Take Shelter

2012 • 121 minutes

About this movie

Following his acclaimed debut, Shotgun Stories, writer/director Jeff Nichols reteams with actor Michael Shannon to create a haunting tale that will creep under your skin and expose your darkest fears. Curtis LaForche lives in a small town in Ohio with his wife, Samantha, and daughter, Hannah, a six-year-old deaf girl. When Curtis begins to have terrifying dreams, he keeps the visions to himself, channeling his anxiety into obsessively building a storm shelter in his backyard. His seemingly inexplicable behavior concerns and confounds those closest to him, but the resulting strain on his marriage and tension within his community can't compare with Curtis's privately held fear of what his dreams may truly signify. Take Shelter features fully realized characters crumbling under the weight of real-life problems. Using tone and atmosphere to chilling effect, Nichols crafts a powerful psychological thriller that is a disturbing tale for our times. MPAA Rating: R Rated R for some language.

Ratings and reviews

Before I watched this movie I was hoping for a suspenseful action packed scary movie. Five minutes into the film I was tragically let down... Nothing happened in this movie and it was easily predictable. I honestly would NOT recommend this movie.

I really wanted to like this movie. I appreciated the suspense but the end didn't pay off. Michael Shannon has made a career off of being crazy. I wish for once he would be resolute in his convictions. It is getting old seeing the thin line between insane and prophet in movies. I cannot ever say I have had a moment in my life where I thought I was losing it to the point not knowing what was real or imagined and to those of you who relate to this you need to take your meds and check into a looney bin.

If you were surprised by the ending, you're some kinda idiot. This movie seems like it might take off and be compelling at some point--it's certainly well made and acted--but ultimately this is a forgettable snoozefest.