The Mothman Prophecies is a creepy thriller that doesn't make as big as an impact as you would expect. Based on true events, the film examines a series of inexplicable occurrences through the eyes - and mind - of one man played by Richard Gere. The plot sounds creepy and the fact that its based on true events sure makes it more engaging. The film looks and sounds scary as well and there are a few scenes that are bound to get underneath your skin. The film is still kind of disappointing as they don't really explain the movie so well and your left with too many unanswered questions. Sometimes its hard to take the movie seriously as there are some scenes that don't make sense or that the scene kind of feels like a joke. Like said before though, the film should still creep underneath your skin. Richard Gere stars and he gives a very good performance. He makes up for starring in that awful film called Autumn in New York. Laura Linney also does a good and these two really keep the film moving. Mark Pellington directs and he does a good job of keeping the film at a nice pace and making the film look creepy. The ending was done decently and it sure makes you think about what happens. The Mothman Prophecies will leave its mark on you and you may have trouble getting it out of your head when its time to go to sleep. The film is almost two hours long so you may start to get bored if you find the film to be stupid. Pretty much if you like the X-Files or The Forgotten then you should enjoy this thriller. The Mothman Prophecies may not be top notch thriller but its still worth checking out and will make a good rental to watch at night. Rating 6.7/10 a sometimes scary thriller that's worth checking out.

Like a handful of other reviewers for this picture, I too felt that it had the flavor of an X-Files story. Considering all the Monster of the Week episodes that show came up with, it's a bit surprising they never tackled the legend of the Mothman. The closest they ever came was a fifth season episode titled 'Detour', in which Mulder considers the creature that he and Scully are tracking may be related to cryptids like the Mothman, a cryptid being an animal whose existence cannot be substantiated. Richard Gere and Laura Linney in a way seem to be acceptable stand-ins for agents Mulder and Scully in this film, although the entity they attempt to investigate seems to be more of a supernatural aspect than an actual animal or person.

The movie creates a surprisingly effective mood of tension and apprehension following the death of John Klein's (Richard Gere) wife Mary (Debra Messing), following an auto accident and a diagnosis of glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer. A most unsettling aspect to the story is how John found himself in the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia while en route to Washington, DC ('Detour'), a destination reached within an impossible time frame given the distance traveled by car. From there on, the mystery deepens,as Klein's association with police chief Connie Mills (Linney) encounters a whole host of supernatural-like events, most notably those involving local resident Gordon Smallwood (Will Patton). Eventually, Klein enlists the help of a discredited scientific investigator (Alan Bates), who's cryptic explanations regarding The Mothman only serves to confuse John even more.

With a premonition of impending disaster, Point Pleasant's Silver Bridge becomes the focal point for what might be the Mothman's fatal warning regarding the town. The scenes of the bridge's structure and cabling giving way to stress fractures is really quite well done, and adds to the horror aspect of the story without resorting to the time honored means of a massive explosion. In an apparently ironic twist to a dream Connie Mills related earlier to Klein, the bridge's collapse resulted in thirty six victims perishing, while she was subconsciously warned with the words, "Wake up, number thirty seven".

The film is simply terrific, fantastic special effects, good plot and a really shocking and surprising ending! This is really a horror film mixed with a thriller that has respected my own perspectives. I suggest it to all the people who liked films like "The sixth sense" and "The others"...It's almost a masterpiece of his genre!