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Knowing

Knowing

2009
Drama, Sci-fi
2h 1m
In 1959, a time capsule is buried at an elementary school. One pupil's contribution is a strange letter containing a long sequence of numbers. Fifty years later the capsule is opened, and the contents distributed. The father of the boy who receives the strange letter is a university professor, who begins to discern a bizarre significance to the numeric string, leading him deeper and deeper into questions about the nature of the universe and the future of terrestrial life.
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Knowing

2009
Drama, Sci-fi
2h 1m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 30.28% from 4218 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(4217)
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Rated 15 Mar 2010
68
48th
I'm pretty sure there is a brilliant movie hiding in a bad one here. It brazenly illustrates the religiosity we all knew hid in films like Close Encounters and 2001, as well as Apocalypse-genre films. That it pisses off most everyone with its theological bait-and-switch is fucking fascinating.
Rated 23 Mar 2009
1
5th
Garbage movie. Attempts to ruminate on heady science fiction ideas but instead falls spectacularly on its face unlike anything I've seen in years. The first two-thirds are a mediocre disaster movie but the third act is one of the most grotesquely awful climaxes / endings in the long annals of the medium.
Rated 13 May 2009
70
65th
Could've been seminal sci-fi. Disappointingly, interesting themes remain underdeveloped but the excellent basic premise (think Final Destination on a large scale) keeps you hooked throughout. Effective disaster sequences, competently made, recall the style of mayhem in Cloverfield/Children of Men. Proyas paces his film well and knows how to create suspense. Not entirely successful, this is definitely more ambitious and brave than your average blockbuster. If only it wasn't so piss-poorly acted!
Rated 16 May 2009
14
2nd
Dark, dreary, sci-fi, quasi-religious, peri-apocalyptic pabulum is so bad, you will wish for the world to end rather than endure another painful minute. Various aspects make this flick laughable, including Cage, as usual, taking himself way too seriously and the movie opening with a flaming moose running in slow motion (seriously).
Rated 03 Sep 2009
30
7th
No part of this movie has anything to do with any other part. Time capsules, aliens, sun flares, psychic predictions, disasters... what the heck is going on? Why not throw in some pirates and ninjas?
Rated 04 Apr 2009
61
41st
Knowing is to me the best Cage has done in a while, but that's not saying a whole lot substantially. The disaster scenes themselves are worth the price of admission alone, with the exception of the first. The premise is also quite intriguing and provocative and it often makes several fascinating enquirys about the existence of mankind. What really damages and strains Knowing from the start to finish, is the occasionally campy moments and disconnecting scenes watched by the viewers. Still decent.
Rated 03 Apr 2009
1
2nd
Nauseating story (written by a bunch of psychos) plus atrocious acting plus aliens/gay austrian underwear models/Dr. Manhattan = crapfest. Bring an Ipod, trust me...
Rated 21 Jun 2009
1
0th
You gotta be kidding me. That's the worst thing i've watched for years. I really need to know how to build a time machine or something that could erase the last hour and a half.
Rated 11 Jul 2009
0
4th
This is by far the worst movie I have ever seen. I went through my list and I have confirmed so. Every acting performance was horrendous. The plot was amateur and juvenile. The tangents were unbearable and comical really, mixing the apocalypse with aliens and determinism. The ''destruction'' was unrealistic. People being burned alive and run over is not epic, just unnecessary. I was never impressed or interested throughout the film. I laughed more than I gasped. This movie is a total waste.
Rated 30 Mar 2009
30
32nd
For some unknown reason I like Cage's one trick pony style of acting, but it doesn't fit in this movie at all and distracts you from the plot constantly. The disaster scenes are visually fun for the eyes with the exception of the first major one that has its victims running around on fire from a disaster no one would survive. The ending comes close to being ballsy but only makes it halfway. Also be ready for main characters do things no other sane person would do in similar situations.
Rated 13 Apr 2009
47
19th
Undeniably stupid with a stupid ending to a stupid storyline. That being said, there are some nice scenes in here, including a plane crash scene featured in the trailer that defies description it's so implausible and awesome. Nicholas Cage cannot act. I feel sorry for him, he's been typecast and he doesn't even know it.
Rated 30 Jun 2009
48
25th
Some interesting ideas brought down by shoddy acting, eye-rolling coincidences and a final revelation that was only worth a shrug. The disasters were done very effectively and were pretty painful to watch. Good that there was no cop-out ending at least.
Rated 03 Feb 2023
70
65th
Your arguments are all very persuasive, but there's a POV shot from inside the subway car as it slides along mauling people. I would let that shot inside of me.
Rated 27 Mar 2009
85
73rd
This may come as a shock, but Knowing is an excellent film. The story is smart and runs its course with a great pace. It reveals just what it needs to at all the right times once it gets going. The marketing team responsible for the trailer has some explaining to do because they sell this to be a cheesy Cage actioner when it's really one of the most interesting sci-fi films I've seen in a very long time. Maybe I'm alone on this but I hope I'm not; Knowing is sure to be a recent favorite.
Rated 06 Apr 2009
77
62nd
a whole lot of plot holes, but most of the truly annoying ones dont come until the last half hour, up till then it's definately satisfying. even though the end spirals out of any relm of believeability, it's still a decent watch, although you maybe cringing at cheesiness.
Rated 08 Apr 2009
50
18th
The directing is very good and the special effects were impressive but story-wise it falls apart. It doesn't make sense even in its own reality .
Rated 12 Apr 2009
45
8th
Actually builds up some decent tension, until it contradicts itself in the final third.
Rated 22 Jun 2009
1
0th
The radiation will reach 1 mile under the earths surface? Come on, these hollywood hacks should at least take a physics class before they start throwing numbers around. Terrible acting, terrible premise, absolutely boring and pointless.
Rated 25 Jun 2009
25
11th
*SPOILER * Blonde playboys are both aliens and angels to make the ending more fucked up. Aliens are god&crew or vice versa...I wanna puke.
Rated 02 Jul 2009
66
52nd
I like this more than I probably should -- Cage's bizarre acting is occasionally off-putting, and there are some tonally inconsistent scenes that pull you out of the experience. Still, I found it to be a fully engaging and often riveting film with a pair of showstopping effects sequences. Shyamalan has tried making films like this and failed repeatedly, but Proyas' effort works. It has a brain even when it's being stupid, and explored several thoughts I've had before. Concept: 76. Execution: 56.
Rated 06 Jul 2009
8
1st
Creationist write this movie? Well, like there theories...so stupid!
Rated 08 Jul 2009
80
77th
Look up charisma in the dictionary. There's a picture of Nicolas Cage.
Rated 09 Jul 2009
1
11th
Nicolas Cage and his doll hair perform a gross parody of what we humans call acting in this dumb, dumb, dumb flick.
Rated 03 Aug 2009
65
38th
Cliche and sometimes cheesy, and Cage's acting rarely works, but revolves around some interesting ideas. I don't find the ending as bad as most people say; it's open ended enough to not be a direct endorsement of creationism, but rather seems to imply that these beings influenced us in our past, and it helps that the CG budget was saved for those scenes. Held back by its inconsistency, but still thought provoking.
Rated 28 Dec 2009
48
12th
You see a citizen run away from wreckage on fire, screaming - if you are John Koestler (Cage) you yell out "Hey!" as he passes and then "HEY!" again with a tone of genuine annoyance as you realise he's ignoring you. Cage's awfulness is all-conquering here and he makes you want to smack him on his giant forehead with a rolled up copy of this dull script.
Rated 31 Mar 2010
70
56th
A film that's unfairly panned because of some of the Nicolas Cage backlash. It's readily apparent that Alex Proyas draws a lot of inspiration from 50's sci-fi. There's a pulp feel to the story that's unmistakable from something you'd read out of 50's era EC comics. This isn't great cinema and rehashes cliches at times but it is gripping & mindlessly entertaining. Suffice to say the less you know going in the better it is.
Rated 17 Feb 2011
66
72nd
The Proyas wiring in my brain is wrong. For all the people who loved Dark City and hated this, I'm the opposite. Schlock disaster movie on a vast scale with the apropos effects budget and Nicholas Cage running around being antagonized by supersexual Scandinavians? The last shot is a huge slap in the face to Dawkins fans, but as long as you don't take it seriously Knowing is a fun ride.
Rated 07 Aug 2011
70
37th
Nicholas Cage does his very best to ruin this throughout and it's a little over-serious and lets face it, bollocky. But! The disaster scenes were pretty amazing and it was always entertaining and interesting. Also, at times this felt like an emotional family drama masquerading as a disaster film without ever really giving Cage or his on screen father issues any real attention. Again, entertaining and interesting but also absurd and needlessly over boiled.
Rated 29 Mar 2009
62
34th
"Knowing" has so much to praise and roll your eyes at in equal measure. Alex Proyas, making a film that feels exactly like one from the Shyamalan canon, delivers an intriguing premise and poses interesting questions about existence - what he delivers ultimately is a ballsy movie for sure. Sometimes engaging and others not fully connecting to the audience, it has its campy moments too, and visually it's a mixed bag with some effects looking very dated. Overall, "Knowing" is very hot and cold.
Rated 31 Mar 2009
2
16th
"If not for some good fx and hearty unintentional laughs, 260309 - this release date - would have featured on the disaster roll."
Rated 24 Apr 2009
25
17th
Pros include: Cage doesn't phone it in the entire time, the direction is perfectly fine and the disaster sequences are more well done than I've seen in other films (even if the CGI is bad). Problems include: The religious undertones are ludicrously blatant, Cage phones it in most of the time and the plot and characters are retarded.
Rated 01 Jun 2009
95
71st
The ending is problematic, but the rest of the movie is thrilling, engrossing, and horrifyingly direct. A truly creative and original movie, the latest of Nicholas Cage's streak of underrated work.
Rated 21 Jun 2009
45
12th
At the hands of another director, this film would be total crap. Proyas makes it somewhat enjoyable at least... But even he can't help where it goes in the end.
Rated 25 Jun 2009
66
39th
This film is confusing and problematic, since it delivers some great ideas and mix it with Hollywood-style action/sci-fi flick. Confusing, but I'd say you should watch it, because the ideas it presents are worth it. Alex Proyas is good director, too bad he's going into blockbuster section.
Rated 27 Jun 2009
40
26th
Proyas should take some psychiatrist seddions to get rid of his obvious fascination with burning living creatures. Also features the only underground train that moves faster outside its tracks than on them and many other wonders!
Rated 03 Jul 2009
40
9th
Starts out as a decent sci-fi with an interesting premise, devolves into religious alien nonsense. Nick Cage plays another unhinged, over-the-top scientist character. A few scenes are genuinely cool, but they aren't enough to keep it interesting.
Rated 04 Jul 2009
51
40th
Majority of the disasters are marv and worth to see the flick. But bewared, the actors (all) and the story itself are terrible bull. The director is completely lost with them. First time I saw in Hollywood production where people really die (!) in piles in accidents. Masses of people. In plane and train crashes. I'm impressed.
Rated 09 Jul 2009
0
1st
Nicholas Cage is dead to me. This is the worst load of overused sappy/sci-fi recycled 10-times-over bullshit plot and acting I have seen in QUITE some time. Nic Cage, you suck.
Rated 10 Jul 2009
40
12th
Extremely ludicrous storyline. I really didn't care. After about 40 minutes, I started fast forwarding. I was glad I fast forwarded instead of turning it off, because the ending is incredibly insane. Some good visuals; otherwise really bad.
Rated 13 Jul 2009
1
0th
Horrible acting. Horrible plot. Horrible movie. The bible?
Rated 18 Jul 2009
78
14th
At first I tought this could be a good movie. After watching the trailer I likeds the concept , but when I was wathing the movie it sucked. The disaster-scenes were pretty decent , but the whole plot was terrible. The only thing you will see is Cage trying to solve a code an a bad ending. The plot is pretty clear , but I wanted more explanations about the who and the why. If it had that info , it would get a better score.
Rated 27 Jul 2009
7
65th
Actually enjoyed it. Stupid ending ruins things a bit. Had an interesting disaster premise then just decided faith/aliens will bring everything full circle.
Rated 04 Aug 2009
2
0th
I was so looking forward to this movie-- what happened? Great visuals sure, but part way through it started going in some cheesy unfortunate direction I sincerely hoped it would dig it's way out from . . . but no. Two hours of my life I cannot get back.
Rated 15 Aug 2009
61
17th
Features a moose on fire. Extremely, mind-crushingly heavy-handed delivering of its themes, but, features a moose on fire. Nicolas Cage basically plays Nicolas Cage, but you could do worse than watch this movie. A moose on fire, guys, c'mon.
Rated 25 Aug 2009
50
43rd
Very derivative of a Spielberg movie I won't name in order not to spoil it for audiences. Use of Beethoven's 7th very derivative of IRREVERSIBLE. Narrative is rather nonsensical but manages to hold the interest of the viewer. Does not pull its punches when it comes to depicting disaster onscreen. Quasi-religious, but only in the FIVE MILLION YEARS TO EARTH mode (although a little more ambiguously than that, perhaps). Overuses shaky camerawork.
Rated 23 Nov 2009
45
36th
Another number flick in the tradition of PI and The Number 23. Nic is hell-bent on always finding new frontiers, when it comes to career lows. However, this Proyas-helmer, though seriously dumb, does have it's visually interesting moments, and at the end of the day, I'm just _that_ simple: Everything is well that ends in destruction.
Rated 06 Dec 2009
74
52nd
ok so it wasn't perfect it has its flaws and holes, but i was genuinely interested and entertained throughout.
Rated 15 Feb 2010
25
6th
I have a Mathematical equation for you: ((Cage-$))/(informed careerchoices)) * (actual science < impressive visuals) - 1(plot) + 2(bunnies) = 25
Rated 13 Mar 2010
35
5th
What a shame. I like Alex Proyas, but this was a highly flawed affair with a silly premise which took itself way too seriously until the almost hilarious conclusion.
Rated 05 Apr 2010
10
4th
Cage is a good actor, and watching Herzog's recent Bad Lieutenant proves it, but Knowing, in a way, proves it even more. How he manages to act here with deadpan seriousness is beyond me. If I had to act in this oafish but pretentious sci-fi/disaster movie, I would burst out laughing at so many different points just from considering the absurdity of the script.
Rated 29 Apr 2010
70
71st
Terrifying, amazingly stupid too
Rated 18 Aug 2010
1
0th
PIECE OF CRAP!
Rated 14 Oct 2010
75
73rd
Suprisingly good, especially the first part.
Rated 14 Nov 2011
60
65th
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Rated 12 Dec 2011
62
7th
Derivative sci-fi tripe loaded with featureless characters and Nicolas Cage phoning in the same tired old lunatic act. The script's combination of science, paranormal phenomena, and alien life feels incongruous and unpolished, while the CGI disaster sequences look big and spectacular but are largely pointless. The real question is, if you knew the film was going to be this bad, would you still watch it?
Rated 15 Feb 2012
60
55th
If the first 105 minutes weren't exceedingly great, this might be the worst movie ever made for its ending. Nicolas Cage continues to be one of the best things happening in movies.
Rated 20 Nov 2012
60
14th
A film of ridiculous ambition and potential that just can't live up to itself. There's some very interesting aspects, then there's some very careless aspects. I don't know how to feel about it.
Rated 20 Oct 2013
20
4th
New age religious piece of Cage-shit.
Rated 27 Apr 2016
20
4th
I never thought a film that starts with a creepy girl dressed in all black would end with aliens taking a select group of children and restarting the human race on another planet. Bizarre and not done well. The scene where the Earth's surface becomes scorched to hell is pretty spectacular though.
Rated 21 May 2023
5
1st
no
Rated 28 Mar 2009
60
79th
When cage isn't running around like a half cocked lunatic with his nutty prophesy, he can be endearing, which makes me wish the plot didn't provide so many opportunities for him to act brooding or nuts; which is like the sky acting blue. But altogether this makes for a pretty good thriller if you can hold down your criticisms long enough for the disasters to start unfolding, with some of the better effects I've seen in a while. Also, the ending was weird and awesome.
Rated 30 Mar 2009
4
33rd
Not as awful as I expected.
Rated 07 Apr 2009
70
68th
A movie far better than it has any right to be. Consider the parts: Alex Proyas, who has made only one good movie; Nicolas Cage, whose career has been in the shitter for nigh on a decade; and a plot that on paper is only marginally above The Da Vinci Code. Yet the whole is much greater: all is brought together with skill by Proyas, in a mostly thoughtful and thrilling package that does not deserve the hatred piled upon it.
Rated 07 Apr 2009
30
3rd
Perhaps the worst movie I've seen in a decade. The first 2/3rds showed a vague touch of promise, but in the last third the plot, the characterizations, and the storyline fell apart while stupidity ran rampant. Avoid at all cost. Cage was fine, but he wasn't able to overcome what went wrong because no one could have.
Rated 07 Apr 2009
90
40th
What an incredible idea, and very interesting story. The special effects were out of this world. Although I liked it very much, there may be some folks in church who may have a problem with the movie. You decide for youserlf!!
Rated 13 Apr 2009
65
24th
Interesting premise but unfortunately ruined by a indecisive and silly ending. Could have been more interesting and more complex, I think Cage is at home with the more grounded yet fanciful national treasure.
Rated 13 Apr 2009
72
63rd
Not as good as I expected it to be, but sure not bad either. Actually a pretty good movie. Mysterious, action, some thinking, a good story( which could have been brought better, true) good acting(but also some pretty bad moments), ... Very unpredictable, that's for sure. And not really moments of which you think they should hurry up. A film worth seeing for sure.
Rated 22 Apr 2009
50
12th
Easily the worst movie of Proyas.. I had so much hope for this move, but (spoilers) winged aliens? Come on..
Rated 26 Apr 2009
78
59th
I liked it more then I expected. Religious overtones aside, its mostly a sci-fi disaster flick. And no, they aren't angels. Spock said it best, "what does god need with a starship?"....They're aliens.
Rated 28 Apr 2009
90
66th
I unironicaly loved this movie. Flaming Moose = Hillarity.
Rated 07 May 2009
50
26th
There are some quite good bits in Knowing like the sinister pale men and some disaster scenes, but beware of the gaping plot holes and the ending that might induce hyperglycemia because it is so sickly sweet.
Rated 12 May 2009
55
11th
good beginning but one of the worst endings ever! 55 points just because of Cage, how is a very talented actor.
Rated 16 May 2009
40
24th
The bunnies at the end were a nice touch... haha
Rated 30 May 2009
60
58th
You know, average. And for sci-fi average is really pretty good.
Rated 02 Jun 2009
55
22nd
2 Mayis 09, 17:30 salon3, capacity, furkanla, I-6 / I-7 & gorsel efekt ve atmosfer konusunda basarili bir is olsa da hikayeyi belirli bir mantik cercevesinde rayina oturtamiyorsunuz. Sozum sana Proyas, vazgec uzayli sevdandan!
Rated 22 Jun 2009
68
64th
Good. A teacher comes in possession of a letter predicting frightening disasters worldwide. This is the kind of film M. Night Shyamalan would have aspired to if he wasn't such a one hit wonder. The movie falters big time in the end and calls for some major suspension of disbelief throughout. But its a fun ride most of the way. Recommended weekend rental.
Rated 26 Jun 2009
40
21st
Decent looking disasters doesn't make up for the crappy, predictable and incredibly cheesy philosophical plot. Cage is as good as always but the kid actors kept annoying me. I highly recommend "Next" over this.
Rated 27 Jun 2009
25
13th
Regardless of whether or not they were aliens or angels, the ending was shit. A sci-fi disaster film suddenly turns into Noah's Ark?! And that makes an atheist believe in the afterlife?!!!
Rated 02 Jul 2009
65
44th
some great visuals - especially disaster scenes, even though there is bad cgi. but in terms of story - nothing new, except combining all too old and familiar themes in an absurd way, (aliens, prophecies, solar troubles etc.) tries hard but doesn't make any sense throughout, the boring christian moral ending i very sreminiscent of another disastrous ending, that of I am Legend's. beh. makes you certain that dark city was an exception and Proyas is another lame-o.
Rated 05 Jul 2009
60
23rd
I want to rank this lower, but I can't deny that it did entertain me for a while there so I'll be fair. The ending, however, completely destroyed any chance of getting higher. As an agnostic, conspiracy theory and philosophical junkie, I thought it would resonate more with me. Looks like I was wrong. Maybe I'll go jack up my low score for Angels & Demons just a bit now. On the bright side, the musical scor was one of the best I've heard for some time.
Rated 06 Jul 2009
35
23rd
Actors and plot are horrible. Proyas manages to create few good scenes but they don't save the movie from Cage's forehead.
Rated 08 Jul 2009
2
4th
Nicolas Cgae is in another stinker! Go figure.
Rated 09 Jul 2009
65
68th
Interesting concept, decent special fx, poor writing, acting & execution. Entertaining, but forgettable.
Rated 09 Jul 2009
44
30th
the ending sucked!
Rated 12 Jul 2009
64
32nd
Some great visual compositions and directing by Proyas. Cage does fairly well in the role. Fairly heavy religious imagery, but everything is ambiguous enough that viewers can draw several conclusions. Unfortunately, not everything was left ambiguous enough, and the denouement ruins a lot of the roomy ambiguity. Proyas needs more work with better scripts.
Rated 13 Jul 2009
70
34th
This movie had potential until near the end.. WTF happened?? Loved the airplane scene and the sunflare scene.. thaught they were done well.. but stupid stupid ending
Rated 13 Jul 2009
34
13th
The disasters looked good, but the premise, the plot and acting by everyone involved, especially Cage and the children, were pretty horrible.
Rated 14 Jul 2009
64
63rd
Yes, Nicholas cage sucks as an actor, and the chick who plays opposite him in Knowing is pretty horrible, too. Nevertheless, the story is very intriguing and the movie is pretty well-delivered. Ignore the wannabe (agnostic) critics--rent it. You should find yourself entertained for the entire movie.
Rated 15 Jul 2009
72
32nd
There's really nothing particularly bad about it. The acting's decent, pacing is decent the story is mysterious but not over done and it tries to earn its reactions. It just doesn't excel at anything and doesn't do a good job of drawing the audience in enough to actually care.
Rated 18 Jul 2009
68
9th
Dumbfunny.
Rated 19 Jul 2009
65
15th
really, really weird ending.
Rated 20 Jul 2009
72
43rd
I really like the concept of this alternate reality. In spite of the characters being barely more than cliches, there were some creepy moments, and the disasters were adequately horrifying spectacles.
Rated 20 Jul 2009
2
39th
Nowhere near as bad as it seemingly should have been based on the premise and talent. Not really good either, but it provides a few thrilling scenes and a few WTF moments that I'll give it a mild recommendation.
Rated 22 Jul 2009
55
58th
interesting idea, so-so develpment, great (semi) ending, embarrasing (real) ending
Rated 24 Jul 2009
89
58th
Very interesting watch. Could have been much better if someone not as energy draining as Nicholas Cage played.
Rated 24 Jul 2009
70
54th
Cool story. OK Cage movie. Seen him do way worse.
Rated 27 Jul 2009
62
69th
eng; durch eine zeitkapsel findet ein lehrer heraus, dass eine frau hellseherische fähigkeiten hat und den tod von vielen menschen vorhersagte.
Rated 03 Aug 2009
30
28th
Bad acting... not so good plot.
Rated 04 Aug 2009
75
20th
Nicholas cage puts in an OK performance. Some events were extremely unrealistic....although gave the director a chance to show off the CGI effects. The ending had pseudo-religious overtones, which redeemed the movie by and large...
Rated 05 Aug 2009
40
2nd
first three quarters are okay, with some nice tension build ups and some great fx. Then they totally screw it up with a horrible religious ending. True, I should have seen it coming when Cage manages to screw and skew up the determinism vs randomness debate in a couple of minutes, and when his professor friends says his science mind is telling him to walk away and ignore the numbers, but i gave it the benifit of the doubt. Yet, it turned out to be horrible Xian propaganda.

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