I had to see this gem twice to really appreciate all of it. When a widowed father of two interrupts his two sons' sleep with a shocking revelation, they are torn between believing him and not. As the horrifying events of this tale unfold, we learn a lot about the father, about his two sons, and about their destinies. With shocking twist after shocking twist, this film never allows for a lull in the plot. Bill Paxton plays the father, but the most notable performances are that of his older son, Fenton, played by Matthew O'Leary and his younger son, Adam, played by Jeremy Sumpter. This is one of the best thrillers that I have seen in a while, and you will want to watch this a few times to appreciate every intricate aspect of the plot. I give this film a 9/10.

This is a very dark and intriguing horror type thriller based on the idea of religious murders. The storyline centres on a deranged man who lives in Texas, US who suddenly goes on a killing spree with his two young sons after being instructed by God to redeem the world of bad people.

Bill Paxton who directs this movie plays the deranged Father who is known as the Hand of God Killer while Matthew McConaughey plays his finest performances to date as the oldest son, Fenton Meiks. The film revolves around Fenton who decides he can no longer hold the burden of his murderous childhood alone and uses flashbacks to hauntingly tell the story to FBI Agent Wesley Doyle (played by Powers Boothe).

I cannot think of many movies that literally keep the viewer chained to their seat from start to finish and this is definitely one of them. Even if you want to stop watching, you wont be able to because of the sheer power of this movie.

The directors have filmed this movie very well, and they help to set the plot through the good scenery. The acting in this movie is great but if there is any drawback it is that some parts are very powerful and may disturb some people.

Whilst the concept of this film is very dark, the young children help to portray the idea through brilliant acting. This really is a spine tingly movie and it is guaranteed to have you at the edge of your seat throughout. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys horror, disturbing and powerful movies or anyone who just wants to see something different.

8/10

Bill Paxton stars in and directs this highly original film. Having watched the first time I was by how good it was. The reviews I had heard were OK . As a result I was expecting an average thriller at most .However because of Paxtons excellent directing and acting the film is well worth watching , especially if you are a horror film fanatic.The film is also helped by the plot twists which keep coming until the closing credits . The films strongest point is the storyline which I have to say is highly original and is like I have ever seen before. Well done also to the 2 young leads which perfectly convey the emotions if these confused boys. I give this film 9/10 and I highly recommend that everyone catches it.

I first saw the trailer for Frailty on Yahoo Movies way back in the day, after hearing Stephen King praise it to high heaven. Not really a fan of either star, I still wanted to see it because I'm a huge thriller fan.

I was not disappointed. The acting was superb, especially from the two young boys. Usually I loathe child actors, but Young Adam and Young Fenton were excellent. Bill Paxton really did a good job of directing it too. It was beautifully shot.

One must also note the plot twists. The three twists at the end hit hard and fast, and I didn't see them coming. The final twist of the film, coupled with the gravity of what had just been revealed, gives me chills to this day, even though I've re-watched the film so many times.

A true gem.

There is such rubbish on the cable movie channels that I hit a gem with this one. From beginning to end it had me gripped and deserves top marks.

Father of two sons hears messages from "God" to kill people who he is told are 'demons'.

When the opening credits showed the director as one of the cast that can often be a warning of a bad film; exceptionally it is the reverse here as the drama is non-stop from beginning to end.

And there is not one moment in the movie when one is not fully enthralled as there are no unnecessary or needless sub-plots, and the script is first class.

All the actors give wholly convincing performances especially the lead child actor who is exceptional.

This film is at least as good as the likes of 'Silence of the Lambs'.

The film is very complete in what it is, keeping one continuously interested with the flashbacks to childhood and growing up with such a bizarre father, and interspersing it with the tails of serial murder, one simply cannot go wrong. The very plot in itself, the very story and essence of the film, is entertaining. It is the sort of story that the director (Bill Paxton) could do so much with, and in this case, he really did do a lot with it.

From beginning to end you are kept anticipating more and more about what is happening and where the film is going, and the creativity that is behind this story is first class. I felt as if this film was exquisitely done from start to finish, and one of those rare gems that seemed to be without any boring lulls -- the action flowing neatly, quickly, and tightly from one scene to the next.

It demonstrates just how far people can go: so as to do such horrible things to their loved ones, and to do such acts of evil, in the name of 'God' when they are disillusioned as in this case. It also is sometimes interesting in its' twists & takes on the concept of morality as a whole.

Overall, this is the sort of film that one easily overlooks, but I would recommend you to not do likewise and to check this film out -- it is very much so worth your time.

The synopsis for this movie does a great job at explaining what to expect. It's a very good thriller. Well shot. Tough to believe it was Bill Paxton's directorial debut, though some shots do look EXACTLY like a storyboard version.

Still, there are a few shots that really look good and show some real imagination on the part of Paxton.

It's a solid story with some great twists at the end, several of them, all believable, all fun, and best of all, obscured well enough to make them true twists.

The child actors in the movie do a great, too. I'm usually wary of movies with kids in starring roles because all too often they come off as Nickelodeon rejects, but both these kids do a good job.

This movie is not gory. It's not very scary. But it IS very, very creepy.

A very promising directorial debut for Bill Paxton. A very dark thriller/who-really-done-it recommended by Stephen King. This is a strong, well-conceived horror tale about a devout, but demented man in Thurman, Texas that goes on a murdering spree after getting orders from God to eliminate demons trying to control mankind. A couple of plot twists and an eerie finale makes for your moneys worth. Most of the violence you don't really see, but still enough to double up your stomach.

Director Paxton plays the twisted man to be known as the Hand of God Killer. Matthew McConaughey is equally impressive as the demented man's eldest son that ends up telling this story to a Dallas FBI Agent(Powers Boothe). Boothe, as always, is solid and flawless. Suspenseful white knuckler! Highly recommended.

Matthew McConaughey is a mysterious man waiting for Agent Wesley Doyle (Powers Boothe) in his FBI office. He claims to have information about a serial killer chased by FBI. When Agent Doyle arrives in the office, he tells him that the serial killer is indeed his dead brother. Agent Doyle requests some evidence, and the man tells the story of his life, since his childhood. They were a simple family of three: his widow father Meiks (Bill Paxton), his brother and himself. One night, his father gathers the two brothers and tells them that an angel of God had just visited him and assigned his family to destroy demons. What happens next is one of the most scary movie I have ever seen.

I watched this movie four months ago on VHS, and yesterday I watched again, now on DVD. Although being a low-budget movie, the screenplay is sharp, with no flaw. The cast is outstanding, but I would like to highlight the performance of Matt O'Leary as the young Felton. It is a very difficult and complex role to be performed by a young teenager. The direction of Bill Paxton is remarkable. There is no explicit violence in this horror movie. A great debut behind the camera. I regret the Brazilian title of this movie: 'A Mão do Diabo' (The Devil's Hand'). If at least it were 'The God's Hand', it might be acceptable. But calling this movie as 'the devil's hand' is indeed ridiculous. Brent Hanley, the screenwriter, did not deserve such a lack of respect from the Brazilian distributor. This film is highly recommended. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "A Mão do Diabo" ("The Devil's Hand")

This entire review is a SPOILER! This is only for those who've seen Frailty! You've been warned!

I either see Frailty as a genius movie, or a badly botched effort. I know what Hanley, the screenwriter, wanted. If the movie had been made according to his wishes, I would agree with the commentaries on the DVD and agree with the general premise as seen on the surface of the movie. However, as it stands, I do not see it that way at all. And there are subtle and not so subtle clues that Frailty was meant to be something altogether even more subversive than what is seen.

Other reviewers have spotted the anomalies, while others have gotten upset at the thought that Adam and Dad Meiks really were getting orders from God. I admit it... as a Christian, the thought does upset me, but not nearly enough to attack the producers and actors in writing or otherwise. And, I must admit, that Dad and Adam were receiving orders from a god... but which one? The God of the Bible? Or the God of the Earth? Either one could perform miracles... such as hiding Daddy Meiks' kidnappings, fuzzing up the video monitor, lousing up anyone's memory- and leading Daddy and Adam Meiks to think they are seeing demonic acts in the minds of innocent people. The first three quarters of the movie works perfectly, with nothing out of place, except Dad's supposed visions. We at first see Dad Meiks as a madman, a ruthless killer, and maniacal child abuser. When I first watched, I had the gut feeling that this was no tale of human insanity, but this was the Real McCoy- a supernatural thriller with vastly disturbing psychological undertones... and I was right. The clues given in the FBI building let any viewer know that some other power besides human capabilities is at work here. The fuzzing up of Adam's face in the video monitor might have been coincidence, but it's reinforced by the fact that a trained observer also could not remember Adam's face.... plus, there are Adam's visions, revealed in a chilling line up of scenes from the times Daddy Meiks laid his bare hands on the captured 'demons'.

Taken at face value, we are clearly shown that Adam has taken over Dad Meiks' holy mission, and is pursuing it with a flair Daddy Meiks never displayed. We see, on the surface, that Fenton Meiks was a demon, planted by dark powers to bring an end to Dad's righteous mission. And yes, Hanley did want Fenton to be the demon right from the beginning, well before Frailty was made. Colombine reared its tragic head above the horizon of public awareness while Frailty was in production, thus forcing some changes in the way the plot was presented. Adam was shown to be following God's orders, and he was a righteous human being, doing everything any good American should do: fighting evil with all of his cunning and might- and winning! The panning shot, as the camera pulled away from Adam and his lovely wife pounded that fact home, thus arousing the ire of many a Christian across this great land of ours....

But Bill Paxton's commentary opens up a whole new boiling kettle of worms, as does Brian Tyler's great score for the movie. I do think Bill Paxton has put together a different movie than the one that appears on the surface... and he gives clues in his commentary, and there's a great big clue in the story itself. I will get to it soon...

First, how many people did a double-take when Fenton asked Adam to bury him in the rose garden when Adam destroyed him? How many viewers felt as though the plot of a different movie had been pasted on? Matt O'Leary seemed to me to be as disbelieving in that twist as I was... way out of character for the character he had portrayed so excellently all through the movie. Did the kid forget how to act in just that one scene? Did Paxton forget how to direct? Was Fenton really the demon? Please remember that Fenton was the only character in the entire movie to display feelings of kindness and the actions of a thinking, rational, caring human being. Let's go over them, to the best of my memory....

Daddy Meiks, whatever his previous actions towards his kids might have been, became a cold-blooded killing machine. While protesting love for Fenton, he tortured his elder son without remorse or the slightest hint of mercy. Adam as an adult is cold and calculating, the very picture of smug self-righteousness and hatred woven into a finely honed killing machine. Adam, the child, as acted so superbly by Jeremy Sumpter, had all the human feelings of a radish as he bought Daddy Meiks' story without hesitation. Little Adam was ready to kill right from the start, even willing to slaughter his fellow students, with a made up list. Daddy Meiks showed his sanity by stopping little Adam in his tracks... or did he? Adam had the psychological makeup, right from the start, of a fanatic. Was Daddy's mild rebuke going to stop him? I have my doubts...

The old sheriff was shown to be a very disagreeable man, at least from Fenton's point of view. Let's see.... Powers Booth's character, Agent Doyle. He was just as surly as the old sheriff. Maybe he really was a demon, maybe he was just sick of the killings he had to investigate. Whatever the reason, Doyle was not a pleasant man. We only get to see his mother in the photo on Doyle's desk and in the vision of her getting killed by her own son, the very Agent Doyle in charge of investigating the God's Hand murders. The other agent, whose name escapes me, is a butt-kissing toady, showing not an ounce of brains whenever he is on screen. The 'demons' Daddy Meiks captures... whether or not they are truly demons, they are hardly shown in their best light. Who does that leave, in Frailty, who might show humane feelings? Sheriff Adam Meiks' pretty wife, in his office? To tell you the truth, she creeped me out. As pretty as she was, she made me glad I was not in the same state as she was. Happy never to have met her...

So.... we are left with Fenton to see humanity of thought and action.... and he is the demon. Nice little message for those who see this movie. I saw that particular twist coming, but wished it wouldn't. It was the easy way out and Frailty, up until that point, was too well done to deserve being trashed by that garbage pail of a twist. Or was it?

We are shown that Doyle was a demon, who mercilessly slaughtered his beloved mother. He even asks Adam how he knew. Case closed, right?

Wrong. The 'vision' Adam has shows a young Doyle knifing his mother to death.

The photo on Doyle's desk, which the camera pans so lovingly, shows a much older Agent Doyle posing in the photograph. Huh? Was that a production mistake? Could be... but it was shown for so long. It would have been easy to show a young Doyle in that photo, but they did not do so. Was that a clue as to the truth? As another reviewer points out, Adam could be delusional. I have this question: How could an older Doyle be posing with his mom if he was much younger when he killed her? If Fenton was a true demon, why did he not kill his Dad before his Dad killed him? Daddy was trusting enough to sleep with Fenton in the house, Otis was available, or a sharp knife. Fenton was shown to be physically resilient and, despite the power which protected Dad, Fenton was able to kill the man quite handily... Demons were declared to be completely merciless, but Fenton did not kill Adam in his sleep, nor with the axe, as he could have done. He need not have left the axe in Dad's chest, please remember.

Dad killed the old sheriff. Why? Because the angel had said someone would have to die if someone snitched about Dad's holy mission... But who would seek that vengeance? God claims the right of vengeance. Daddy Meiks took it upon himself to wreak vengeance for Fenton revealing the plan. I doubt if God would take kindly to that. It looked far away, but the entrance to the cellar was very close by when Fenton and the old sheriff had their little conversation... which revealed the old man was exasperated beyond endurance with Fenton's 'lies'. Daddy Meiks had to have heard them. He knew God covered his tracks under worse circumstances than this (Kidnapping an old man in broad daylight in a crowded parking lot comes to mind for starters.), but he slaughtered the sheriff anyway. Supposedly, the old man was a friend of his. Is this the actions of a man doing God's work? Like many so-called Christians, Daddy is quite willing to blame Fenton for murdering the sheriff. The DEVIL made me do it!" In other words, Daddy Meiks would not take the blame for his own sins.

There's a little more to think about. Daddy Meiks was told Fenton was a demon... and Dad touches Fenton's bare skin with his bare hands for what seems like a long time. Daddy proclaims his love for his son; saying he loves Fenton and values him more than his own life. He then proceeds to torture Fenton to within an inch of the child's life, in order to prove to the angel Fenton is NOT a demon. Finally, Fenton admits to being wrong and Dad receives him back into the family with full honors... if Fenton will kill the next demon Daddy captures. Since Hanley himself claims demons are remorseless killers, and very cunning, why would Fenton put himself through this? Seems to me he would have agreed from the get-go and slaughtered Daddy, as he did, when Dad's guard was down. Why put himself through such an ordeal?

Maybe Fenton really was the truly moral one? Adam gave Fenton water during the torture... on Daddy's orders. I strongly feel that Adam would have given Fenton nothing if his father said not to. Adam saves Fenton from Daddy's axe, after the old sheriff is murdered. Was this not noble? Think about it... Why kill the fall-guy?

Paxton's commentary, at the end of Frailty, was very interesting... We are shown Adam's wife, and she is pregnant. Paxton says, "See? There's another demon..." and waits what seems to me to be a rather long time to correct himself, saying demon hunter instead. Huh? And that long panning shot.... as the camera pulls away. Why, if Adam and his wife are working for God, does the DEMONIC opening music start in? It does not start after the credits begin rolling, but well before it. And Paxton insisted that the opening themes be used. It is NOT godly music, by any stretch of the imagination.

Talk about subversive... Is Adam really a demon? Is he following Satan's orders, thinking that the devil is GOD? Paxton says he sees the movie as Dad's tragedy... he was killed because of Fenton's cunning. With this in mind, the movie plays really differently on a second viewing. However, what if I am right? That Daddy Meiks was sincere cannot be doubted: he really did think he was working for God, and he truly loved Fenton, as misguided as his actions were. And Fenton really was the kindly, humane older brother... this would make it a double tragedy... Dad's and Fenton's. What about Adam? His is the heart and mind and soul of the born psychopath. Watch him as an adult... watch him as a child.

Yes, Daddy Meiks, there really was a demon in your family. Guess who! And wouldn't the right-wing Christian community have LOVED such a message? My rating? If Fenton was the demon- 5 out of 10... If Adam was... 9 out of 10. Take your pick!

This movie made me really quite angry. Technically, it's well done and it has some scenes that will have you at the edge of your seats. But who the hell financed its making? The "United States Christian Serial Killer Association"?? The movie seems to be saying that guys who kill a lot of people, claiming that God told them to do it- are probably right! They know things you and I don't. Hello?? What kind of message is THAT? That the brother showing up at the office of the Powers Boothe character turns out to be the younger brother who naively went along with the lunacy of his father from the beginning was a nice plot twist, but what follows as soon as they reach the notorious rose garden is an insult to the audience. Even if you're a Christian -which I am not- there can't be any justification for the message this movie's ending is sending, what with "Thou shalt not kill" and all...these self-styled demon-killers would roast in hell.

People have different perceptions when they evaluate movies. I will only tell you what I felt when I saw this Close to Masterpiece Motion Picture.

I must Highlist here, that I never wanted this movie to End. Never... I wanted it to be as long as my favorite movies were, Like Lord of the Rings - extended versions, Into the Wild, Dances with Wolves etc. But, it was not the case here.... Though the movie was short (with perspective to my wants) It still delivers what was needed from it in short span of time. But again this is what I believe. Anyways, I'll plot the outline like this....

A widowed father of two interrupts his two sons' sleep with a shocking revelation, which is hard to believe and they are torn apart of whether believing it or not......... As the horrifying events of this tale unfold, we learn a lot about the father, about his two sons, and about their destinies. So goes the story forward...

I watched it twice and I must say it was something I would like to watch again and again.

I really appreciate all the efforts of the Director put forward to make this Precious Art which doesn't come often. Really, it is hard to find such movies...

Anyways, If You haven't seen this movie, I really recommend you to go and see it,

I give it 9/10

!!! Total Spoilers!!! Read for your own good!!! This review contains spoilers, and I sure as hell hope I will spoil things for anyone out there who is even contemplating viewing this piece of garbage! I have to say I was preparing to praise this movie and to give it a very high rating - until the last 10 minutes or so when the sheer nonsense the plot is based upon was finally revealed! In fact, I feel utterly insulted by how stupid the makers of this movie and particularly the one(s) who wrote the story/script expect the viewers to be! So, although I was never planning on writing reviews on IMDb, my fury at the hidden agenda this movie seems to have as well as at the fact that I will never be able to regain the one and a half hours of my life that have gone to waste simply compel me to compose this review as a warning to those who value their intelligence too much to be subjected to what I have gone through.

Now, at first, during over 80 minutes, the story seems to be about a man who enters the FBI headquarters claiming to be called "Fenton Meiks". Now at the time, the FBI are looking for a serial killer nicknamed "God's Hands", and "Fenton" says it is his brother Adam Meiks who is responsible for all those murders. "Fenton" relates his life story to Wesley Doyle, the agent in charge, and explains how his dad started claiming he had been repeatedly visited by "angels" and given a task to fulfill. The task mentioned involved killing certain people, who were in fact not people but "demons". What happened every time a person/"demon" was executed was that the father brought the victim to their home, put his hand on that victim and was able to "visualize" all their wrongdoings and feel justified in killing them, having previously obtained their names as part of a list given by the almighty. Adam was able to "see" the "sins" of each of those executed but not Fenton, who kept saying his father was crazy and a murderer and tried to stop him. Also, the father and Adam both believed that "god" would make them invisible when carrying out the abductions and would keep their murders/killings unpunished, because they were in fact killing "demons". Does it seem to you readers that it's a movie about how far religious fanaticism can lead a person and that there will be be a plot-twist at the end? Well, the so-called twist, which I saw coming from a mile away, is that the "Fenton" who is present at the FBI headquarters decides to take agent Doyle to the burial site, where all "God's Hands" 's victims are found in shallow graves, revealing himself to be in fact Adam, who then (READ IN AWE) puts his hand on the FBI agent, discovering the man had killed his own mother and was rightfully on his list of targets as specified by god (!!!) and murders the agent, who is actually a demon! To make matters worse, the camera that recorded the real Adam's presence at the FBI headquarters gets a blurred picture when he makes his entrance (!!!) and so Adam cannot be recognized as the "Fenton" who had been there! So, he gets away with it because he has in fact killed the real Fenton and planted all the evidence there to frame him and get himself off the hook.

So, to clarify the main concept of the movie: Adam and his dad have truly been chosen by god to kill people who are not in fact people but DEMONS! They ARE given the ability to touch a person and see their sins and ARE in fact protected and made invisible yet again (you've guessed!)by god! Fenton, who tried to stop the murders and, in doing so, killed his own father was also a demon, just like agent Doyle. So the message this movie delivers is: there are people out there who get messages and protection from god, and have the right to kill others who they consider to be demons! And who are we, the rest of humanity, to stand in their way and attempt to put a stop to their glorious holy crusade! I am positive that all the nut-cases who have killed others after heeding "god's call" will be delighted to find out they were right all along!

I would give this movie the 1 point/10 points it deserves, but since IMDb are known not to count any votes of 10 and 1, I'm giving it a 2. In truth, giving a film a 0 rating should be made possible. In doubt? Fine. If you have any common sense, watch Frailty - seeing is believing, isn't it?;)

I watched this on a rental-DVD not really expecting too much from it. But it surprised me a bit, and i felt it was a rather fresh take on the tired serial killer/horror-genre.

There is a serial killer on the loose, calling himself "Gods hands". One day a man steps into an FBI-agents office claiming that the killer might be his brother. The rest of the film is then told in flashbacks as the man tells of his and his brothers upbringing with a strictly religious and disturbed father.

This film is directed by actor-legend Bill Paxton, and also stars Paxton as the disturbed father. And i must say i think he does a good job both directing and acting here. Most of the cast perform well, not least the young boys portraying the brothers in the flashbacks. Also, Matthew McConaughey performs well as one of the grown-up boys.

What i think raises this film a little over the usual breed of clichéd horror films are a couple things. First of all the plot twists here (without saying too much) actually surprised me somewhat. And from what i read in the IMDb forums some people STILL don't get it... Also the ideas feel rather fresh, and the mood in the film is well maintained overall.

So, don't expect a miracle when you watch this, it's not THE horror movie of the year. But it is solidly entertaining a just odd enough to make it stand out. I rate it 6/10.

Stunning. Absolutely stunning. This is a movie about two kids who's father suddenly has a vision. He claims an angel visits him, and tells him that they need to kill "demons". He gets instructions later, and they start rounding up the demons, which are, to the naked eye, ordinary people. They kill these so-called demons with an ax to the head, and chop them up, burying them in the rose-garden. Their father claims he can see their sins when he touches them. The movie continues, with a twist at the end.

The thing that I love about this movie, is that it perfectly captures the frailty of human perception. Is their father completely mad? Or, is he telling the truth? The audience is left to decide. Go make the judgment for yourself, and see the movie. Now.

Frailty suffers somewhat towards the end of the film by confusing the story into a guessing game of which guy is which (McConaughey is a part of this not to spoil anything important), but for the bulk it's worth the time and popcorn. Paxton and his crew have concocted an often original, deep thought inducing picture with more chills than gore, which also works for the feel.

Here, McConaughey starts off in an FBI man's office and tells the story of of him, his brother and his father back in 1979. His father was a good father and loved him and his brother, but one night dad (Paxton) gets visited by the angel of god or other and is commanded to "destroy the demons that possess human beings". He also brings along his two sons to assist him in his tasks of destruction much to the dismay of McConaughey's younger form (played in one of the best recent kid performances by Matt O'Leary).

What is revealed in this movie caused me to think deeper than I should've, or should possibly. This tale is almost in the vein of what happened with Andrea Yates and her drowning her kids- parents will is brought upon the children by the hand of god's command (the tasks once done by Abraham and such is mentioned as well). It is difficult to classify Paxton's dad right away as a nut case cause he is shown to be sane through it, and that adds the intrigue to his character and the nightmarish reality on his kids Adam and Fenton. This is something you don't really see much in movies in general and a quick peek at the least is highly reccomended. It's not a great achievement however it's enveloping style is undeniable. A-

It's true that there are more than enough thrillers about serial murder - and so it's always great when a film comes along and plays with this premise - and Frailty does that brilliantly! Bill Paxton is obviously best known for his acting work (which includes film-stealing performances in films like Aliens and Near Dark), and here he gets to work both in front of and behind the camera as we get a typical Paxton-style show stealing performance, and he directs also. Obviously, this isn't a film that will break any boundaries; but Paxton takes his plot and spins an entertaining and exciting thrill-ride around it. The film opens with a man named Fenton Meiks arriving at a police station. He tells the agent in charge of the 'Gods Hand' case that he knows the identity of the killer that has been terrorising the local community. The film then moves into flashbacks, as we find out that the man's father received a vision from God, in which he was told to destroy demons. The film focuses on the father's two young boys; one of whom believes his father's visions, and one that doesn't...

If you were to properly analyse the film's message, you would no doubt come to the conclusion that there are many holes and ideas that don't really make a lot of sense. But this isn't important, as Frailty does everything that you could ask of it. The religion theme is well done, and the film provides an interesting perspective where God is concerned. The acting is excellent, with Bill Paxton in a somewhat dumbed down, but no less intriguing role than usual. The support cast includes Matthew McConaughey and Powers Boothe, both of whom are well used. The real acting comes from child actors Matt O'Leary and Jeremy Sumpter; who both manage to star in the film without becoming annoying. The film has many themes outside of the central religious one, the most frightening of which is the corruption of youth. Paxton does a really good job of blending the boys' childhood story with some quite gruesome horror, and while the film does have some failings where some of the central ideas are concerned, it's not too important as Frailty is a well worked thriller that does what it says on the tin!

In rural Texas, a man contacts an FBI agent claiming to know the identity of the "God's Hand" killer, an unknown serial murderer who claimed victims beginning in 1979, and has recently had a second insurgence. He recounts his disturbed childhood, detailing his father's belief that he, himself, and his brother were chosen by God to eradicate the "demons" on earth.

This neo-Biblical thriller features Bill Paxton as director and actor, and garnered a great deal of critical attention in 2001, especially after being lauded by Stephen King. As Paxton's directorial debut, "Frailty" is impressive. It is an unabashedly dark film, rife with theological substance and mythological backing that we are initially made to question as human psychology gone awry— is dad just a madman with an axe, or is God really speaking to him? What does it have to do with faith at all? Because of this, the film has the potential to be a bit divisive— especially with its unquestionable conclusion— but taken as spiritual creed or contemporary myth, the film is enjoyable all the same.

Phenomenal performances from then-child actors Matt O'Leary and Jeremy Sumpter really boost the film, as both of them play the childhood brothers who are detrimental to the unfolding narrative. The bulk of the film rests on their shoulders, with Matthew McConaughey providing the narrative frame, and Powers Boothe as the disbelieving FBI agent.

As I mentioned before, the conclusion of the film is a divisive one, but no matter what your theological standpoint, "Frailty" is an eloquent and well-photographed thriller that meshes Biblical overtones with the contemporary serial killer film to surprising results. Well-acted, suspenseful, and fascinating on all counts. 8/10.

A true hidden gem in the horror genre, Frailty is a slow burn movie with a strong premise and fantastic acting. It takes a pretty common motive (God made me do it) and shows the darker side of being God's right hand man. The perspective of the movie makes it look like the person who is committing murder, 'in the name of God', look like a total lunatic who is off the walls insane. And at the same time this possible 'hero' is willing to sacrifice his relationship with his son for the man upstairs. Is it worth it? That's just one of the many questions Frailty poses through its dark and tormented story.

Frailty has an overall bittersweet feeling, on one hand the father is supposedly ridding the world of demons, but at the cost of losing his son. But what makes the movie so effective is that it is told from the perspective of the son who doubts his father and has no one to turn to for help....not even God. There is something harrowing about having Frailty being told through the eyes of a helpless child, it's basically brilliant. In doing so it takes away the fall back that most movies fail to mention, adults, they become 'useless' in a sense because they fail to understand or see what truly is happening to the child. This is something that feels painfully real, how many adults would honestly listen to a child that age, saying the things he says and actually believe him over his father? The situation is all too real and all too perfect.

In the end, Frailty really gets you thinking about right and wrong and when if ever, you should take the life of another human being.

I was actually channel-surfing a few weeks ago and happened upon the first few minutes of this film. I have never really been a fan of any of the actors, which would probably explain why I didn't catch "Frailty" when it was still in its first-run. This movie scared the hell out of me, quite simply. In this world of bizarre cults, religious fanatics, weekly Armageddons, etc., it would be easy to imagine a misplaced, misguided, or just plain crazy guy declaring his intention to heed the word of the Lord and start killing "demons." The fact that he dragged his two young sons into this carnage made it all the more sick and twisted - especially the younger boy, whose enthusiasm for his father's "mission" turned my stomach. Only Fenton, the older boy, seemed to have a conscience. However, thanks to a wonderful script and excellent direction, we find out that even this is not exactly the truth. Or is it? The ending of the film, when the viewer discovers that each of the so-called "demons" executed by Mr. Meiks was indeed a murderer, leaves room for doubt about the sanity everyone involved (including the detective with matricidal tendencies). I am almost middle-aged, and have only sat through three movies that left me with the creepy and distinct feeling that I will probably burn in hell just for viewing them. "Rosemary's Baby" is one, followed by "The Seventh Sign," and now "Frailty."

What a fantastic movie! Bill Paxton and Mathew McConaughey are absolutely terrific in this film! A must-see!. Bill Paxton, one of the greatest actors and director of all time (just for Frailty), has made a movie which is still terrifying people, especially me to this day. He should have won an Oscar for his wonderful acting and directing. This is his best role in a film ever! Matthew McConaughey has a liking to work in crappie movies, see Fools Gold and Sahara, but in Frailty he works to the best of his abilities resulting in perfection. Matt O'Leary and Jeremy Sumpter did really well for teenage actors and their performances were engaging and promising. The film doesn't have any boring bits that bore you to death or are slow but instead they are fast-paced and well-packed. The twist at the end will leave some viewers shocked while others will have a hint of the end. Sadly, I was one of those people and that is why it lost a star from me. There are somethings which make the film more mysterious and engaging, like the beheading scenes but they don't actually show it. That is how smart Bill Paxton is. The end is confusing and you will be thinking if it is real or not. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen in my entire life and it will remain in that list forever.

Fenton Meeks (Matthew McConaughey), comes forth to tell the FBI that his brother Adam may be the serial killer who calls himself God's Hands, who the FBI has been searching for. The film uses flashbacks to show Meeks' childhood with a father (Bill Paxton) who believed he was on a mission from God to destroy demons that inhabit human bodies. Fenton saw his dad as evil, while Adam saw him as a hero.

Nearly everyone will love or like this film but the 2 percent retards don't know a thing about fun or movies and they probably like criticizing everything they see or will ever see. The narration by Fenton Meiks (Matthew McConaughey) added more taste to the film and I always love films with narration, simply because the voice of the narrator and his story telling is so, so.......compelling. Everyone should at least watch it once and should definitely prepare for a roller-coaster ride about religion, and right an wrong. 9/10 - Incredible!

This could be the most underrated movie of its genre. I don't remember seeing any advertisements or commercials for this one which could be the reason why it didn't do so well at the box office. However, Frailty is an excellent and a truly original horror movie. I rank it within the top 10 most favorite horror movies on my list.

Movie begins with snapshots of photos and news articles telling us about a killer who calls himself "God's hand". And then a man walks into a police station and tells the chief officer that he knows the killer is his brother. Two of them leave together to go to a location where victims are buried which might help solve the case. During that trip, the man begins telling the story of his brother and we go back in time when the events began. Fenton and Adam are two young brothers living with their strict and religious father who, one day, claims that he has received a divine message from God asking him to kill the demons that appear to be regular human beings. He receives from God a list of names of demons to be destroyed and asks his sons to help him carry out this divine mission.

This is an absolutely horrifying and suspenseful film that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The tension runs high, innocent people (or demons?) get killed and religious experiences are questioned. It has not one but few very intelligent twists at the end. If you like this genre, I highly recommend Frailty for you. I own the DVD and it is one of my all time favorite horror-thrillers.

Bill Paxton, of Aliens, Near Dark, and Terminator fame, surprises me with his debut as director for Frailty. He hits on all cylinders, but there is one implausibility near the end that involves the FBI agent (Powers Booth) which deducts a point from this otherwise chilling and thought provoking thriller. Other than that, this movie was just fine.

Bill Paxton plays Dad. He's never given a first name, but that is not a weakness of the film. It in fact strengthens the film, allowing the viewer to see him as a sort of symbol of some kind. He has a vision one day which he says was sent from god telling him that the world is coming to an end and both he and his two sons Fenton Meiks(Matt OLeary) and Adam Meiks (Jeremy Sumpter) must fine the demons and kill them. The demons look like normal people which they kill, and this makes the viewer wonder if Dad has just lost his mind, or is he really doing god's work. There are scenes that reflect both points which adds to the confusion and gives the film more suspense.

The story is told in flashback by one of the sons who is now grown up (Matthew McConaughey) and is speaking with FBI agent Wesley Doyle (Powers Booth) who is very skeptical and rightfully so. After all it's not everyday that someone comes in to your office to tell you that he knows who the killer is.

The film has many twists, and Bill Paxton directs splendidly by keeping us guessing without losing interest. The acting is incredible. The two young leads and Paxton work great together, looking like a normal family even though they are all involved in murder. Like I said there is the one implausibility involving Powers Booth's character, but it really isn't a big thing. This was an extremely well made film involving faith and family.

Making or watching a horror movie about crazy people is not that crazy nowadays - it must be the times, news are probably more unsane than much of the screen or literary fiction. 'Frailty' is the story of a family of serial killers who behave like a low-class American family drawn crazy by the father's religious visions. However unsane and fantastic this seems, we have heard worse in the news already.

The film is worth watching, though I confess it is not exactly my genre, neither my preferred style. Bill Paxton plays the lead role, and he also directs in what seems to be his first major movie. Directing is a little bit HBO style, with a touch of X-Files. I hate story telling in the background, and this movie has a lot of it. Having children involved in the making of such a dark movie is problematic, but well, this is what the story is about... The script is interesting enough to keep interest, it has twists and surprises that compensate the conventional cinema making that dominates the movie. The final message is rather ambiguous, and I am wondering if some viewers may take it as a kind of justification for serial killing on religious basis, though this may not have been at all the intention.

Not bad, overall. 7/10 on my personal scale.