The Box

Norma and Arthur Lewis are an ordinary suburban couple, trying to do right by their young son. A mysterious delivery changes their quiet life: a plain wooden box that promises a windfall of one million dollars if someone presses its button. The catch is hidden in plain sight—a stranger somewhere in the world will die as a result, and the couple must decide within a day whether to accept the offer. As the clock ticks, the couple weighs personal desires against moral cost, while their domestic life frays under suspicion and fear. The box becomes a catalyst, testing loyalty, trust, and humanity itself. The moral pressure grows as the box becomes a test not just of wealth but of what each of them believes is acceptable. The box's pull tests not only tolerance for risk but the limits of trust between spouses.

Released in 2009, The Box was directed by Richard Kelly, based on Richard Matheson's short story Button Button. The film blends sci fi intrigue with a moral fable about consequences, anchored by Diaz and Marsden in a tense family drama.

The film grossed about 33.3 million worldwide on a 30 million budget, making it a modest performer rather than a blockbuster, and a polarizing entry in late 2000s science fiction thrillers.

Critics offered mixed reactions, praising the mood and Diaz's performance while flagging uneven pacing and tonal shifts. Some reviewers praised its atmospheric suspense, others found the latter half meander. The core themes probe utilitarian ethics, temptation, and the strain a couple faces when a life changing choice threatens their family.

The Box has not become a signature reference in pop culture, but its premise has been used to illustrate debates about moral payoff and personal responsibility. It stands alongside other late 2000s moral sci fi thrillers as a cautionary tale about easy money.