laughing at the ceiling, for example, is actually talking to a spirit there. It's a fascinating premise, whose application to a horror movie is a stroke of genius. In "The Messengers" a family moves into an old farmhouse where something very bad once happened. Only Ben, the little toddler of the family, can see the supernatural prescences in the house, and he appears more delighted with them than afraid. When his teenage sister Jess also starts encountering unusual occurences - this time of an apparantly non-benevolent nature - she also begins noticing Ben's unusual behavior as well and realizes that he too is experiencing something out of the ordinary; the hard part after that is getting anybody else to take her seriously. The movie utilizes much more atmosphere than action, and the cast has to carry off a lot the show by reacting to very subtle (Most of the time), slow-paced, occurences, in a way that makes it feel real and frightening. The actors and actresses were well picked for their parts, and Kristen Stewart as Jess and twins Evan and Theodore Turner as Ben, playing the characters who experience most of the strangeness in the movie's early, slower-going, parts, are especially impressive. All the production values necessary to make this kind of atmosphere work - the light and shadows, the subtle use of sounds, the camerawork, etc. - are all handled very well too. Outstanding performances are given by all the leads, especially from the two male actors McDermott ("'Til There Was You") and John Corbett ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding"). I'm not accustomed to seeing these romantic comedy hunks in a horror film. Corbett proves that he is a talented actor. The adorable, perky Miller is great, as always, as the distressed heroine ("The Relic"). Kristen Stewart gives a really incredible performance. She's got some serious acting chops regardless of her youth. I believe she was 15-16 when she filmed this movie. Her eyes and face truly expressed her horror, anger and isolation as the script dictated In the last one third or so of the movie, as things start to speed up and secrets come to light, I guess you could say that there were too broad directions it could have gone in, that it had to choose from. Myself, I would have chosen the route the movie didn't take, but it handles the path it chooses so well that it avoids slumping into a letdown. (I am still curious, though, what it would have been like if they had gone that other way) It's worth noting that when it ended I was rather taken aback that it was over so quick. Its running time is something like 85 minutes, but it felt like it came it at under an hour - and that's even in light of the slowly building pace it maintained. It must have been doing something pretty right to make time fly like that (on the other hand, I've seen other movies of about the same length that seem to drag on for hours). "Messengers" could have actually been quite a bit longer without hurting itself one bit; and as good as the ending turned out to be it may have been even better if it had gone on that different turn, but there's no point in complaining with something this good.If you enjoyed, "The Messengers," you may want to watch "The Amityville Horror," both classic original and modern remake. "Christina's House" has similar themes and is also recommended. but i would Highly, highly recommended for fans of "Dark Water", "The Eye", "Haunted", "The Sixth Sense", "Pan's Labyrinth" and other atmospheric horror movies.

3 of 5 stars for the suspense movie The Messengers. A family moves from civilization to the middle-of-no-where into an obviously haunted house about two steps better than the Addams Family house. We have an unbalanced daughter and a baby brother who "sees things". The house is part of a Sunflower farm. We hire a farm hand to help our family. Strange things start to happen specially with the local crow population. I won't spoil the suspense elements of the movie. Of course, had it been me, I'd never have moved into the house in the first place. This is a well made suspense movie with really odd things happening. Good suspense music. Good plot and well acted. I do recommend this movie.

this movie had it all, the creepy ghosts, the wicked house,the isolation, the evil guy, and the innocent family. it was almost perfect. just enough to spook you, and know that things like this really happen. you know a traumatic experience, bad guy forgets, family not knowing what they're walking into, the ghost calling out for help, and the little boy who sees everything. it's a good mix and these guys did their thing. the house and the ghosts would just keep on reliving the horror that went on there for all time, or until somebody came around to help. he did the deed and he got his too. you can't get away with these kinds of things because they always come back to haunt you literally. killer movie, great effects, nice ghosts. I had no trouble with any of the characters, either. Since it was partly one of those "you don't listen to me," teen girl flicks, I expected some snotty kid was Kirsten Stewart was fine as 16- year-old "Jess." Dylan McDermott and Penelope Ann Miller played nice enough parents, too.The twist near the end was good after that was revealed, you got the normal clichés with the climactic action scene. That was kind of cheesy, I admit, but most of the film was just fine with me. For what I expected, I have no complaints. It's a good fick love ya :D

I got this movie on sale a at Best Buy in Pittsburgh for about $5. I'm happy with what I got for $5, though I wouldn't want to pay too much more. It's a good story. Not too much blood and guts type stuff. Good to watch with a girlfriend. Good for younger teenagers. Doesn't really explain itself though. I still have some unanswered questions about the crows and the purpose of the haunting. But I quit thinking about it a while ago. Recommended.

Unfortunately, this movie fails to deliver. This, yet another, Japanese-inspired horror movie fails to impress whilst pulling out every cliche the genre has to offer. Every plot twist and jump scare are obvious from a mile away. The family dynamics are a joke at best and the acting from the parents is just as cliche as the rest of the script. Say what you will about the movie, but it certainly looks and sounds great. All in all, I would leave this great looking movie sitting on the shelf and buy something else with your hard earned money.

This was a great haunting movie, my wife and I loved it! Filled with creepy, jumpy, scary scenes, this movie will have you on the edge of your seat. If you're a fan of such movies as Shutter, Dark Water, or The Return, then you'll love this movie. I highly recommend it! (However, avoid Messengers 2: The Scarecrow, it's nothing like this one.)

I never saw this movie b4 until I decided to rent it. I was so not disappointed about it, I was @ the edge of my recliner just wandering what was going to happen next. For people that don't enjoy watching horror movies, you won't be disappointed. There's no bloody, gory murders that's shown throughout this movie. Enjoy the movie :-)

Same "whats wrong with this house" s tory that has been retold any many differnt ways many differnt times. This one is a bit differnt but still an avoidable movie. This movie is also plagued with bad acting, led mostly by Dylan Mcdermott. He is horrible in this movie. There are a few scenes that are scary, but other than that this movie is bad.

I thought this movie was not to great but not bad. I was expecting something else that did not happen.