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Capernaum

Play trailer 2:10 Poster for Capernaum R 2018 2h 10m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 181 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
After fleeing his negligent and abusive parents, a hardened, streetwise 12-year-old boy sues them to protest the life they've given him.
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Capernaum

Capernaum

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Critics Consensus

Capernaum hits hard, but rewards viewers with a smart, compassionate, and ultimately stirring picture of lives in the balance.

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Critics Reviews

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Claudia Puig FilmWeek (LAist) 09/12/2019
It's a very harrowing portrait... Zain Al Rafeea is amazing. Go to Full Review
Andrea Gronvall Chicago Reader 03/02/2019
3/4
It's essential viewing for the ways in which it illuminates brutally hard lives many of us could otherwise not imagine, and for the craft of its nonprofessional performers. Go to Full Review
Charlotte O'Sullivan London Evening Standard 02/28/2019
4/5
Jail and courtroom scenes, at the beginning and end, may be a tad implausible, not to mention scrappy. But the middle section, mostly shot on handheld cameras on the streets of Beirut, is breathtaking, topical, hilarious, tender and brutal. Go to Full Review
Ethan Gordon InSession Film 03/21/2024
C-
It hammers and hammers towards making a point by giving us a tour of explicit pain and struggle without any subtlety. Go to Full Review
Jane Freebury The Canberra Times (Australia) 08/18/2022
The powerful, haunting story of a 12-year-old living in a Beirut slum who sues his parents for neglect. Go to Full Review
M.N. Miller Ready Steady Cut 08/17/2022
4.5
In the end, Capernaum may be hard to watch for some, easy to admire for many, but Labaki’s sad and tender film has the devastating power of a wrecking ball that can’t be denied, that leaves an indomitable mark that can’t be shaken, with staggering impact Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jocelyn H Nov 11 Where do we even start to end poverty? This movie beautifully portrayed an ugly, gritty, tragic existence for so many people in the world. Lack of education, resources, birth control, money, therapy, medication, etc. Sooo many layers, so many problems. The kid actor was absolutely incredible. The dynamic between Yanos and Zaid was beautiful, and so painful. He did so good with a baby and I loved his compassion even though it was eating him alive. Too much stress and pain for anyone to live with, children should not be burdened by these things, and yet they are. See more Jay W Sep 26 Going through IMDb's top 250 has been a real adventure. I have found great films that I never would have given a chance like "3 Idiots" or "Children of Heaven". But then I watch some like "Capernaum" that make me wonder, how did this get so highly ranked? This movie is by no means a crowd pleaser. It is depressing. It shows the audience the ugliness of reality and keeps them there for 2 hours. And really, it is as simple as that. Call me crazy, but I don't like feeling depressed. Stories do need sorrow; the audience will only care about a character succeeding if they see them struggling. But this film lacks the ebb and flow. It’s all downs with no ups. A movie can be sad, but a character should find joy in little victories. Or the story could be a cautionary tale. You could see the film as an eye-opening experience, illuminating the struggles of people in the world. All it is missing is a Sarah Mclachlan song and I will be donating my money to all the charities. See more Madam D Aug 11 An intense film about poverty, on top of lack of education and without birth control. See more belajar untuk r Jul 21 This is something I've always thought about, stupid adults creating a cycle of suffering. Everything about this movie is perfect. See more Ads T Apr 21 Harrowing story of a neglected child who chooses life on the streets of Beirut over living with his parents. See more Stacey M 02/26/2024 I came across this movie on a flight and it is now top 5 of all time for me. I can't even put words to the feeling it gave me - heartbreak on so many fronts, but with glimpses of quiet, deep compassion and kindness in duty where, all things considered, you wouldn't expect it to live. This boy. <3 This movie was so changing for me. I want everyone to see it. See more Read all reviews
Capernaum

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Movie Info

Synopsis After fleeing his negligent and abusive parents, a hardened, streetwise 12-year-old boy sues them to protest the life they've given him.
Director
Nadine Labaki
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Boo Films, Louverture Films, The Bridge Production, Les Films des Tournelles, Synchronicity Production, Open City Films, Mooz Films, KNM Films
Rating
R (Some Drug Material|Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Arabic
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 14, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 26, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.7M
Runtime
2h 10m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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