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Poster for The Prodigy

The Prodigy

Seen it?

2005 | 120 min | Action, Drama, Family, Mystery, Thriller

Saturday Specialearly rating

Why it’s a Saturday Special

People are still talking about it and it drew serious awards attention, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Best for fans of cool, efficient anti-heroes and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. Lean and efficient, like its main character.
The mood
Tense.
The pace
Bright and bouncy, at 2 hr.
What might put you off
  • No age rating on record, so check it first for young kids.
  • Skip it if you prefer quiet, talky stories.

"The Prodigy" tells the story of small-time enforcer Truman Fisher's vicious conflict with a sadistic assassin who has chosen the unwilling Truman to be his successor. The assassin, who goes by the alias Rains and whose exploits have become the source of legend among Truman's underworld colleagues, drives Truman, through the pressure of constant violence and grief, to understand his own capacity for both bloodshed and compassion. Ultimately this reveals to Truman that he as with all of us, must find our place in this world or as Rains would say "our place in this grand design." This action begins quickly as Truman meets with a turncoat from a rival gang. This tense showdown erupts quickly into mayhem, when Rains makes his unexpected entrance. In the wake of the ensuing bloodbath, Truman is forced to reevaluate his own role in the small, violent world he inhabits, suddenly aware that there are larger powers at work which he does not understand...

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    60 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsStrong

    21 wins and 28 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactVery strong

    About 1.1 million people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by William Kaufman

  • Holt BoggsTruman
  • Glen VorhisJames/Rains
  • Matt BeckhamPat
  • Diana Lee InosantoAsh
  • Mirelly TaylorNicki
  • Lawrence VarnadoKing
  • Marc HébertRicky
  • Marc JeffreysJT Baker
  • Jay MosesDanny
  • Mark HansonJimmi