A simple button press could net you one million dollars, but at what cost?
In short: In Richard Kelly's 2009 thriller, a couple receives a mysterious box. If they press the button, they gain a fortune, but a stranger dies. This moral experiment, rooted in a 1970 short story, spirals into a complex conspiracy involving NASA, otherworldly portals, and the potential extinction of the human race.
The Box, directed by Richard Kelly and starring Cameron Diaz and James Marsden, expands significantly on Richard Matheson's 1970 short story, Button, Button. While the original premise remains—a couple is offered one million dollars to press a button that kills a stranger—Kelly injects layers of 1970s conspiracy theory, NASA-related intrigue, and extraterrestrial intervention. The narrative follows Norma and Arthur Lewis, who are tested by Arlington Steward, a man disfigured by a lightning strike and controlled by mysterious, otherworldly employers.
These employers use the boxes as a mechanism to evaluate humanity's morality, determining whether the species is worthy of continued existence. The film weaves together disparate elements, including water-based portals, psychological exams, and the personal sacrifices of the protagonists. As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that the test is cyclical, with the couple eventually forced into a final, devastating choice regarding their son's health and their own lives. The film's ambitious, surreal structure reflects Kelly's desire to create a commercial yet artistically subversive work.
Upon its November 6, 2009 release, the film polarized audiences and critics. While some, like Roger Ebert, found the experience intriguing, others criticized its pacing and fractured narrative. Notably, the film received an F grade from CinemaScore audiences, a rare reaction often attributed to its unconventional ending. Despite grossing $32,924,206 worldwide against a $30 million budget, it failed to achieve mainstream success. However, it has since cultivated a dedicated following, cementing its status as a polarizing, defiantly personal project that pushed Kelly further toward the fringes of Hollywood filmmaking.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Box (2009 film)
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