Willard
This is Willard and his friend Ben. Ben will do anything for Willard.
1971 • 95 min • Horror · Science Fiction
Synopsis
A social misfit, Willard is made fun of by his co-workers, and squeezed out of the company started by his deceased father by his boss. His only friends are a couple of rats he raised at home, Ben and Socrates. However, when one of them is killed at work, he goes on a rampage using his rats to attack those who have been tormenting him.
Our family guide
Best from age 13- 100 Reviewers · 1 · 51%
- 61 Audience · 140 · 49%
Willard, a lonely young man, finds solace in the company of his pet rats, Ben and Socrates. When tragedy strikes and his cruel boss pushes him too far, Willard unleashes his rat army for a dark revenge.
- Violence & peril
- 6/10
- Language
- 2/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 1/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 0/10
- Scary moments
- 7/10
Heads up
- Scenes involve large numbers of rats, which some viewers may find unsettling.
- A character is eaten alive by rats, depicted off-screen but implied.
- Depicts themes of isolation, bullying, and mental decline.
What it models well
- Finding unconventional companionship
- Standing up for oneself
- Consequences of mistreatment
Talk about it after
- How does Willard’s isolation affect his choices?
- Discuss how revenge might feel satisfying but can lead to darker outcomes.
- What are the dangers of allowing anger and resentment to fester?
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Willard. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
Stream
- Amazon Prime Video
- Philo
- AMC+ Amazon Channel
- Shudder
- Night Flight Plus
- Shudder Amazon Channel
- Shudder Apple TV Channel
- Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
Amazon Prime Video
Philo
AMC+ Amazon Channel
Shudder
Night Flight Plus
Shudder Amazon Channel
Shudder Apple TV Channel
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Shout! Factory Amazon ChannelFree
- Kanopy
- Fawesome
Kanopy
FawesomeFree with ads
- The Roku Channel
- Fandango at Home Free
- Shout! Factory TV
- YouTube Free
- Plex
- Plex Channel
- Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads
- Tubi TV
The Roku Channel
Fandango at Home Free
Shout! Factory TV
YouTube Free
Plex
Plex Channel
Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads
Tubi TVRent
- Amazon Video
- Apple TV Store
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTubeBuy
- Amazon Video
- Apple TV Store
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
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Top billed cast
Director: Daniel Mann • Crew: Gilbert Ralston
Trailers & clips
Willard (1971) - Official Trailer (HD)
Willard 1971 TV trailer
Reviewer notes
RecommendedTrusted family reviewers***A young loner finds that he connects with… rats*** A mama’s boy and meek misfit (Bruce Davison) befriends the rats that live behind his mother old manor and decides to use them to get back at his domineering boss (Ernest Borgnine) who usurped the business from his father. Sondra Locke is on hand as a coworker in one of her earliest roles.…
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 6.1/10 (140)
- Age rating
- PG
- Status
- Released
- Franchise
- Willard Collection
- IMDb
- tt0067991