The Gift
Performance & Direction: The Gift Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Gift (2000) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Gift features a noteworthy lineup led by Cate Blanchett . Supported by the likes of Giovanni Ribisi and Keanu Reeves , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Gift
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2000, The Gift is a Horror, Drama, Thriller, Mystery film directed by Sam Raimi. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Cate Blanchett.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. Annie Wilson, young widow and mother of three, makes her living foretelling others' futures—though her own has become cloudier than even she can see. Threatened by a client's violent husband and plagued by visions of a missing local woman, Annie finds herself pulled into a thicket of lies and deception in which her extraordinary gift may ultimately get her killed. Director Sam Raimi uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Cate Blanchett's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Ending Explained: The Gift
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Sam Raimi, The Gift concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Cate Blanchett, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Gift reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Gift?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Cate Blanchett or the director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Box Office Collection: The Gift
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $10.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $12.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Gift Budget
The estimated production budget for The Gift is $10.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Gift
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Gift Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeThe Gift Parents Guide & Age Rating
2000 AdvisoryWondering about The Gift age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Gift is 112 minutes (1h 52m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Gift is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2000 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Gift worth watching?
The Gift is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Gift parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Gift identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Gift?
The total duration of The Gift is 112 minutes, which is approximately 1h 52m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Gift
**_Whodunnit Southern Gothic with Cate Blanchett_** In a town near coastal Georgia, a widow (Cate Blanchett) struggles to make ends meet with her three boys via her psychic abilities. When a young woman goes missing (Katie Holmes), the authorities ask her for assistance. Greg Kinnear, Keanu Reeves, Hilary Swank, Giovanni Ribisi, Gary Cole and JK Simmons are all on hand. “The Gift” (2001) meshes plot elements of “Resurrection” (1980) with the setting or tone of “Murder in Coweta County,” “The General’s Daughter” and a little “Cape Fear” (1991). You can’t beat the cast and the Southern town ambiance is great, plus the flawed characters are nicely fleshed-out. There are no less than five possibilities of who the culprit is and, with 20 minutes to go, it becomes clear who it is. Regrettably, it’s just so cliched and contrived I rolled my eyes, not to mention it ‘steals’ the hope of the viewer. I don’t want to say more because I don’t want to give anything away. Still, if you can roll with that banal element, it’s a quality drama with a worthy point. Both Cate and Holmes are fetching in a girl-next-door kind of way. It runs 1 hour, 51 minutes, and was shot in the Savannah area (Guyton, Thunderbolt and Springfield). GRADE: B-/B
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
