Capernaum

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2:10

Capernaum

R

2018

2h 10m

Drama

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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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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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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

It's a very harrowing portrait... Zain Al Rafeea is amazing.

Sep 12, 2019

Full Review

Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

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.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 2, 2019

Full Review

Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

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.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 28, 2019

Full Review

Ethan Gordon

InSession Film

It hammers and hammers towards making a point by giving us a tour of explicit pain and struggle without any subtlety.

Rated: C-

Mar 21, 2024

Full Review

Jane Freebury

The Canberra Times (Australia)

The powerful, haunting story of a 12-year-old living in a Beirut slum who sues his parents for neglect.

Aug 18, 2022

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

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

Rated: 4.5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

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Jocelyn H

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/11/25

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Jay W

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.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/26/25

Full Review

Madam D

An intense film about poverty, on top of lack of education and without birth control.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

belajar untuk r

This is something I've always thought about, stupid adults creating a cycle of suffering. Everything about this movie is perfect.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/21/25

Full Review

Ads T

Harrowing story of a neglected child who chooses life on the streets of Beirut over living with his parents.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/21/25

Full Review

Stacey M

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/24

Full Review

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Nadine Labaki

Director

Zain Al Rafeea

Zain

Yordanos Shiferaw

Rahil

Kawthar Al Haddad

Souad, the Mother

Fadi Yousef

Selim, the Father

Nadine Labaki

Nadine

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Capernaum: Trailer 2

2:10

Capernaum: Trailer 1

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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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