🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Julien Magnat
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Romance
- Release year: 2011
- Runtime (length): 1h 43min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (28k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 13%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A woman witnesses a crime, bonks her head, and now everyone looks like a stranger, which is inconvenient when a serial killer is trying to find her… again.
🍿 Faces in the Crowd: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Witnessing the Murder
Anna Marchant, an elementary school teacher, lives a seemingly normal life with her boyfriend Bryce. After a night out with friends, she witnesses a brutal murder by a serial killer known as “Tearjerk Jack.” While attempting to flee, Anna is attacked and falls from a bridge, sustaining a severe head injury.

The Onset of Prosopagnosia
Anna wakes up in the hospital to discover she has developed prosopagnosia, a rare neurological disorder rendering her unable to recognize faces. Everyone, including her boyfriend, friends, and even her own reflection, appears different to her each time she sees them. This condition complicates her life immensely, especially as she struggles to identify the serial killer she witnessed.

Hunting the Killer with Face Blindness
Detective Sam Kerrest takes on Anna’s case, trying to help her recall details about the killer. However, her condition makes it impossible to provide a consistent description. The killer, aware of Anna’s condition, begins to exploit her disability, making her life a terrifying game of cat and mouse where anyone could be the enemy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Anna Marchant (Milla Jovovich): An elementary school teacher who develops face-blindness after witnessing a murder and becomes the target of a serial killer.
- Sam Kerrest (Julian McMahon): The police detective investigating the serial killer case who becomes romantically involved with Anna.
- Bryce (Michael Shanks): Anna’s boyfriend whose identity becomes a source of confusion and fear due to Anna’s prosopagnosia.
- Dr. Langenkamp (Marianne Faithfull): The doctor who treats Anna and provides guidance in coping with her face-blindness.
- Francine (Sarah Wayne Callies): Anna’s close friend who offers support as Anna struggles with her condition and the threat of the killer.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dr. Langenkamp: “What’s the first thing you look at in a man after his face?” – Dr. Langenkamp is trying to understand how Anna perceives people after developing face-blindness.
- Anna Marchant: “My friends and I look at his butt.” – Anna responds humorously, revealing her personality and attempts to cope with her condition.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $10,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $8,892
- Worldwide Gross: $93,759
💥 Faces in the Crowd Reviews
Personal Review
I went into this movie expecting a really cool thriller because the idea of face blindness is fascinating. I wanted to see how the killer will attack the girl. It had some cool parts, and I loved the way they showed her seeing different faces all the time, but overall I felt like the movie could have been way better. Also, why make the person who is trying to protect her kill other one? Too predictable. I loved some of the scenes, especially when she was trying to figure out who people were by the way they dressed, but overall, it just didn’t hit the mark. I think it’s worth a watch, though, just to see the face blindness thing in action.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Milla Jovovich”
- “Those interested in psychological thrillers”
- “Viewers fascinated by neurological disorders”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Disturbing images”
- “Brief scenes of sexual assault”
Professional Reviews
- IMDB: “Faces in the Crowd boasts a genuinely intriguing premise of face-blindness with a Milla Jovovich lead, yet it ultimately loses its orientation. The plot becomes a typical thriller with stale acting, predictable scenarios, and unnecessary romantic angles. The movie fails to fully explore the psychological potential of the concept.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “While the core concept of face-blindness after witnessing a crime has potential, Faces in the Crowd devolves into predictable thriller tropes. Despite Milla Jovovich’s efforts, the film lacks genuine suspense and depth, making it a forgettable entry in the serial killer genre. Weak plot, and shallow characters.
- Metacritic: “The film offers a somewhat original idea that is lost in clichés. Jovovich is excellent in the role, but the rest of the cast and the writing let the film down. Faces in the Crowd is not a terrible movie, but it is also not a great one.
Audience Reactions
The concept of face blindness was uniquely portrayed and makes you think about how we recognize people.: Viewers appreciated the attempt to visualize prosopagnosia, making it an intriguing experience for those unfamiliar with the condition.
Milla Jovovich’s performance was noted to be one of the stronger aspects, drawing viewers into her character’s distress.: Many viewers felt Jovovich did a decent job portraying the confusion and fear associated with her character’s condition.
Overall Consensus: Faces in the Crowd is generally considered an interesting concept poorly executed, with a few praising Jovovich’s acting and the unique take on face blindness, but most finding the plot predictable and the thriller elements lacking.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “To visually represent Anna’s prosopagnosia, the filmmakers employed multiple actors to play the same character, emphasizing her inability to consistently recognize faces.”
- “The specialist Anna sees to help her cope with her disease is H. Langenkamp – a reference to Heather Langenkamp, the actress who played the would-be victim of fellow razor-blade killer Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). Also when Anna picks up the newspaper showing a story about another slasher victim, the photo used is of Lisa Wilcox, also from A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 & 5.”
🖥️ How to Watch Faces in the Crowd?
Faces in the Crowd is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand via services like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, where it’s available for rent or purchase. Check local listings for cable VOD options as well. For international viewers, availability may vary, so consult local streaming guides.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Faces in the Crowd, you might like these similar films:
- Jennifer 8 (1992): Features a visually impaired protagonist who is a key witness in a murder case, creating suspense around their ability to identify the killer.
- Blink (1993): A woman regains her sight after an operation but experiences fragmented and distorted vision, leading her to question her perceptions as she becomes embroiled in a murder investigation.
- Julia’s Eyes (2010): A woman slowly losing her eyesight investigates the mysterious death of her twin sister, blurring the lines between what she sees and what’s real, similar to Anna’s distorted perception.
🛒 Faces in the Crowd Related Products
- Prosopagnosia: Exploring Face Blindness: Explore the science behind face blindness with this digital book delving into the research and personal stories behind prosopagnosia. A perfect companion to understand the film’s central concept.
- Milla Jovovich: Action Star Collection: Relive Milla Jovovich’s iconic roles with a digital collection of her best action movies. See her in action as she fights zombies and saves the world.
- Brain Training Games: Enhance your memory and facial recognition skills with a set of fun and challenging brain training games. Improve your cognitive abilities and challenge your friends.
- Faces in the Crowd Movie Poster: Own a piece of the movie with a high-quality print of the ‘Faces in the Crowd’ poster. A striking visual reminder of the film’s intense psychological themes. A must-have for any true fan.
🎧 Soundtrack
Faces in the Crowd 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
Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is a neurological disorder characterized by the inability to recognize faces. People with this condition may have difficulty recognizing familiar faces, even those of close friends and family.
Yes, prosopagnosia is a real neurological condition. It can result from brain injury, stroke, or be present from birth (developmental prosopagnosia).
Faces in the Crowd was filmed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
🔥 Bonus Content
A Face in the Crowd (1957) – “Dark Night of the Soul” scene
Ever wonder how much influence media personalities really have? Check out this intense scene from ‘A Face in the Crowd’ where the main character’s power trip reaches its peak. It’s kinda scary how relevant this still is today!
Interesting Clip from Face in the Crowd
Want a taste of the dark satire in ‘A Face in the Crowd’? This clip perfectly captures the film’s unsettling perspective on fame and media manipulation. You’ll be surprised how cutting it is!
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