Knowing

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Knowing

PG-13

2009

1h 55m

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

35%

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179 Reviews

42%

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250,000+ Ratings

Fifty years after it was buried in a time capsule, a schoolgirl's cryptic document falls into the hands of Caleb Koestler, the son of professor John Koestler (Nicolas Cage). John figures out that the encoded message accurately lists every major disaster from the past five decades, and predicts three future calamities -- one a global cataclysm. When his warnings fall on deaf ears, John enlists the help of the prophetic author's daughter and granddaughter to try to avert the ultimate disaster.

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Critics Consensus

Knowing has some interesting ideas and a couple good scenes, but it's weighted down by its absurd plot and over-seriousness.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 12, 2017

F

... I was dozing off...

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Jordan Hoffman

UGO

Aug 14, 2009

B

Knowing feels like a bunch of cool ideas that were strewn about a table, picked up, shoved together, tied up with duct tape and, somehow, managed to stay working for the ride.

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Apr 3, 2009

2/5

Rather like watching an intricately arranged set of dominos starting to topple. That's neat. I didn't see that one coming, you think, as yet another train carriage joins the pile-up.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Dec 2, 2023

3.5/4

The result should not be dismissed as an average thriller, and yet, seen in those terms, it still succeeds because Proyas is a superior director, and after several missteps, he has finally redeemed himself with another fine piece of science fiction.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 29, 2020

6/10

The plot is hinged around a predicament so overwhelming that its conclusion can't possibly resolve satisfactorily.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 13, 2020

2.5/4.0

Nicolas Cage being Nicolas Cage in a film that requires Cage to be Cage.

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Taylor M

@RT65451471 Sep 19, 2026

Thrilling and a bit riveting but still lacking a little bit. just kind of felt like some parts were a bit cheesy!

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Soufiane N

@RT07259457 Aug 2, 2026

What a weird ending , alliens? Seriously?

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Par H

@Parhwy Aug 1, 2026

My Rating: 42.41 Out of 71.20 (If You Know, You Knowing) = = = = = Knowing (2009) is a 121-minute-long US apocalypse/drama I own via my Samsung account which I saw in July 2026. This is the second film I have seen this week which stars Rose Byrne (Insidious). I like the ethos of this film: I am inclined to enjoy apocalyptic films, it aligns with a part of my world view. Koestlers lonely alcoholism combined with his compulsion and knowledge resonates with me. The 1959 teacher actor and 2009 teacher actor are well cast for looks, posture and demeanour. Interesting touchpoint: the scene where the plane crashes, that piece of highway is about 500 metres from where I grew up in Geelong, Australia. Rewatch? Yes. Recommend? Yes. 6/10.

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Shinichi O

@RT25695024 Jul 25, 2026

It's not bad as many say. I quite enjoyed it.

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David P

@RT44835070 Jun 5, 2026

A secret gem that Nic Cage pulls off. I have watched it once and thought it over, what would you do if loss is inevitable. The movie is a crafty twist of the paranormal meets end of times story. I have since watched it over 10 times and enjoy the story, "knowing" the end. 3/5 KAPT’N’DAVE

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Evan B

@TREVOR47 Mar 31, 2026

Seriously, people hate this. People never give films time or appreciate the little things. People just want slasher and kiss scenes all the time. Me personally think its one of the best films ever. The mystery at the start to the problem solving then to the survival at the end. And the representation of human beings in this film is spot on.

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Alex Proyas

Director

Nicolas Cage

John

Rose Byrne

Diana

Chandler Canterbury

Caleb

Lara Robinson

Abby

Ben Mendelsohn

Phil

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Synopsis

Fifty years after it was buried in a time capsule, a schoolgirl's cryptic document falls into the hands of Caleb Koestler, the son of professor John Koestler (Nicolas Cage). John figures out that the encoded message accurately lists every major disaster from the past five decades, and predicts three future calamities -- one a global cataclysm. When his warnings fall on deaf ears, John enlists the help of the prophetic author's daughter and granddaughter to try to avert the ultimate disaster.

Director: Alex Proyas
Producer: Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch
Screenwriter: Alex Proyas, Stuart Hazeldine, Ryne Douglas Pearson, Juliet Snowden, Stiles White
Distributor: Summit Entertainment
Production Co: Escape Artists, Summit Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Disaster Sequences|Brief Strong Language|Disturbing Images)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 20, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 31, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $79.9M
Runtime: 1h 55m

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