Is The Gift Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, The Gift is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies.
It features a runtime of 112 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
The Gift Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2000, The Gift emerges as a significant entry in the Horror, Drama, Thriller, Mystery domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of 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. Unlike standard genre fare, The Gift attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
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?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Gift (2000) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.5/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Gift Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Gift is a Horror, Drama, Thriller, Mystery film that 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 and narrative structure.
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. The film 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. The 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.
The Gift Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: 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, 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 the cast or director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
The Gift Box Office Collection
| 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.
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Full Cast & Crew of The Gift
- Cate Blanchett – Annie Wilson
- Giovanni Ribisi – Buddy Cole
- Keanu Reeves – Donnie Barksdale
- Katie Holmes – Jessica King
- Greg Kinnear – Wayne Collins
Top Highlights
Cate BlanchettAnnie Wilson
Giovanni RibisiBuddy Cole
Keanu ReevesDonnie Barksdale
Katie HolmesJessica King
Greg KinnearWayne Collins
Hilary SwankValerie Barksdale
Michael JeterGerald Weems
Kim DickensLinda
Gary ColeDavid Duncan
Rosemary HarrisAnnie's Granny
Where to Watch The Gift Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
The Gift is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains frightening scenes, intense suspense, mature themes, violence. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.5/10, and global collection metrics, The Gift stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2000 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Gift movie hit or flop?
The Gift has received mixed reviews with a 6.5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Gift worth watching?
The Gift is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Horror, Drama, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Gift online?
The Gift may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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How The Gift Compares & Where it Ranks
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 analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
