IMDb > The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
The Mothman Prophecies
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Mothman Prophecies (2002) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 29 | slideshow) Videos (see all 6)
The Mothman Prophecies (2002) -- John Klein (Gere), a Washington newspaper reporter leaves his job after his wife (Messing) dies to investigate strange reports, including psychic visions ("Prophecies").
The Mothman Prophecies (2002) -- A reporter is drawn to a small West Virginia town to investigate a series of strange events, including psychic visions and the appearance of bizarre entities.
The Mothman Prophecies (2002) -- A reporter is drawn to a small West Virginia town to investigate a series of strange events, including psychic visions and the appearance of bizarre entities.

Overview

User Rating:
6.5/10   24,994 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
John A. Keel (novel)
Richard Hatem (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Mothman Prophecies on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 January 2002 (USA) more
Tagline:
What do you see? more
Plot:
A reporter is drawn to a small West Virginia town to investigate a series of strange events, including psychic visions and the appearance of bizarre entities. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win more
NewsDesk:
(24 articles)
Firefly Star Encounters Mothman on Syfy
 (From Dread Central. 10 November 2009, 1:49 AM, PST)

Wrestler horror River Of Darkness wraps; exclusive first photos
 (From Fangoria. 26 October 2009, 1:54 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
A cut down modernized Hollywood version of John A. Keel's famous UFO story. more (412 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Richard Gere ... John Klein

David Eigenberg ... Ed Fleischman
Bob Tracey ... Cyrus Bills
Ron Emanuel ... Washington Post Reporter

Debra Messing ... Mary Klein

Tom Stoviak ... Brian
Yvonne Erickson ... Dr. McElroy
Scott Nunnally ... Orderly
Harris Mackenzie ... TV Journalist
Will Patton ... Gordon Smallwood
Lucinda Jenney ... Denise Smallwood

Laura Linney ... Connie Mills

Tom Tully ... Motel Manager
Zachary Mott ... Otto (as Billy Mott)
Ann McDonough ... Lucy Griffin
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Mothman (USA) (working title)
The Mothman (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for terror, some sexuality and language.
Runtime:
119 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
When the bridge starts to collapse, a cable snaps and smashes into C.J.'s windshield. Just before impact, we look through the windshield from C.J.'s perspective, and a red face (presumably Mothman) is clearly visible. You won't see it at full speed. It is necessary to pause your player or go frame-by-frame. more
Goofs:
Errors in geography: John Klein warns Governor Russ McCallum "of Virginia" about the impending disaster at the chemical plant "on the Ohio River". The story takes place in West Virginia and Virginia is not located on the Ohio River. The Extended Version DVD makes the same mistake (assuming that West Virginia is western Virginia) by stating that the movie is "based on true events that shook a small Virginia town" on the case cover. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
John Klein: Jesus!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Adam & Eva (2003) more
Soundtrack:
We Wish You a Merry Christmas more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
47 out of 62 people found the following comment useful.
A cut down modernized Hollywood version of John A. Keel's famous UFO story., 22 August 2002



(**** out of *****)

What a wonderful and rich role for Gere who should maybe experiment more in movies that deal with the realms of the unknown.

A much respected reporter for the Washington Post John Klein (Richard Gere) is about to have his life turned upside down when his wife dies in an automobile accident that seems to have been caused by a mysterious flying creature which he never did see himself. The plot takes Gere to the Ohio/West Virginia border where he meets with the local residents who all seem to be having their troubles with strange lights, weird phone calls and a bird like creature which they call the Mothman. Klein investigates the mystery at the cost of his own sanity and career.

The film is very scary but lacks the pace and fibre that made the John A. Keel's book an awe inspiring read. There are no Men In Black, UFO's, alien impregnated women, phone tapings or a clear resolution to some of the character's fate. In fact only about 10% of the book is actually reproduced in the film. The other 90% seems to have been plucked from an episode of the `X-files'... but what a good episode it is! This is a film that has high production values. The lighting, camerawork, sound and editing are always on top form which is something that prevents the movie from disappearing into the ranks of science fiction B movie hokum. `The Mothman Prophecies' looks simply `weirdly' gorgeous on the big screen.

There is not enough Mothman revealed to the viewer but country folk Gordon Smallwood (the well cast and superbly acted Will Patton) creates a much needed conduit into the effects that the Mothman has on the people of Point Pleasant and this is what the film is really all about - The consequences that the supernatural can have on the psyche of a small backward town's population. Although the ending is Mothman free it certainly does jolt the emotions and evokes a sort of belittling sympathy for the human beings of this planet.

Watch this film and then go read the book for a much better look at really went on. All in all, the film is a spine-chilling riveting stuff and well worth repeated viewing even though it never truly escapes its `X-Files' feeling.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (412 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Scariest Movie Ever? goatman_48
Are Mothman sightings limited to Point Pleasant... tmazolla80
Indrid Cold in this movie.. alongtheway82
mothman in mirror? Tyler666
Wake up #37 marcusmitchell
The board for this movie is the most accepting one on IMDB edlaham
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Donnie Darko The Mist Psycho A History of Violence The Night of the Hunter
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.