Birth

R

Released Oct 29, 2004

1h 40m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

List

39%

147 Reviews

Tomatometer

43%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

It took Anna (Nicole Kidman) 10 years to recover from the death of her husband, Sean, but now she's on the verge of marrying her boyfriend, Joseph (Danny Huston), and finally moving on. However, on the night of her engagement party, a young boy named Sean (Cameron Bright) turns up, saying he is her dead husband reincarnated. At first she ignores the child, but his knowledge of her former husband's life is uncanny, leading her to believe that he might be telling the truth.

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Critics Consensus

A well-mounted production is undermined by a muddled, absurd storyline of questionable taste.

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Dani G

Maybe it was Jonathan Glazer's beginnings, 'cause it had something of his style, but very failed project. It didn't connect what was supposed to

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

Ian E

As with all of Jonathan Glazer's work this movie isn't what it appears to be at first glance. Much like Sexy Beast wasn't really a gangster movie; though it had lots of gangstery tropes. Birth isn't really a movie about paranormal phenomenon, mystery or reincarnation. But about enduring love, loss, psychological damage, grief, despair and the impressionability of young children. Much of the story of the movie is told reading between the lines, rather than being stated overtly. For example the relationship between Sean who dies, his brother and his brother's wife is barely touched on, but is hugely impactful to the story, & on all the characters. Nicole Kidman is superb, as is Cameron Bright. Probably Glazer's second best film after The Zone of Interest. (If you don't count his Guinness Surfer Advert - Voted the best TV advert of all time)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/12/24

Full Review

Alec B

A bizarre movie that definitely didn't deserve the angry reviews at the time of its release. Kidman is at her best here (vulnerable and mysterious) and Glazer effectively remixes a number of Kubrickian themes, styles, and scenes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/04/24

Full Review

Anastasia R

A beautiful and complex love story. It is a movie that could not be made today. One must step outside of comfort zones to deal with the idea of a transcendental love or any metaphysical realities frankly.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/29/24

Full Review

helder f

This movie feels like a theater play more than a movie. It unfolds in not many more than three different places in NYC, the apartment (right across Central Park), Central Park, and in another apartment. Virtually at the same time of the day, with barely the same lighting. The script is a bit constricted and ambivalent. It is sort a good idea that gets lost in "between" two possible scenarios. The main idea appears to support of reincarnation, but then somewhat denies it... The script would probably be better if it either were more subtle or more direct, but it falls somewhat in the boring and uninspiring middle. The outcome is that one leaves the movie without getting much from it. The acting is great but not enough to rescue the movie. Nicole Kidman is great but spends 90% or maybe a bit less of the movie with teary and red eyes... It's too much. Let the characters evolve...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/05/24

Full Review

Gareth v

The story here is unique and creepy, but that's not what holds it back. It's a muddled, disjointed mess for the most part, that leaves you with more questions than answers by it's finale.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/24

Full Review

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Jonathan Glazer

Director

Nicole Kidman

Anna

Cameron Bright

Young Boy

Danny Huston

Joseph

Lauren Bacall

Eleanor

Alison Elliott

Laura

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Will Self

London Evening Standard

This is a grown-up, intelligent, beautiful film. Rejoice.

Dec 26, 2017

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

What were they thinking?

Rated: 1/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

The setup of Glazer's hypnotic movie suggests a supernatural thriller, but the execution is pure European art film. Kidman gives a bold performance as a woman in extreme distress, but the script is hooey. Birth is ridiculous, and oddly unforgettable.

Nov 1, 2007

Full Review

Dave Giannini

InSession Film

One is the idea that pure romantic love is eternal, or we believe it should be. The other is taking a close look at what happens when that romantic partner is ripped from our lives, sometimes in unexpected ways.

Feb 20, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

With turns of tragedy rather than suspense, Glazer conceived and executes an inspired and sensitive drama that deserves reassessment as a carefully considered, masterfully made film that finds a place in its viewer and lingers there like a haunting dream.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 15, 2022

Full Review

Carla Monfort

Espinof

An intimate drama about strife, death, and love elevated by Jonathan Glazer's understated direction and Nicole Kidman's stupendous performance... [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 11, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

It took Anna (Nicole Kidman) 10 years to recover from the death of her husband, Sean, but now she's on the verge of marrying her boyfriend, Joseph (Danny Huston), and finally moving on. However, on the night of her engagement party, a young boy named Sean (Cameron Bright) turns up, saying he is her dead husband reincarnated. At first she ignores the child, but his knowledge of her former husband's life is uncanny, leading her to believe that he might be telling the truth.

Director: Jonathan Glazer
Producer: Xavier Marchand
Screenwriter: Milo Addica, Jean-Claude Carrière, Jonathan Glazer
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: Fine Line Features, Lou Yi Inc.
Rating: R (Sexuality)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 29, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.0M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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