5.6
Where can I stream The Box legally?
You can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
The Box
2009·Movie
The Box fingerprint
High energy, immersive world, light on feelings.
Energy
Nerve-racking and scary
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension9
- Scare7
- Adrenaline6
Heart
Melancholic
- Melancholy7
- Pathos6
- Family Dynamics6
Humor
Some dark humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Dark Humor5
- Absurdist Humor4
- Wit & Wordplay3
World
The mind, everyday modern life, and mystery
- World Immersion7
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Rewatchability7
Craft
Standout direction, performances, and characters
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
- Intrigue9
- Direction8
- Acting8
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography7
- Editing7
- Music Composition7
Energy
HighNerve-racking and scary
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
The Box is nerve-racking and scary. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension9Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Scare7Frightening moments and scares.
- Adrenaline6High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Fast Pace5Quick tempo and momentum.
- Violence4Physical conflict and intensity.
Related traits
- Uncanny8Eerie, unsettling strangeness.
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
All heart traits
- Melancholy7Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Pathos6Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Family Dynamics6Relationships and generational ties.
- Catharsis5Emotional release and payoff.
- Romance4Love stories and emotional connections.
- Wonder3Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Hopefulness2Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Nostalgia1Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Coming of Age1Personal growth and self-discovery.
Related traits
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
- Philosophical8Ideas about life and existence.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Spiritual6Faith, meaning, and transcendence.
Humor
LowSome dark humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect some dark humor.
All humor traits
- Dark Humor5Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Absurdist Humor4Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
- Satire & Parody1Sharp critique and playful imitation.
Related traits
- Eccentricity6Oddball tone and quirks.
World
HighThe mind, everyday modern life, and mystery
Its world is built around the mind, everyday modern life, and mystery. It leaves some questions open.
All world traits
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity7Open-endedness and uncertainty.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
Related traits
- Psychological9Inner worlds and mind games.
- Contemporary Realism8Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Mystery8Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Tech & Humanity8Human stories in a tech world.
- Social Commentary7Perspectives on society and norms.
- Surrealism7Dreamlike, bizarre imagery.
Craft
HighStandout direction, performances, and characters
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
The direction, performances, and characters stand out. The plot is layered and rewards full attention.
All craft traits
- Intrigue9Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Direction8Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting8Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Complexity8Layered plots and ideas.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Non-linear Narrative6Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative2Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Philosophical8Ideas about life and existence.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Fast Pace5Quick tempo and momentum.
All style traits
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Visual Stylization7Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality7Sound design as core element.
- Music Centrality6The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Who it's for
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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
You are the experiment.
Norma and Arthur Lewis, a suburban couple with a young child, receive a simple wooden box as a gift, which bears fatal and irrevocable consequences. A mysterious stranger delivers the message that the box promises to bestow upon its owner $1 million with the press of a button. However pressing this button will simultaneously cause the death of another human being somewhere in the world; someone they don't know. With just 24 hours to have the box in their possession, Norma and Arthur find themselves in the cross-hairs of a startling moral dilemma and must face the true nature of their humanity.
Psychological ThrillerMoral DilemmaSupernatural MysteryDystopian ElementsTension & SuspenseTechnological IntriguePhilosophical ThemesBleak Atmosphere
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
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Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about The Box
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Box worth watching?
45
MediocreGoodWatch scoreReviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 46/100 (IMDb 5.6, Rotten Tomatoes 42%, and Metacritic 47). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Box rated?
PG-13ViolenceDisturbing imagery
It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.
How long is The Box?
1 h 55 min
The Box runs 1 h 55 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Box?
Critics45
Audiences43
Yes. Critics average 45 and audiences 43 out of 100, so both groups see The Box much the same way.
Was The Box a box office hit?
Budget$30 million
Box office$33 million
Roughly broke even. It cost about $30 million to make and earned $33 million worldwide, 1.1 times its budget.
What language is The Box in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch The Box?
22
+8
+8GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Box in 22 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does The Box use?
Alien Fair FolkGender FlipFantastic AesopHumanity on TrialAliens Are BastardsKarma HoudiniString TheoryUnconfessed Unemployment"Friends" Rent ControlHere We Go Again!Throwing Off the DisabilityRed Right Handand 17 more
TV Tropes lists 29 storytelling tropes for The Box, including Alien Fair Folk, Gender Flip, Fantastic Aesop.