12 Years a Slave

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12 Years a Slave

R

2013

2h 14m

History

Drama

Biography

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Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

376 Reviews

90%

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Kirsten W

Important story that I hadn't heard of before. The acting was top notch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/19/25

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Audience Member

Ok, this isn't my cup of tea- I don't particularly care about the evils of white men of long ago- they are the evils of ALL men throughout the ages. This movie was excellent, to be sure, and I'm giving it 4 1/2 stars and it's a must have in your collection- but I think Amistad was probably a better 'slave' movie. I also think giving it the best movie oscar was kinda huh? when you look at a few of the contenders. Wolf shoulda got it. All that being said- it's a must watch. It's sad when you see the potential for the end of slavery in America and what black Americans could've become/ and what they actually became. Ugh!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

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Leo H

Una muy buena película si la recomiendo

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

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Stephen C

2 hours and 14 minutes based on a true story!!!!! Rated R for Some Nudity, Brief Sexuality and Violence/Cruelty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $56,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/12/25

Full Review

Faiz D

"Slavery is an evil that should befall none." Not everyone will be able to stomach it but this is an outstanding film that deserves and needs to be seen.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I didn't like the movie, really boring for me. But, what happened to the man was horrible...

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/27/25

Full Review

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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, Plan B Entertainment, New Regency Pictures
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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