Godsend Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Grieving parents clone their dead son, only to discover that he’s now sharing a body with the ghost of a pyromaniac, because science!

🍿 Godsend: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Tragic Loss

Paul and Jessie Duncan are a happily married couple with an eight-year-old son, Adam. Their idyllic life is shattered when Adam is tragically killed in a car accident shortly after his birthday. The Duncans are left devastated and struggling to cope with their grief.

An Unthinkable Offer

In their time of mourning, the Duncans are approached by Dr. Richard Wells, a geneticist and former professor of Jessie’s. Dr. Wells offers them an extraordinary and controversial opportunity: to clone Adam, bringing him back to life through an experimental and illegal procedure. He presents the idea as a way to alleviate their suffering and restore their family.

A New Adam, A Growing Unease

Torn by ethical considerations and their immense grief, the Duncans eventually agree to the procedure. Jessie gives birth to a healthy baby boy, an exact genetic replica of Adam. For several years, they live in relative peace, raising their ‘new’ Adam. However, as Adam approaches the age at which his predecessor died, strange occurrences begin to unfold. He experiences violent nightmares and his behavior becomes increasingly erratic, causing Paul and Jessie to question the true nature of their miracle.

Visions and a Dark Past

Adam begins experiencing vivid visions of a boy named Zachary, attending a school called Saint Pius. These visions are disturbing and violent, hinting at a dark past. The visions affect Adam’s waking life, making him withdrawn, aggressive, and prone to outbursts. Paul and Jessie grow increasingly concerned about their son’s well-being and the potential consequences of the cloning procedure.

Unraveling the Truth

Paul investigates Adam’s visions, discovering that Zachary was a troubled child who committed horrific acts, including arson and murder. He learns that Zachary’s father was also a geneticist. The pieces begin to fall into place, leading Paul to a shocking realization about Dr. Wells and his true motives.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Richard Wells (Robert De Niro): An enigmatic geneticist who offers the Duncans a chance to clone their deceased son, harboring a hidden agenda related to his own son.
• Paul Duncan (Greg Kinnear): A biology teacher and grieving father who grapples with the ethical implications of cloning his son and the consequences that follow.
• Jessie Duncan (Rebecca Romijn): A photographer and grieving mother who is initially more receptive to the idea of cloning her son, struggling with the changes in the cloned Adam.
• Adam Duncan (Cameron Bright): The cloned son who, after reaching the age of his original death, begins to exhibit disturbing behavior and visions linked to a past tragedy.
• Zachary Clark (Devon Bostick): Richard Wells’ deceased son whose DNA was mixed with Adam’s, leading to a shared consciousness and violent tendencies.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Adam Duncan: “Dad, did I die?” – Adam asks his father this question, reflecting his confusion about his existence after being cloned.
• Richard Wells: “If I’m not supposed to do it, then how come I can?” – Wells’ rationalization for his unethical experiments captures his hubris and disregard for moral boundaries.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $14,379,751
• Worldwide Gross: $30,120,671

💥 Godsend Reviews

Personal Review

I was so excited to see Robert De Niro in a horror movie, but Godsend was a huge letdown. The premise of cloning a child is intriguing, but the film quickly turns into a generic ‘evil kid’ story. The scares are predictable, the ending is unsatisfying, and the whole thing just feels like a waste of potential. It made me really wish I had picked another movie that night.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers with a supernatural twist”
  • “Viewers interested in the ethical dilemmas surrounding cloning”
  • “Fans of Robert De Niro, though aware this isn’t his best work”
  • “Those who enjoy suspenseful movies with ambiguous endings”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and disturbing images”
  • “Thematic elements related to grief and loss”
  • “Brief language and suggestive content”
  • “Intense scenes that may be frightening for younger viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a solid cast and promising premise, Godsend quickly devolves into a predictable and uninspired horror flick, offering little in the way of genuine thrills or thought-provoking commentary.
• AllMovie: “Godsend takes a serious subject and turns it into a routine thriller with predictable scares. While the cast does its best, the weak script and uninspired direction ultimately lead to a disappointing experience. A wasted opportunity.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Robert De Niro sleepwalks through another paycheck role in a movie that’s neither scary nor smart. Greg Kinnear and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos try, but the story is too absurd to overcome. Skip this one.

Audience Reactions

The initial premise of cloning offered some interesting ethical questions.: Many viewers appreciated the initial setup and the potential for a thought-provoking exploration of cloning.

Robert De Niro’s presence initially drew viewers in, expecting a strong performance.: Although disappointed, some viewers were drawn in due to Robert De Niro’s casting.

Overall Consensus: Godsend is a poorly executed thriller that fails to deliver on its promising premise, resulting in a predictable and ultimately disappointing experience for most viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Robert De Niro initially agreed to a cameo role but increased his involvement after director Nick Hamm persuaded him.”
• “The film explores themes of grief, morality, and the potential consequences of tampering with nature through cloning.”
• “The DVD release includes four alternate endings, suggesting the filmmakers struggled to find a satisfying conclusion to the story.”

🖥️ How to Watch Godsend?

Godsend is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable or satellite services. Unfortunately, as of this writing, it’s not available on subscription-based streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Godsend, you might like these similar films:

• The Boys from Brazil (1978): Explores the dark side of cloning and genetic manipulation, focusing on creating a group of children with a specific genetic makeup for nefarious purposes.
• Orphan (2009): Deals with the theme of a family adopting a child who turns out to have a disturbing and dangerous past, leading to suspense and horror.
• The Sixth Day (2000): Features cloning as a central plot element, raising ethical questions and exploring the potential for misuse of the technology.

🛒 Godsend Related Products

• The Sixth Sense [Blu-ray]: A classic psychological thriller with a child who sees dead people, ‘The Sixth Sense’ offers a more compelling and genuinely frightening experience than ‘Godsend’. Relive the iconic twist ending and explore the themes of loss and acceptance.
• Omen (The Omen Collection) [Blu-ray]: Experience the original ‘evil kid’ horror with the Omen Collection. This classic series follows the terrifying story of Damien, a child prophesied to bring about the end times. Prepare for suspenseful scares and chilling twists.
• The Boys from Brazil [Blu-ray]: This thriller tackles the dark implications of cloning, featuring a chilling plot about cloned children with sinister destinies. Experience a classic exploration of genetic manipulation and its potential consequences.
• Cloning T-Shirt: This Cloning T-Shirt is perfect for anyone interested in science, genetics, or just wants to make a statement. With a unique and eye-catching design, this shirt is sure to be a conversation starter.

🎧 Soundtrack

Godsend features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Predictable” – performed by Norman Jones

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Cameron Bright – Godsend Scenes Part 1

Want to see Cameron Bright’s best moments from ‘Godsend’? This compilation showcases his standout scenes, giving you a glimpse into his performance and the movie’s suspenseful atmosphere. You will be interested!

✨ Rate