12 Years a Slave

R

Released Oct 18, 2013

2h 14m

History

Drama

Biography

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95%

Tomatometer

380 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon's life forever.

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Critics Consensus

It's far from comfortable viewing, but 12 Years a Slave's unflinchingly brutal look at American slavery is also brilliant -- and quite possibly essential -- cinema.

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Nijla Mu'min

Bitch Media

Director McQueen, drawing on the visual aesthetic of his previous works Shame and Hunger, never shies away from frames that capture the ways that beauty exists in the most painful situations.

Jan 20, 2021

Full Review

J. Hoberman

Harper's Magazine

12 Years a Slave is, like The Trial, a trapdoor over the abyss. Although less abrupt than Kafka's novel, the movie wastes little time before plunging its viewer into a nightmare of dehumanization.

Mar 4, 2018

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Ambitious, honest and horrifying all at once, 12 Years a Slave may not be the easiest film to watch more than once, but it will stay with you forever once you see it.

Rated: A

Sep 6, 2017

Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

Steve McQueen brought it to life and didn’t hold back from intensity this story has at its foundation. Incredible performances from Chewitel Ejifor and Lupita Nyong’o carry this film.

Aug 13, 2024

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

What’s most impressive about the film is the way it shows how slavery distorts humanity on all levels.

Mar 8, 2024

Full Review

Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

A searing and thought-provoking portrait of pre-Civil War American slavery... 12 Years a Slave is an absorbing and divinely crafted film, even if it is a brutal watch.

Jun 14, 2023

Full Review

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Breno G

Special Effects: 1,0/Sound Effects: 1,0/Acting: 1,0/Story: 2,0

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/13/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Unbelievable film amazing acting!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/15/24

Full Review

Jeremi L

One the best script ive seen, this movie really gives you emotion (from hate, laugh, joy, sadness)... really deep story and the actors were 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/14/24

Full Review

James B

good film hard to watch and depressing good acting

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

Lukas K

This showcase of absolute human cruelty will leave you speach-less and devastated.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/26/24

Full Review

Eye C

A really difficult movie to watch, but great crafted. Kudos for this Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o it is superb her interpretation.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/24

Full Review

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Steve McQueen

Director

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Solomon Northup

Michael Fassbender

Edwin Epps

Benedict Cumberbatch

William Ford

Paul Dano

Tibeats

Garret Dillahunt

Armsby

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12 Years a Slave: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon's life forever.

Director: Steve McQueen
Producer: Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Bill Pohlad, Steve McQueen, Arnon Milchan, Anthony Katagas
Screenwriter: John Ridley
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: River Road, New Regency Pictures, Plan B Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Nudity|Brief Sexuality|Violence/Cruelty)
Genre: History, Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 18, 2013, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2014
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 31, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $56.7M
Runtime: 2h 14m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital

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