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.

Release Year: 2011

Rating: 7.7/10 (12,081 voted)

Critic's Score: 85/100

Director:
Jeff Nichols

Stars: Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain, Shea Whigham

Storyline
Curtis, a father and husband, is starting to experience bad dreams and hallucinations. Assuming mental illness, he seeks medical help and counseling. However, fearing the worst, he starts building an elaborate and expensive storm shelter in their backyard. This storm shelter threatens to tear apart his family, threatens his sanity and his standing in the community, but he builds it to save his family's life.

Cast:

Michael Shannon
–

Curtis

Jessica Chastain
–

Samantha

Tova Stewart
–

Hannah

Shea Whigham
–

Dewart

Katy Mixon
–

Nat

Natasha Randall
–

Cammie

Ron Kennard
–

Russell

Scott Knisley
–

Lewis

Robert Longstreet
–

Jim

Heather Caldwell
–

Special Ed Teacher

Sheila Hullihen
–

Woman in Road

John Kloock
–

Man in Road

Marianna Alacchi
–

Bargain Hunter

Jacque Jovic
–

News Anchor

Bob Maines
–

Walter Jacobs

Details

Official Website:
Official Facebook |
Official site |

Release Date: 10 November 2011

Filming Locations: Elyria, Ohio, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $1,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: $52,041
(USA)
(2 October 2011)
(3 Screens)

Gross: $1,724,558
(USA)
(19 February 2012)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

USA: 120 min

Quotes:

Curtis:
Is anyone seeing this?

User Review

Review for Take Shelter

Rating: 9/10

Fear is the driving force for most of humanity, whether we choose to
admit it or not. We fear financial distress, health problems, losing
the people we love, and even bad weather. Fear grips our ability to
function properly, to mentally process right and wrong, and to keep
hold of the things we cherish most. Fear is the ring-leader in our
circus of life. Take Shelter is an exposition of how fear can rule and
ruin our lives. In this film, Curtis, played by Michael Shannon,
succumbs to his greatest fear of "the storm" that is coming. Curtis
begins dreaming of a horrific storm that not only takes his life but
the lives of those he loves. This storm is almost depicted as an
end-times, natural disaster. Curtis' dream becomes all-consuming for
him as it starts impacting not only his sleep, but his life during the
day. It is the fear of the dream becoming a reality that drives Curtis
over the edge. Because of this, his job, finances, relationships, and
marriage are all affected. This film is so much more than just the
average apocalyptic, fear-fest. Take Shelter also portrays the
commitment and faithfulness of marriage during a time of extreme doubt
and confusion. It is beautifully portrayed how and why Samantha
(Curtis' wife) stays so committed to her husband, even after he has
given her plenty of reasons to leave. In a culture where over 40% of
marriages end in divorce, this film speaks profoundly against that
percentage. It is a refreshing experience to see the storms of marriage
overcome by the vow of commitment. This film could quite possibly stir
up a new statistic…and I think that would do the world some good.