A man confesses to an FBI agent his family's story of how his religious fanatic father's visions lead to a series of murders to destroy supposed 'demons'.
Paxton wins quiet victories here as both star and helmer.
– Michael Wilmington,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jul 2002
fresh:
With an admirably dark first script by Brent Hanley, Paxton, making his directorial feature debut, does strong, measured work.
– Chuck Wilson,
L.A. Weekly,
16 Sep 2002
fresh:
Paxton's first movie as director is better than you might expect. It has a first rate cast, and Bill Butler's camerawork and some deft editing help to crank up the tension.
– Geoff Andrew,
Time Out,
26 Jan 2006
fresh:
A resoundingly old-fashioned and well crafted study of evil infecting an American family, "Frailty" moves from strength to strength on its deceptive narrative course.
– Robert Koehler,
Variety,
21 Nov 2008
rotten:
Paxton steals the show. And O'Leary more than holds his own again here. Too bad it's in a movie that fails to live up to its potential.