FILM · 2009 · USA
The Box
22 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (22)
- #001
In the original short story, Norma's husband dies in a train crash after she presses the button, and she receives the money as a no-fault insurance payout. When she complains that a stranger had to die, she is told that she never really knew her husband.
- #002
The main characters, Norma Lewis and Arthur Lewis, were based on director Richard Kelly's parents. His mother also had a disability in her foot after an X-ray accident; his father worked for NASA and co-designed the camera used on the Viking Mars Landers (as in the film).
- #003
The short story "Button, Button," written by Richard Matheson, was first published in Playboy magazine (June 1970).
- #004
The library scene was shot at the Boston Public Library.
- #005
Whenever a character in the film has a nosebleed, Arlington Steward is exercising mind control over them.
- #006
This film was the first feature-length film scored by members of the Canadian band Arcade Fire (Win Butler, Régine Chassagne and Owen Pallett).
- #007
When Norma (Cameron Diaz) wants to speak with Mr. Steward (Frank Langella), a calendar from one of the Ukrop's supermarkets is clearly visible. This is a real chain that started in Richmond, VA, and remained active until 2010.
- #008
The uniforms and badges, apart from the police patch, are accurate for the Richmond, Virginia Police Bureau in the 1970s. The exterior of the police station is also an accurate depiction of the old headquarters at Tenth and Marshall Streets in Richmond, VA.
- #009
One of the photographs in Arthur's basement is of Carl Sagan.
- #010
The film was not screened for critics.
- #011
While Norma is watching television, you see a Native American man crying from sadness. This references the anti-littering advertisement from the 1970s.
- #012
In one scene, the sitcom "Alice" is playing on TV. Celia Weston (Lana Burns) had a regular role on that sitcom.
- #013
This was the only film released in 2009 to receive an "F" CinemaScore from audiences.
- #014
The film is set in December 1976.
- #015
Although Pink Floyd's song "Fearless," from their 1971 album "Meddle," is used in the film, it is not credited in the credits.
- #016
At one point Norma Lewis (Cameron Diaz) tells her son's friends that she is only 35 years old. Although Diaz was 37 when the film was released, she was actually 35 during filming in 2007.
- #017
The trailer used music by Charlie Clouser from the film Saw (2004).
- #018
In December 2008, it was announced that Win Butler and Regine Chassagne of the Canadian band Arcade Fire, along with Owen Pallett, would compose the film's original music. During the editing process, Butler, Chassagne and Pallett assisted Kelly by offering advice on his decisions.
- #019
The European CD and the DVD include three additional songs in the film's music. Craig Wilde (Braginsky) wrote a song performed by Neil Young. The other song is by Jon Bon Jovi.
- #020
Although stuntman Paul Marini is credited with the role of Santa Claus, he was in fact the stunt double for Sal Lizard, who is shown in the role of Santa Claus. Santa Claus is played by Marini when seen from behind and by Lizard when seen from the front.
- #021
The Box (2009) was the first PG-13 film directed by Richard Kelly.
- #022
Both Cameron Diaz and James Marsden have worked with Jim Carrey: Diaz in The Mask (1994) and Marsden in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020).
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