Willard

Willard

When the cat's away, the rats will play.

Directed by Glen Morgan

Produced by Hard Eight Pictures, New Line Cinema

2003100 min6.1 / 10

A dark psychological thriller about a lonely, abused man who forms a twisted bond with rats and uses them as instruments of violent revenge against his tormentors.

Desperate for companionship, the repressed Willard befriends a group of rats that inhabit his late father's deteriorating mansion. In these furry creatures, Willard finds temporary refuge from daily abuse at the hands of his bedridden mother and his father's old partner, Frank. Soon it becomes clear that the brood of rodents is ready and willing to exact a vicious, deadly revenge on anyone who dares to bully their sensitive new master.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is Willard sad? Yes, very. More sad than 91% of films.

  • Does Willard end with hope? No. Less hopeful than 91% of films.

  • Is Willard scary? Yes. More frightening than 87% of films.

  • Is Willard violent? Yes. More violent than 83% of films.

  • Is Willard easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 74% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

49/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity85

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise46

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love25

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like Willard, and what each one shares →

Like Willard

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Willard

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Willard, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Willard, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Willard, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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