Iffy for 13+
Grim sci-fi thriller is too intense for young kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this grim sci-fi thriller is about global catastrophe and disaster, which could be very upsetting for kids. There are scary presences, spooky music, dead parents, and children in danger throughout the movie, and it really stretches the PG-13 rating in terms of depicting horrifying disasters (a monumental plane crash injures and kills scores of people, an out-of-control subway train smashes into a crowded station, etc.). Animals are seen burning as they flee from a massive fire. A main character also drinks to excess on a number of occasions, and there's some language ("s--t," "damn," etc.).
- Families can talk about how the movie creates suspense. Would it be as spooky or scary without the music, close-up shots, or shadows?
- Parents, if the movie's end-of-the-world subject matter upsets your kids, be sure to address their fears.
- And on a lighter note, you can also discuss what you'd put in a time capsule to represent your life.
The good stuff
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Messages: Single parents are shown as loving, concerned, and trustworthy.
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Role models: Wracked by grief after the recent death of a loved one, a leading character abuses alcohol on a nightly basis.
What to watch for
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Violence: Harrowing accidents are shown in great detail. A plane crashes into a crowded freeway, with bodies, fires, and injuries everywhere; a train speeds out-of-control through New York's Subway system, inflicting destruction, death, and injury. Children are often in grave danger -- from accidents, scary strangers lurking, fire, abduction, and many major events over which they have no control. One little girl is shown bloodied and on the brink of madness in an early scene. Burning animals flee from a fire (one is shown in a disturbing close up).
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Sex: Not an issue
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Language: Cursing includes "dammit," "hell," "s--t ," and "oh my God."
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Consumerism: A scene set in a convenience store shows Pepsi and other products. One Sabrett's hot dog stand is prominently seen on an NYC sidewalk.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: An otherwise principled character frequently drinks to excess when depressed.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Knowing by kizomba
After reading some of the other critics reviews, it seems like most of those who uphold a more secular-humanist world view considered this movie "Christian propaganda," while those who are oblivious to these realms of thought thought it boring. Regardless, the movie did posess some Biblical undertones in it, and I'm suprised Nicolas Cage signed up for it. If you're familiar with the Bible, you could have easily drawn parallels to the story's plot. I didn't realize it until towards the end. But all in all, it was a great movie, and thought provoking... well, to those who gave it a little more thought it was, as it was to me. So I would of course recommend it to anyone who would like to give it a shot, either to get something from it, or for simply for entertainment. But, to those of faith, it's a must see.
4
Better than I expected. by Rock_not_Rap
Before I saw this movie my friend told me that the ending was just plan terrible, so I went into this movie expecting that. In my opinion, the ending isn't necessarily "terrible", it was just strange. It made sense, but like many of these end of the world movies, it makes sense in a world where crazy stuff like this can happen. It is a movie that really makes you think and it is also very creepy.
5
Controversial, but very good story. by ObliqueCurve
In my opinion "The Knowing" was a great movie. It had a deep and involved storyline that you really had to pay attention to; and that's what movies are about, right? Not the actors, or the effects, it's the story that holds everything together and "The Knowing" has a great story. There are some very disturbing parts (i.e. people burning alive) and some fairly controversial parts (don't want to spoil it) but only people who really didn't pay attention or had a problem with above stated things would mark this movie bad. And what is so depressing about he movie? The world will end just like you, whomever is reading this, and everyone in the world. If anything you just have to face reality (like which is portrayed in the movie) which also encompasses death, and live your life the way you think it's worth something. So don't ramble about "depressing" unless you think life, in general, is depressing.
5
Awesome all the way through by wormbrains
This movie kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. It was spellbinding and the ending was very well done. I would recommend you see this movie just because the story was so spectacular. Everything in this movie seems believable and there was nothing weird or funny in the script. I would recommend this movie very highly!
5
"Knowing" - Intelligent Film that Makes You Think! by sweetivylyn
I love Nick Cage...I really do! He's always willing to take a chance and give his all in whatever film he's working on at the moment; happily, his acting, and the script for "Knowing", are in sync and ultimately exceed the movie going experience in every way.
Flashback to 50 years prior when a time capsule is buried; Fast forward to 2009 when it's being dug up in honor of the Schools anniversary; Widower Cages son attends the school and receives an envelope containing all sorts of "random" numbers.
Being an MIT professor, Cage is of course curious and attempts to come up with a pattern; of course, he does, but there are so many twists in this film that you think you know what's going to happen next, but then something else pops up!
I can't say anymore without giving everything away...plus, you should enjoy the experience yourself!
Well worth the $$$...
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5
You'll love Knowing by cinemacat
If we're all part of something that is already decided, do any of us really make the choices we make or are we somehow being lead to moments and places in our lives that have already been set up for us to get to? I love movies that make you think in circles like this one does. This movie is like a blend of science fiction and faith, and it's a whole different kind of end-of-days film. The graphics are fantastic, the acting is pretty solid, and the main characters are not the typical cookie cutter Hollywood father and son.
This movie is sort of scary and definitely very suspenseful, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The ending really holds up and makes the film feel complete and sort of refreshing. It's fun and a little scary to think about afterwards. I highly recommend it. It was definitely worth a full theater ticket price.
4
Know This... by behindthecamera
Knowing was an interesting movie. It had a lot of disaster sequences with great special effects, which had a nice "The Day After Tomorrow" feel. It was very compelling throughout. I was sure I was going to give this a Must Go. Then, the last 15 minutes came. Let me tell you; if you read the next page of reviews, you will know the ending if you don't already. I feel that the makers of the movie somehow forgot about the sound and the audience's interest. They really tried to make it so dramatic that they were trying to copy Oscar nominated movies. On a defensive note, I have to point out a few things. One: this is a movie about the Apocolypse. If you wanted a realistic movie, go see Milk. Second: it is not insulting your intelligence because they put aliens in this movie. Third: whoever says that this is some sort of religious message has got to realize that this was made to make money, and wanted to show off great special effects with an equally amusing storyline.
5
A film that makes you think... by mongolikemovies
I don't want to give away anything about this movie. Just go. It is creepy, exciting and not your regular doomsday film. So far I have heard at least two interpretations of this film that weren't the same as mine. That is a good thing. This movie will affect each person differently. Go, watch and enjoy...
2
You Know What by Daydream
1958, a disturbed young girl (Lucinda) in middle school, who seems to suffer from paranoid schizophrenia, scribbles numerical code front and back on a piece of paper set for a time capsule. Fifty years later the time capsule is opened and her code is passed on to Nicolas Cage's son, who appears to hear the same voices Lucinda heard. Cage nonchalantly glances at the numbers and deciphers the code, which turns out to be a documentation of every disaster leading up to the end of the Earth. After this point, the movie takes a turn for the worse. I didnt think the ending fit the story at all - very rushed and tried to hard to combine the themes of the movie (Very similar to the ending of the new Indiana Jones). The beginning set in 1958, was the only well-made part of the movie; everything else is disappointing. Instead of searching out the disasters wouldnt you want to spend as much time with your family as you possibly could? I know I would.. (D+)
5
Believe it. See It. *SPOILERS* by Nayari
This movie is not a 'feel-good' film, not something you would sit down with the whole family to enjoy. But it is powerful. It makes you think very carefully about the world we are in and just how easily and quickly things can end and change. This movie is Armagaddeon from the points of view of those who DON'T know what's going on. And I think that is part of what makes it so powerful. It is a simple enough storyline: a boy getting a piece of paper with the apocalypse on it. But somehow Proyas, (who is a director I trust implicitly), weaves multiple small storylines in and out of the film so well that you don't know whether to feel heartbroken or hopeful at the end. The acting is incredibly strong from everyone including Chandler and Lara! Cage delivers a solid performance, including one of the most powerful breakdowns I've ever seen. The music is so so dramatic and powerful that I was moved to tears more than once. And the aliens/angels? In the end...they made perfect sense.