

A History of Violence
Tom Stall had the perfect life...until he became a hero.
An average family is thrust into the spotlight after the father commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner.
TMDB
7.2/10
3,919 votes
IMDb
Not rated yet
View on IMDb
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $32M
- Box office
- $61.5M
- Language
- English
- small town
- hero
- robbery
- indiana, usa
- distrust
- philadelphia, pennsylvania
- dual identity
- double life
- fight
- identity
- self-defense
- marriage
Top billed cast
















Behind the camera
Director
Writers
Music
Produced in
Germany, United States of America
Where to watch
All optionsAvailability for India. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.
Rent
Gallery












Videos
Release dates
IndiaIN
- TheatricalA(cut)9 Mar 2006
United StatesUS
- Theatrical (limited)R23 Sept 2005
- TheatricalR30 Sept 2005
- PhysicalRDVD & VHS14 Mar 2006
- PhysicalRBlu-ray10 Feb 2009
United KingdomGB
- Theatrical1830 Sept 2005
- Physical18DVD20 Mar 2006
- Physical18Blu-ray2 Mar 2009
- Physical18The Criterion Collection 4k Ultra HD Blu-ray27 Oct 2025
United Arab EmiratesAE
- PhysicalBlu-ray10 Jan 2009
AustraliaAU
- TheatricalMA 15+Originally rated R18+23 Feb 2006
CanadaCA
- PremiereToronto International Film Festival10 Sept 2005
- Theatrical18A7 Oct 2005
ArgentinaAR
- Premiere+16Buenos Aires15 Nov 2005
- Theatrical+1617 Nov 2005
AustriaAT
- Theatrical1614 Oct 2005
BelgiumBE
- Theatrical2 Nov 2005
BrazilBR
- Theatrical1815 Nov 2005
BulgariaBG
- PremiereCinemania Film Festival5 Nov 2005
- Theatrical11 Nov 2005
CzechiaCZ
- Theatrical15+10 Nov 2005
Frequently asked questions
A History of Violence was released on 23 September 2005.
Audience reviews
4- G7/10
Gimly
9/7/2018
Probably Cronenberg's most mundane work, but that's not even remotely a knock against _A History of Violence_. I hear tell that fans of the comic don't much like this big screen re-telling, but I've never read it, so I'm gonna go ahead and really enjoy it anyway. _Final rating:★★★½ - I really liked it. Would strongly recommend you give it your time._
- C7/10
CinemaSerf
3/9/2024
We start with images of two rather brutal hoodlums who have robbed and massacred the staff at a roadside motel and then sort of follow them into a town where "Tom" (Viggo Mortensen) runs the diner. They stop by one afternoon, intent on causing a bit of mayhem, only to discover that their host is a bit more capable of defending himself than they'd anticipated. Quickly "Tom" is lauded as an hero, and wife "Edie" (Maria…
- W7/10
Wuchak
11/3/2025
**_When a peaceable family man is backed against a wall_** Shot in the late summer/early fall of 2004, this was described by director Cronenberg as “a meditation on the human body and its relationship to violence.” It comes in the tradition of “Straw Dogs,” addressing the same issues as “Billy Jack”; namely, absolute pacifism vs limited pacifism. The former never resorts to violence, even in the face of great evil…
- D8/10
Dr Nostromo
7/5/2026
80/100 After protecting his customers by killing a couple of serial killers, the owner of a small town café is proclaimed a hero. This attracts a gangster who swears the man is a former associate and killer. Moving along at a slow and steady pace, the film does an excellent job of keeping you questioning whether he is a former assassin or simply the wrong guy. The relationships are honest, personal, and painful an…
Member reviews
Sign in to rate and review. Browsing stays free and open.
Sign inMember comments
0Sign in to post a comment. Browsing stays free and open.
Sign in











