Reviews: The Voices (2014) Movie Review / Ending Explained / FAQs
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Subgenres: Comedy, Killer, Madness, Split Personality
Exploring The Voices (2014) through our review, we cover its story, scares, and how it fits into the broader horror genre landscape.
The Voices (2014) – A Dark Comedy Horror Gem That Balances Madness with Sympathy
The Voices (2014), directed by Marjane Satrapi, delivers a unique and unsettling blend of horror, dark comedy, and psychological drama, centered around a disturbed yet oddly lovable protagonist. With an unforgettable performance by Ryan Reynolds, this film explores the mind of a mentally ill man whose pets quite literally talk to him — one acting as the voice of reason, the other fueling his darkest impulses.
Far from a typical slasher or horror flick, The Voices leans into its quirky tone while tackling serious themes of mental illness, isolation, and the desperate need for connection, making it a cult favorite among fans of genre-bending cinema.
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The story follows Jerry Hickfang (Ryan Reynolds), a cheerful but socially awkward factory worker living in a small town. On the surface, Jerry seems like an ordinary guy, but behind closed doors, his life is anything but normal. He holds full-blown conversations with his pets: Bosco, his kind-hearted dog, and Mr. Whiskers, his malevolent, manipulative cat.
When Jerry becomes infatuated with Fiona (Gemma Arterton), a co-worker at the factory, his quest for love collides violently with his untreated psychosis. After a tragic and accidental death, Jerry’s fragile reality unravels, plunging him deeper into a cycle of violence, guilt, and hallucinations, all while his pets continue to push him toward either redemption or ruin.
Key Themes Explored:
Mental illness and the blurred line between reality and delusion
The human need for love, acceptance, and connection
Isolation and loneliness as catalysts for emotional breakdown
The internal battle between good and evil impulses
Dark humor as a coping mechanism for trauma and guilt
Through Jerry’s duality, the film humanizes its killer, making the audience both root for and fear him at the same time.
Acting and Cinematography
Ryan Reynolds delivers one of the most compelling performances of his career in The Voices, expertly balancing boyish charm with unsettling madness. His portrayal of Jerry is both endearing and terrifying, making viewers sympathize with his struggle even as his actions become increasingly violent.
Reynolds also provides the voices of Bosco and Mr. Whiskers, showcasing his vocal range and adding layers to the narrative’s psychological conflict. Gemma Arterton and Anna Kendrick, playing Fiona and Lisa respectively, bring heart and humanity to their roles, serving as both objects of Jerry’s affection and mirrors to his loneliness.
Visually, the film contrasts Jerry’s bright, candy-colored perception of the world with the grim reality revealed through moments of clarity. This deliberate use of color, lighting, and set design emphasizes Jerry’s dissociation from the horrors he creates, offering a haunting look at how perception shapes reality.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Marjane Satrapi, known for her animated drama Persepolis, brings an unexpected but effective visual style to The Voices, blending vibrant, almost whimsical aesthetics with dark, bloody subject matter. Her sensitive approach prevents the film from descending into mere exploitation, instead offering a thoughtful character study dressed in horror-comedy clothing.
The balance between quirky humor and unsettling violence is one of the film’s greatest strengths, though the tone may feel uneven for viewers expecting a traditional horror film. Satrapi keeps the focus on Jerry’s mental state, making the audience complicit in his warped perspective.
Strengths:
Exceptional performance by Ryan Reynolds, including vocal work for supporting characters
Bold mix of humor, horror, and tragedy
Stylized cinematography that contrasts fantasy with grim reality
Thoughtful exploration of mental illness without losing genre appeal
Memorable supporting cast and strong character dynamics
Weaknesses:
Tonally uneven for some viewers unfamiliar with dark comedy horror
The blending of humor and violence may not resonate with all audiences
Limited backstory on secondary characters beyond Jerry’s interactions with them
Final Verdict & Score: 7/10
The Voices (2014) stands out as a darkly charming, emotionally charged horror-comedy that dares to explore the psyche of a killer without stripping away his humanity. With Ryan Reynolds anchoring the film through a nuanced, fearless performance, it offers both disturbing thrills and surprising empathy, making it a hidden gem for fans of offbeat horror.
While its tonal shifts and mix of humor with brutality may polarize some viewers, the film’s originality, compelling lead, and visual style secure its place as a standout entry in the genre.
Who will enjoy it:
Fans of dark comedy with psychological horror elements
Viewers who appreciate genre-bending films with emotional complexity
Audiences looking for character-driven thrillers with a unique visual style
Those interested in mental health stories told through unconventional narratives
Who might be disappointed:
Viewers expecting straightforward horror without comedic or surreal elements
Those uncomfortable with violent subject matter mixed with humor
Audiences seeking traditional slasher or jump-scare-driven films
The Voices (2014) – Most Searched FAQs and Ending Explained
What is The Voices (2014) about?
The Voices (2014) is a dark comedy psychological horror film that follows Jerry Hickfang (Ryan Reynolds), a seemingly cheerful factory worker who struggles with untreated schizophrenia. Jerry hears the voices of his pets — Bosco, his loyal dog who urges him to do good, and Mr. Whiskers, his sinister cat who encourages violence.
When Jerry develops feelings for his co-worker Fiona (Gemma Arterton), an accidental tragedy sets him on a dangerous path. As Jerry’s grip on reality weakens, the film explores his descent into madness, murder, and self-destruction, all while blending quirky humor with disturbing horror.
Is The Voices (2014) a horror movie or a comedy?
The Voices is best described as a dark comedy with psychological horror elements. It combines unsettling violence and tragic themes with a colorful, sometimes humorous tone. The film’s ability to balance these genres is part of what makes it stand out, though some viewers may find the mix of comedy and horror jarring.
This genre-blending approach allows the film to explore serious topics like mental illness and isolation without losing its unique, offbeat style.
Who does Ryan Reynolds play in The Voices?
Ryan Reynolds stars as Jerry Hickfang, the socially awkward, mentally ill protagonist of the film. Reynolds delivers a standout performance, portraying Jerry’s childlike innocence while also voicing both of his pets — Bosco the dog and Mr. Whiskers the cat.
Reynolds’ vocal work adds emotional depth to Jerry’s internal conflict, making the viewer both sympathize with and fear him as the story unfolds.
What mental illness does Jerry have in The Voices?
Jerry suffers from schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and auditory voices. The film depicts his experience through conversations with his pets and his distorted perception of the world around him.
Importantly, The Voices humanizes Jerry without excusing his violent behavior, offering a tragic look at what happens when mental illness goes untreated and support systems fail.
Why does Jerry kill Fiona in The Voices?
Minor Spoiler:
Jerry kills Fiona accidentally during an awkward date gone wrong. After she rejects his romantic advances and tries to escape, a struggle ensues, resulting in her death. Jerry’s inability to process the situation rationally — fueled by the voices of his pets — leads him to continue down a violent path.
Fiona’s death becomes the catalyst for Jerry’s complete mental breakdown, triggering further murders as his delusions deepen.
Does Jerry kill Lisa in The Voices?
Minor Spoiler:
Yes, Lisa (Anna Kendrick), another co-worker who shows genuine affection for Jerry, becomes one of his victims. Despite the brief hope that Lisa’s kindness might help Jerry find stability, his mental state deteriorates too far, leading him to kill her as well.
Lisa’s tragic death further underscores the horror of Jerry’s psychosis and the devastating consequences of his unchecked condition.
What is the role of the pets in The Voices?
Jerry’s pets, Bosco and Mr. Whiskers, symbolize the two sides of his psyche:
Bosco (the dog) represents his conscience, compassion, and desire to be good.
Mr. Whiskers (the cat) embodies his violent urges, manipulation, and descent into madness.
The ongoing dialogue between these two animals mirrors Jerry’s internal struggle between doing the right thing and succumbing to his darkest impulses.
Is The Voices based on a true story?
No, The Voices is not based on a true story. However, it draws on real aspects of schizophrenia and psychosis, using creative storytelling and genre-blending to explore the subject in a darkly humorous yet tragic way.
While fictional, the film presents a sensitive depiction of mental illness, showing the isolation and confusion experienced by those who suffer from such disorders.
The Voices (2014) – Ending Explained
Major Spoiler Below
The ending of The Voices sees Jerry’s world fully collapse as his hallucinations and guilt become unbearable. After committing multiple murders, Jerry begins to lose control over his delusions. In a moment of clarity, he recognizes the horror of what he has done.
Faced with mounting guilt and the pressure from the voices, Jerry decides to turn off the gas in his apartment, triggering an explosion intended to end his life. The film closes with a surreal, dreamlike musical sequence where Jerry imagines himself reunited with his victims in a bright, cheerful afterlife, symbolizing his longing for forgiveness and peace.
The contrast between the brutal reality of his actions and the whimsical finale emphasizes the film’s tragic exploration of loneliness, delusion, and redemption.
The ending suggests that Jerry’s deepest desire was never to harm but simply to belong — a heartbreaking conclusion to a film that balances dark humor with psychological horror and empathy.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- The Voices Rating Scores
- Our Score: 7/10
- Overall Score: 6.68/10
- IMDB: 6.3/10
- MetaCritic: 5.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 7.4/10
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