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Children of Men

Play trailer Poster for Children of Men R 2006 1h 49m Sci-Fi Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 253 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
When infertility threatens mankind with extinction and the last child born has perished, a disillusioned bureaucrat (Clive Owen) becomes the unlikely champion in the fight for the survival of Earth's population; He must face down his own demons and protect the planet's last remaining hope from danger.
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Children of Men

Children of Men

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Critics Consensus

Children of Men works on every level: as a violent chase thriller, a fantastical cautionary tale, and a sophisticated human drama about societies struggling to live.

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Critics Reviews

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Christopher Orr The Atlantic Children of Men founders in its latter moments -- not a lot, but enough. Its failure is less one of plot than of something deeper, a composing idea to undergird the plot. Apr 1, 2015 Full Review Ryan Gilbey New Statesman A film that has much to recommend it, not least the proof it offers, as if any more were needed, that Alfonso Cuarón is one of the most visually inspired directors working today. Apr 1, 2015 Full Review Anthony Quinn Independent (UK) Alfonso Cuaron stages some terrific set-pieces, and the production designers deserve credit for making London in 2027 look like the grunge capital of the world, ie, like now, only more so. One small problem: I didn't believe any of it. Rated: 3/5 Apr 1, 2015 Full Review Jack Walters Loud and Clear Reviews "Children of Men is a terrifying, exhilarating, and sickening portrait of the darkest corners of humanity, but one that inspires hope all the same." Rated: 5/5 Aug 27, 2025 Full Review Sharai Bohannon A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast It's got great cinematography, acting, etc. However, it's very murky regarding race and gender and so many bits could be trimmed to make it less of a chore. Rated: 3/5 May 23, 2025 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Children of Men is an achingly, almost dreamily optimistic film in the face of such brutally cynical conditions, offering a humanist message that neutralizes political debate. Rated: 4/4 Feb 12, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

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Sean O I will never understand why this movie didn’t get any Oscar attention. I still remember seeing it in the theater and I won’t give it away but about 3/4 of the way features one of the most powerful scenes ever captured for cinema. I can and will speak for everyone in the theater that not a single one of us was breathing for a solid minute or two. For anyone living in the States in 2025, it is also more poignant now than it was in 2006. Ironically the movie takes place in 2027. Just rewatched it again and it’s as great as I remembered. Also possibly Clive Owen’s best performance to be honest. And I’m a fan of his. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/17/25 Full Review Oscar H You end up wanting the film to end just to stop listening to the baby crying. Plot doesn’t make too much sense. Don’t find out what happens. Spend most of the time in a refugee camp getting shot at. All while listening to the baby crying. Not enjoyable. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 10/15/25 Full Review Leprechaun K Well directed and executed with very impressive production design. Yet, characters felt distanced and unrelatable. A good enough effort, but it doesn't reach the heights of his later films Gravity and Roma. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/29/25 Full Review Orin D We own this film & hadn't watched in for a few years. We screened it because my older daughter is staying w/ us. What a marvelous film this is on every level from great performances, to top-shelf writing , to stellar special effects. The best sci-fi thriller about a dystopian future. Michael Caine is particularly good as the old pot-smoking hippy Jaspar & the lead actress as Kee shines in the central role of the mother of the first baby born in a long era of infertility. BRAVO! Orin P. Domenico Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/28/25 Full Review Ralph R Children of Men is one of those films that lingers long after you watch it. Alfonso Cuarón’s directing is razor sharp, and he crafts a world that feels frighteningly real. The bleakness in the cinematography, with its washed-out grays and handheld shots, grounds the story in a gritty, almost documentary-like style. It’s not a movie that tries to comfort you; instead, it pulls you into a society on the brink of collapse and keeps you there. The script is tight, and the pacing makes every scene feel necessary. Clive Owen gives a performance that feels both weary and determined, perfectly fitting the hopeless tone of the world around him. Pair that with the impressive long takes and immersive sound design, and you get a film that’s technically brilliant as much as it is thematically powerful. It’s heavy, yes, but it’s also unforgettable. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/08/25 Full Review Loki G The greatest dystopian movie I’ve watched, and I keep rewatching it, great movie stacked cast, Charlie, Clive Owen, Michael Caine, Julianne Moore, chiwetel. Clive Owen gives an amazing performance through out the movie and for Michael Caine to surely step into an unknown character like that it is truly dystopian to me. All great characters and performances in this movie. Definitely a must watch needs more attention. The cinematography on this movie is sharp and holds up better than must movies of this genre. The set of time of movie is a mix between past and future with old buses and gritty old streets with some modern to it. It looks like how the world is right now. I couldn’t imagine a world like it was in the movie. PLEASE DONT NOT REBOOT. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/29/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Children of Men

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Children of Men

Children of Men: Official Clip - Escaping The Fishes Children of Men: Official Clip - Escaping The Fishes 2:06 Children of Men: Official Clip - The Plan for Kee Children of Men: Official Clip - The Plan for Kee 2:49 Children of Men: Official Clip - Miracle Cease Fire Children of Men: Official Clip - Miracle Cease Fire 2:59 Children of Men: Official Clip - Can't Trust The Fishes Children of Men: Official Clip - Can't Trust The Fishes 2:12 Children of Men: Official Clip - Kee Opens Up Children of Men: Official Clip - Kee Opens Up 1:51 Children of Men: Official Clip - We're Safe Children of Men: Official Clip - We're Safe 2:52 Children of Men: Official Clip - Luke Murders Jasper Children of Men: Official Clip - Luke Murders Jasper 1:38 Children of Men: Official Clip - It's a Girl Children of Men: Official Clip - It's a Girl 2:06 Children of Men: Official Clip - Cafe Bomb Blast Children of Men: Official Clip - Cafe Bomb Blast 1:38 Children of Men: Official Clip - Kee Is Pregnant Children of Men: Official Clip - Kee Is Pregnant 1:05 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis When infertility threatens mankind with extinction and the last child born has perished, a disillusioned bureaucrat (Clive Owen) becomes the unlikely champion in the fight for the survival of Earth's population; He must face down his own demons and protect the planet's last remaining hope from danger.
Director
Alfonso Cuarón
Producer
Marc Abraham, Eric Newman, Hilary Shor, Iain Smith, Tony Smith
Screenwriter
Alfonso Cuarón, David Arata, Timothy J. Sexton, Hawk Ostby, Mark Fergus
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Beacon Communications
Rating
R (Language|Brief Nudity|Some Drug Use|Strong Violence)
Genre
Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 25, 2006, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$35.3M
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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