🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Marjane Satrapi
- Genre: Comedy, Crime, Horror, Thriller
- Release year: 2014
- Runtime (length): 1h 43min
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10 (129K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 74%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bubbly guy with talking pets just wants love, but his cat’s a jerk and things get stabby.
🍿 The Voices: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Jerry and His World
Jerry Hickfang is a seemingly cheerful employee at a bathtub factory, striving to maintain a positive outlook despite his quirky demeanor. He attends court-mandated therapy sessions with Dr. Warren to manage his mental health. Jerry’s life is colorful, filled with talking animals – his benevolent dog, Bosco, and his sardonic cat, Mr. Whiskers – who offer him conflicting advice, shaping his perception of reality and influencing his actions.

The Ill-Fated Date with Fiona
Jerry develops a crush on Fiona, an attractive colleague from accounting. He invites her on a date, but she initially brushes him off, leading to a series of events driven by Jerry’s hallucinations and the manipulative influence of Mr. Whiskers. Fiona stands him up, choosing to go to a karaoke night with colleagues instead. This sets in motion a chain of tragic occurrences that fundamentally alter Jerry’s life.

The Accidental Murder
While driving Fiona home after she’s stranded, Jerry hits a deer, triggering a violent hallucination. Following the instructions of his voices, he kills the deer. Terrified, Fiona flees into the woods, where Jerry accidentally kills her in a desperate attempt to reassure her. This pivotal moment marks Jerry’s descent into a horrific world dictated by his fractured psyche and the dark suggestions of Mr. Whiskers.

Dismemberment and Talking Heads
After killing Fiona, Jerry, guided by his voices, dismembers her body and keeps her head in his refrigerator. Fiona’s head, along with Bosco and Mr. Whiskers, continues to communicate with Jerry, further blurring the lines between reality and hallucination. The head of Fiona begins to ask Jerry for a friend in the fridge, urging him to continue his murderous rampage.

Lisa and the Escalating Madness
Jerry begins to develop feelings for Lisa, another colleague, and attempts to form a relationship with her. However, his dark secret is jeopardized when Lisa unexpectedly visits his apartment and discovers the horrifying truth about Fiona. This leads to another accidental death, further entrenching Jerry in his nightmarish reality and escalating his madness.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jerry Hickfang (Ryan Reynolds): A mentally ill bathtub factory worker who hallucinates and struggles to distinguish between reality and his sinister inner voices.
- Mr. Whiskers (Ryan Reynolds): Jerry’s cynical and evil talking cat who encourages him to indulge in his darkest impulses.
- Bosco (Ryan Reynolds): Jerry’s well-meaning talking dog who tries to guide him towards morality and being a ‘good boy’.
- Fiona (Gemma Arterton): Jerry’s initial office crush whose rejection triggers a series of murderous events.
- Lisa (Anna Kendrick): A kind-hearted accountant who takes an interest in Jerry, leading to tragic consequences.
- Dr. Warren (Jacki Weaver): Jerry’s court-appointed psychiatrist who tries to help him manage his mental illness.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Mr. Whiskers: “Just do it, Jerry! You know you want to!” – Mr. Whiskers constantly encourages Jerry to embrace his darker impulses and commit violent acts.
- Bosco: “Jerry, you’re a good boy.” – Bosco serves as Jerry’s conscience, reminding him of his inherent goodness and urging him to do the right thing.
- Jerry: “I just want to be normal.” – Jerry expresses his deep desire to fit in and lead a normal life despite his mental illness and violent tendencies.
- Fiona: “You’re kind of weird, Jerry.” – Fiona vocalizes the general sentiment of those around Jerry, who sense his oddness but are unaware of his dark secrets.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $11 million
- Domestic Gross: $367,718
- Worldwide Gross: $2,097,718
💥 The Voices Reviews
Personal Review
Wow, ‘The Voices’ was a trip! I went in expecting a quirky comedy, but it turned out to be so much more. Ryan Reynolds was incredible – he made me actually care about a serial killer! The talking cat, Mr. Whiskers, was hilarious, even though he was encouraging Jerry to do terrible things. The ending was so bizarre, but I loved it. Definitely a movie that will stick with me.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of dark comedies”
- “Viewers interested in psychological thrillers”
- “Those who appreciate films that explore mental illness”
- “Fans of Ryan Reynolds’ unique acting range”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence”
- “Disturbing imagery”
- “Strong language”
- “Themes of mental illness and suicide”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “A twisted fairy tale about a man struggling with mental illness. Ryan Reynolds delivers a career-best performance, balancing the dark humor and disturbing reality with surprising grace. The film’s unique visual style and unexpected turns make it a memorable, if unsettling, experience.
- Variety: “Marjane Satrapi’s ‘The Voices’ struggles to find its footing between black comedy and psychological thriller. While Ryan Reynolds is compelling, the tonal shifts can be jarring, leaving the audience unsure whether to laugh or recoil. A bold experiment that doesn’t quite succeed.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Ryan Reynolds shines in this darkly comedic thriller. It’s a movie that’s not afraid to take risks, blending genres and pushing boundaries. While the subject matter is disturbing, the film manages to maintain a sense of levity, thanks to Reynolds’ captivating performance.
Audience Reactions
Ryan Reynolds’ performance was amazing and made the movie worthwhile.: Viewers consistently highlight Ryan Reynolds’ acting as a key strength, with many finding his portrayal both funny and disturbing.
The dark humor was surprisingly effective, despite the grim subject matter.: Many viewers appreciate the film’s ability to balance comedy and horror, creating a unique and memorable experience.
Overall Consensus: A dark and twisted comedy with a standout performance from Ryan Reynolds. It’s not for everyone, but those who appreciate its unique blend of genres will find it a memorable experience.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Ryan Reynolds provides the voices for both Mr. Whiskers and Bosco, showcasing his versatility as an actor.”
- “Director Marjane Satrapi, known for her animated film ‘Persepolis,’ brought a unique visual style to ‘The Voices,’ blending bright colors with dark themes.”
- “The film uses a stark contrast between Jerry’s perception of reality and the grim reality of his actions to highlight his mental state.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Voices?
As of [Current Date], “The Voices” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services like Hulu or Netflix. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can be purchased from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, offering an option for collectors and those preferring physical media. Availability may vary by region, so confirm before purchasing or renting.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Voices, you might like these similar films:
- American Psycho (2000): Explores the duality of a man hiding dark homicidal tendencies beneath a facade of normalcy, with darkly comedic elements.
- Fight Club (1999): Deals with themes of mental instability, fractured identity, and the unreliable narrator.
- Heathers (1988): A dark comedy that explores violence and social alienation, with a satirical take on teenage life.
- Mr. Brooks (2007): Another film featuring a man struggling with his homicidal urges and his ‘voice’ that eggs him on.
- Clean, Shaven (1993): A raw and disturbing portrayal of schizophrenia, offering a less stylized and more realistic look at mental illness.
🛒 The Voices Related Products
- Funko Pop! Movies: The Voices – Jerry: A stylized collectible figurine capturing Jerry’s unique and unsettling charm, perfect for fans of the movie.
- The Voices [Blu-ray]: Experience the dark comedy and psychological thrills in high definition with bonus content such as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
- Mr. Whiskers T-Shirt – ‘Trust Me’ Design: A comfy t-shirt featuring Mr. Whiskers with a mischievous grin and the quote ‘Trust Me’, perfect for fans of the talking cat.
- The Voices: Fridge Magnet Set: Decorate your fridge with this set of magnets, including Jerry, Mr. Whiskers, Bosco, and iconic images from the movie.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Voices features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘The Voices’ explores themes of mental illness, isolation, and the blurred lines between reality and delusion through the eyes of a schizophrenic protagonist. It examines how trauma and mental instability can lead to a distorted perception of reality and the tragic consequences that can arise. The film also touches on the search for normalcy and the struggle to maintain control in the face of overwhelming psychological challenges.
No, ‘The Voices’ is not based on a true story. It is a work of fiction written by Michael R. Perry. While the film deals with themes of mental illness and violence, the specific events and characters are entirely fictional.
‘The Voices’ is best described as a dark comedy or a black comedy with elements of horror and psychological thriller. It blends humor with disturbing themes, creating a unique and unsettling viewing experience. The film’s tone can be jarring as it shifts between lighthearted moments and graphic violence, making it a polarizing film for some viewers.
The Voices was primarily filmed at Studio Babelsberg in Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany.
🔥 Bonus Content
Why is Dean Winchester’s voice is so deep?
Ever wonder how voice actors create such iconic and unique voices? This video dives into Dean Winchester’s distinct voice, and honestly, it’s fascinating to hear about the techniques involved. Definitely worth checking out if you’re curious about the magic behind voice acting!
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