Now help, ye charming spells and periapts;
And ye choice spirits that admonish me,
Give me signs of future accidents

-from Henry VI, by William Shakespeare

In the tiny town of Brixton, Georgia where nothing is private, a woman with supernatural clairvoyance, a young beautiful socialite who has mysteriously disappeared, and an assortment of colourful characters all collide.

Directed by the acclaimed {Sam Raimi], this haunting psychological thriller includes a distinguished cast of Oscar® nominees Cate Blanchett and Greg Kinnear, Oscar® winner Hilary Swank, Matrix, The (1999) star Keanu Reeves, and rising young actors Giovanni Ribisi and Katie Holmes. The film is written by Oscar® winner Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson

Since 1982's Evil Dead, The (1982) , a film about five friends who go to a cabin in the woods for a vacation and discover the "Book of Dead", Sam Raimi has demonstrated his uncanny ability for telling powerful, disconcerting real stories that delve into the supernatural. Gift, The (2000) is similar thematically to his critically lauded film Simple Plan, A (1998).

Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett) possesses the gift of psychic powers and supports herself and her family, reading the cards to the neighbours who want to know what might be in the future.

There are those in the town who suspect that the messages in Annie's cards are simply hocus-pocus…or the Devil's handiwork. When the wealthy, beautiful, and sexually promiscuous Jessica King (Katie Holmes) is found missing, her bound and ravaged body begins to haunt Annie through her visions. When the authorities are short on leads, they are forced to turn to Annie for help. Now, even Annie has to confront the darkest depths of her gift.

Lakeshore Entertainment and Paramount Classics present the Lakeshore Entertainment/Alphaville production, Gift, The (2000), directed by Sam Raimi from a screenplay by Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton (Sling Blade (1996), One False Move (1991)) - and loosely based on Thornton's mother - and Tom Epperson (One False Move (1991), Family Thing, A (1996)). Academy Award-nominee Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth (1998), Talented Mr. Ripley, The (1999)) leads an ensemble cast that includes Keanu Reeves (Matrix, The (1999), Speed (1994)), Katie Holmes (Wonder Boys (2000), Go (1999)), Giovanni Ribisi (Saving Private Ryan (1998), Boiler Room (2000)), Academy Award nominee Greg Kinnear (As Good As It Gets (1997)) and Academy Award® winner Hilary Swank (Boys Don't Cry (1999)). The venerable talents of Michael Jeter, J.K. Simmons, Gary Cole, Kim Dickens and Chelcie Ross round out the cast.

Gift, The (2000) is produced by James Jacks (Simple Plan, A (1998), Mummy, The (1999)) and Tom Rosenberg (Runaway Bride (1999)) , Next Best Thing, The (2000)), with Gary Lucchesi (Runaway Bride (1999), Next Best Thing, The (2000)), Gregory Goodman (Three Kings (1999), Kalifornia (1993)), Sean Daniel (Mummy, The (1999), Lucky Numbers (2000)) Robert G. Tapert ("Xena: Warrior Princess", Evil Dead, The (1981)) and Ted Tannebaum (Runaway Bride (1999), Next Best Thing, The (2000)) serving as executive producers. The creative production team includes director of photography Jamie Anderson, production designer Neil Spisak, Academy Award-nominated costume designer Julie Weiss, and longtime Raimi collaborators, editors Bob Murawski and Arthur Coburn.