While watching television today, I noticed a commercial for Richard Kelly's new movie The Box.

I only had to hear the opening line before I immediately thought to myself "That's a Twilight Zone episode!"

The original story is from an episode called Button Button. The premise is that a married couple is given the opportunity to get 1 million dollars. But the only way to earn it is to press a mysterious button. They're told that pressing this button will kill someone that the couple doesn't know. So do they take the money and kill a stranger that they've never met or heard of? Or do they do the right thing but give up 1 million dollars?

I'm really excited to see this in the form of a movie. It's a great little story that's got a ton of potential. I'm just afraid that Richard Kelly could never live up to the details and subtlety of the Twilight Zone. There are so many things hat could go wrong!

Kind of reminds me of the "Tales from the Dark Side" episode titled "Do Not Open This Box".
A strange delivery man appears, and promises the couple anything in exchange for the box... as long as it hasn't been opened.

Of course it ends differently, but it is the Box + Couple + Suggestion = Reward theme.


I have no particular interest in seeing this movie, but I will likely see it later. How long can you really expand on stories like this? They seem rather simplified in TV format.

Oh, I knew that sounded familiar!

I think it has the potential of being pretty bad, actually. The Twilight Zone is all about the morality play. The movie could turn into just a big thriller/ action thing and put the 'morality' part in the background. That would be sad.

I too am quite excited to see how this movie is played out. The thought and question, "Will you press the button for a million dollars" is quite a thrilling one eh? Honestly, not sure what I would do. Many would say "Well I wouldn't!" Would you? Hmm, interesting.

I work at a cinema. Most of our guests haven't really enjoyed the movie. :/