The Shack

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The Shack

PG-13

2017

2h 12m

Drama

Fantasy

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Popcornmeter

20%

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70 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After suffering a family tragedy, Mack Phillips spirals into a deep depression that causes him to question his innermost beliefs. Facing a crisis of faith, he receives a mysterious letter urging him to an abandoned shack in the Oregon wilderness. Despite his doubts, Mack journeys to the shack and encounters an enigmatic trio of strangers led by a woman named Papa. Through this meeting, Mack finds important truths that will transform his understanding of his tragedy and change his life forever.

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Critics Consensus

The Shack's undeniably worthy message is ill-served by a script that confuses spiritual uplift with melodramatic clichés and heavy-handed sermonizing.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Jun 28, 2017

2/5

Perhaps there are Christians who will appreciate The Shack's Oprahfied universal heaven, wherein no bad deed goes punished. But it made us pine for the Book of Job God to spitefully hurl leviathans and behemoths.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Jun 11, 2017

1/5

Making a sincere film about religious faith is a tricky thing to pull off. And this folksy dose of misguided manipulation demonstrates many of the common pitfalls.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Jun 9, 2017

2/5

Touchy-feely New Age therapy runs headlong into evangelical Christianity in The Shack.

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Oct 30, 2019

3/5

Essentially a parable at its core, like the book, the film challenges traditional Christian viewpoints, notably in the visual interpretation of God.

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Oct 5, 2019

1/5

The Shack is as graceless as its monosyllabic title.

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Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

Dec 20, 2018

3/5

The Shack is far from profound or thought provoking, but it's not as harmful or hurtful to outsiders as most doctrinally centered films tend to be.

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Darcie J

Jan 9, 2022

Every time I watch this movie I pick up more. Very awesome and worth watching multiple times.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 21, 2026

The Shake = a 3.5 star Movie...

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Robert B

@MrZetetic Sep 16, 2026

Excellent film, a real thought provoker.

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Thomas D

@Solearch Aug 8, 2026

Wonderful written, brought a lot of emotions outta me... the loss of a child is hard. Going through the pain, anger and healing of this father was moving. This movie hit the spot between "hallmark special" and a great drama flick.

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Horror fan 4

@Horrorfan4life Jul 18, 2026

Had I watched this back in 2017 it would've been in my top 10 for sure. All that being said I was blown away by this beautiful and stunning film. The performances were excellent and the cinematography was breathtaking. The song keep your eyes on me brought me to tears and so did this movie. Each of us grieves different but forgiveness well it just shows it takes time. That's the message here. Now I don't know if I could forgive everything or everyone but I'll try. I'm still crying as I type this review. Tim Treakle

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Chris P

@RT06285801 Jul 14, 2026

There were a few ideas/concepts that I disagreed with but most were resolved by a line or two in the movie. Those I couldn't get around I chose to look at in a different way. That said, this was a great movie that spoke about forgiveness and judging less and carefully--all of which can heal and change an individual. One review shared that it let those who offend off hook but, with one short but important line a little later this opinion was countered showing that all will have to face the consequences of their decisions whether in this life or the next. Now, would i have changed a few things, sure; but overall this movie left me feeling really good and closer to God, our Savior and the Holy Spirit. It left me changed a little for the better and wanting to strive to do better and to keep going no matter what challenges come up. What more could be said at the conclusion of a movie. Great job.

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Stuart Hazeldine

Director

Sam Worthington

Mack Phillips

Octavia Spencer

Papa

Aviv Alush

Jesus

Radha Mitchell

Nan Phillips

Alice Braga

Sophia

The Shack: Official Clip - Meeting the Trinity

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The Shack: Official Clip - Laying Her to Rest

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The Shack: Official Clip - A Garden of You

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The Shack: Official Clip - The Murderer's Shack

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The Shack: Official Clip - Understanding Forgiveness

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The Shack: Official Clip - Drowning in Fear

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The Shack: Official Clip - Revisiting the Shack

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The Shack: Official Clip - Boat Flip

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The Shack: Official Clip - Reconciling With My Father

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The Shack: Official Clip - Send Your Kids to Hell

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Synopsis

After suffering a family tragedy, Mack Phillips spirals into a deep depression that causes him to question his innermost beliefs. Facing a crisis of faith, he receives a mysterious letter urging him to an abandoned shack in the Oregon wilderness. Despite his doubts, Mack journeys to the shack and encounters an enigmatic trio of strangers led by a woman named Papa. Through this meeting, Mack finds important truths that will transform his understanding of his tragedy and change his life forever.

Director: Stuart Hazeldine
Producer: Gil Netter, Brad Cummings
Screenwriter: John Fusco, Andrew Lanham, Destin Daniel Cretton
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Windblown Media, Summit Entertainment, TIK Films, Gil Netter
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Some Violence)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 3, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 16, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $57.2M
Runtime: 2h 12m

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