Take Shelter (2011)
Jeff Nichols's haunting psychological thriller about a man torn between prophetic instinct and the fear of inherited madness.
Take Shelter - Movie Information
- Original Title: Take Shelter
- Release Year: 2011
- Directed by: Jeff Nichols
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Drama, Horror
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 0m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 30, 2011 (United States - R), November 25, 2011 (United Kingdom - 15), March 21, 2012 (Germany - 12), January 4, 2012 (France - 12), January 24, 2012 (Brazil - 12), June 29, 2012 (Italy - T), April 4, 2012 (Spain - 12), April 18, 2013 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: El Refugio (MX), O Abrigo (BR), 寻求庇护 (CN), Atormentado (ES), Укрытие (RU), 테이크 쉘터 (KR)
- Production Companies: Hydraulx, REI Capital, Grove Hill Productions, Strange Matter Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
Take Shelter - Plot
Plagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, a young husband and father questions whether to shelter his family from a coming storm, or from himself.
Take Shelter - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the storm take shape:
Far away from the cruel world.
Where to Watch Take Shelter
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Take Shelter - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jeff Nichols
Main Cast
- Michael Shannon
- Jessica Chastain
- Shea Whigham
- Tova Stewart
- Katy Mixon
- Robert Longstreet
- Ray McKinnon
- Kathy Baker
- LisaGay Hamilton
- Jeffrey Grover
Writers
- Jeff Nichols
Producers
- Sophia Lin
- Tyler Davidson
Take Shelter - FAQs
What does the ending of Take Shelter mean?
The ending of Take Shelter is deliberately ambiguous. When Samantha and Hannah also witness the storm, it suggests Curtis's visions may have been genuine prophecy rather than mental illness. Director Jeff Nichols has said the ending is open to interpretation, inviting viewers to decide whether the apocalypse is real or a shared delusion.
Is Take Shelter based on a true story?
Take Shelter is not based on a true story. Writer-director Jeff Nichols drew on personal anxieties about family, responsibility, and mental illness to craft the screenplay. The film reflects his own fears about providing safety for loved ones, making it emotionally grounded despite being an original fictional narrative.
Where can you stream Take Shelter?
Take Shelter is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It is also available with ads on The Roku Channel. Check JustWatch for the most current streaming availability in your region.
Who are the main actors in Take Shelter?
Take Shelter stars Michael Shannon as Curtis LaForche, a construction worker tormented by apocalyptic visions, and Jessica Chastain as his devoted wife Samantha. The supporting cast includes Shea Whigham, Tova Stewart, Katy Mixon, Robert Longstreet, Ray McKinnon, Kathy Baker, and LisaGay Hamilton.
What is Take Shelter about?
Take Shelter follows Curtis LaForche, an Ohio construction worker who begins experiencing terrifying apocalyptic visions and nightmares. Unsure whether he is receiving genuine warnings or descending into mental illness like his mother, he obsessively expands a storm shelter, straining his marriage and finances while trying to protect his family.
How was Take Shelter received by critics?
Take Shelter received widespread critical acclaim. It holds a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising Michael Shannon's towering performance and Jeff Nichols's taut direction. The film won the FIPRESCI Prize and the Critics' Week Grand Prize at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
What is the age rating for Take Shelter?
Take Shelter is rated R in the United States. The rating reflects intense thematic content, some disturbing sequences, and language. In the United Kingdom it carries a 15 certificate, while several European countries, including Germany, France, and Spain, assigned it a 12 rating.
How long is Take Shelter?
Take Shelter has a runtime of 120 minutes, or two hours. The film's measured pacing is integral to its mounting dread, allowing director Jeff Nichols to build psychological tension gradually as Curtis's visions grow more vivid and his behavior more erratic throughout the story.
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