It would make many film critics physically attack me to hear me say so, but over the years the tropes and cliches of indie arthouse character studies have become almost as codified as those of slick summer blockbusters. Chilly dinner table scenes? Check. Protagonist having a third act freakout scene? Check. Abrupt, ambiguous ending? Check. Dream sequences galore too. Loved Michael Shannon's performance (it's a shame he's almost forced to underact on Boardwalk Empire) and the score though.

It's a wonderful mediation on the onset of mental illness, to start, but it's more than that - it's a comment on our society, and the anxiety and worry that can grip us all with the world in its current state. Shannon is a goddamn acting powerhouse, and Chastain is great as usual. Beautiful Malickian visuals, a fantastically unsettling tone, and a breathtaking final message. The best American film of the year. ps if you think the final scene means "he was right all along" you're mad dumb

This is an overlong, rather dull psychological mystery with sci-fi overtones and it proves that there really isn't such a fine line between vague and incoherent. Despite the studied restraint the ending is nevertheless overdetermined and inevitable. Michael Shannon tries hard, I guess, but his part serves the premise, not the other way around.

It's a bit too up-front with its symbolism, but beautifully crafted all the same. It's telling that a film which pairs its economic troubles with psychotic episodes comes across as relatively muted for an American working-class drama these days. I'd like to see the rise of an American Neo(sur)realism.

Very good drama. The characters are well-developed and intriguing. It's quite beautifully shot.

"Michael Shannon's haunting performance as a blue-collar Ohio man victimized by schizophrenia carries this dread-infused character study." - Bill Weber

Works as both a character study of an everyday man dealing with all kinds of familiar problems and as a super tense, excellently paced thriller. The acting is great all-around, and the imagery presented throughout the film is frightening and memorable.

pretty good. a little on the nose and predictable, but michael shannon and especially jessica chastain are fantastic. for most of the movie i really liked the score, but the song that plays over the end credits is fucking AWFUL. seriously bad. i wanna knock this down another five points for that song but that doesn't seem fair. oh, and people who are mad about the last scene are very silly.

Shannon own this movie...

Pretty good for an independent film - especially regarding special effects and the acting - about a million-billions times better than any original movie that airs on the Syfy channel. The story is a little predictable at times, but not to the point that it bothered me - I still enjoyed it. I can't really say much more than that without spoiling anything. Definitely worth a rental.

I can't remember the last time I saw a film wherein the escalating dread was so palpable, so unbearable. It's a slow movie, yet almost inconceivably gripping; it's intense, eerie, and directed and scored perfectly.

Take Shelter is a multilayered cake that works both on your emotions and perception of reality. Another excellent realization of the idea of intense anticipation. Something same big since the Coen's A Serious Man.

One of the most unsettling films I've ever seen, Shannon's performance here was fantastic.

When it doesn't force the proceedings, it's an ominous, unsettling pic that explores the tensions between self-certainty and faith in others — a potent theme that its final scene ultimately reduces to a bad joke.

Will he open the door? These little moments become huge.

This was pretty good. Nichols' subtle direction paired with a couple of good performances makes a pretty riveting film. I'm not sure I liked Shannon as much as others, but in some moments he is absolutely terrifying. Chastain is tailor made for this kind of a role. The score was excellent at highlighting the film. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending though. I thought an earlier ending would have made it a bit better. Never heard of Nichols before, but after this he is definitely on my radar.

Definitely one of the best films of the year. Everything is just done so well - the acting, the directing, the fear, the feeling of dread. Michael Shannon is amazing and so is Jessica Chastain. The final scenes are gripping and powerful - the film as a whole is powerful and will prove to be more relevant as we near the end of 2012.

This is a cool, unusual movie with great performances from Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon. Jeff Nichols builds the tension in this film so well, it will really suck you in to its world. I urge skeptical people to give this movie a watch.

One of the best disaster movie in recent years.filmmakers Jeff Nichols unique approach on disaster movie is unique and riveting.it delivers powerful emotion about paranoia and desperation thanks to Michael Shannon brilliant acting. the atmosphere of the catastrophic storm is thick and haunting through the movie.it brings the realistic aspect of the movie. "Take Shelter" is unlike any other disaster movie you will ever seen.it is purely one of the most dramatic and realistic disaster movie.

An amazing performance from Michael Shannon centers this intense drama. The film is very grounded and never gives much either way to show if he's insane or actually getting signs from above and the way Shannon handles the internal struggles of the character is amazing. The films also benefits from a solid supporting cast and directing as well as surprisingly beautiful shots and special effects. One of the best of the year.