How I Live Now

R

Released Nov 8, 2013

1h 41m

Drama

List

66%

109 Reviews

Tomatometer

55%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

As conflict in Europe escalates, an American teen (Saoirse Ronan) fights to survive in the English countryside.

Read More

Read Less

Peacock

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Hulu

Watch How I Live Now with a subscription on Hulu, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

Led by another strong performance from Saoirse Ronan and a screenplay that subverts YA clichés, How I Live Now blends young love with post-apocalyptic drama.

Read Critics Reviews

Jay H

I often struggle to find my favorite movie of all time. There are so many good ones. But my least favorite? I only have one answer. This movie is rancid to the core and I was horrified by every single scene. First off, it's a super disrespectful depiction of mental health. Second off, the entire plot is about incest. It's not even like, incest for the shock value or horror. This movie is absurdly pro-incest. The main characters are cousins and barely say two words to each before having sex and declaring that they are in love. The narrative seems to be setting up that our protagonist is selfish, and will have some sort of character-arch where she learns to protect her new family, but no. She goes out of her way to hurt and even kill everyone in her path purely because she wants to keep having sex with her cousin. She makes selfish choices the whole movie that result in other more likable characters dying or suffering horrific torture. She shows no remorse and then the movie just ends with her getting everything she wants (which again, is just sex with her cousin) and basically every other character dies. I hate this movie with a burning passion on a level previous unknown to man. I have no idea why the writer thought this story was worth telling.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/24

Full Review

E. K. G

This movie is underrated. For anyone who likes the post-apoc genre (crisis changes us for the better sub-genre) it's a must-see and a five star. If you avoid that genre don't avoid this. I watched it long ago, forgot the title but not the essence. Then found it again when looking for anything Saoirse Ronan after seeing her in Brooklyn. She hits just the right tones in a heartening if not entirely surprising transformation from spoiled self-centered teen to self-sacrificing, responsible young adult. The whole cast is good and the country house a character in itself. Scary, upsetting things happen. And human love goes on.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/31/23

Full Review

Aldo G

An unhappy, morose American teen visits her aunt and cousins in Europe and has to grow up quickly as war explodes around her. Excellent performances especially by Saoirse Ronan and tight direction by Kevin MacDonald make this a YA gem.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/18/23

Full Review

Jana F

This... this is the show I've been looking for. The storyline, the acting, the graphic. the looks. Its amazing and highly recommend. Sad, suspenseful. All of it is an impact. Love IT!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

steve d

Some interesting ideas that never come close to coming together.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Keith H

The pace and cinematography painted a difficult message with as much grace as possible. I brought to my viewing the combat veteran (Vietnam) experience. I have often pondered the best approach to telling this kind of cautionary tale to our current generation. I will recommend this to my extended family.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/17/22

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Kevin Macdonald

Director

Saoirse Ronan

Daisy

Tom Holland

Isaac

Anna Chancellor

Aunt Penn

George MacKay

Edmund

Harley Bird

Piper

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

86%

80%

What Maisie Knew

57%

23%

Big Muddy

33%

40%

Bottled Up

16%

27%

Aloft

92%

65%

Meadowland

TRAILER

for Meadowland

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Now Streaming: Ride Along and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Digital Multiplex: Gravity, All Is Lost, and More

Video: Saoirse Ronan & Kevin Macdonald for How I Live Now

View more photos

Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

Oscar-nominated former child star [Saoirse] Ronan is a reason enough to see any film.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 6, 2017

Full Review

David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

Not having read the book on which this impressive film is based I was completely unprepared for the way the narrative developed.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 18, 2014

Full Review

Jonathan Romney

Film Comment Magazine

[A]rguably delves into country matters more deeply than any precursor in cinema.

Feb 6, 2014

Full Review

Daisy Leigh-Phippard

Screen Queens

Im not saying the impending possibility of a world war three is a good thing for young people. But we all know the trend of dystopian films was sparked by the fear that some of us were going to see the world literally explode.

Feb 21, 2022

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

A treat for the eyes, but rings hollow in the story and character department.

Rated: 2.5/5

Feb 1, 2021

Full Review

Kathi Maio

The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

How I Live Now is a simpler tale about a young girl who finds her own power in a hostile world. In the battle-scarred world that is the movie business, this film deserves to find a place.

Mar 11, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

As conflict in Europe escalates, an American teen (Saoirse Ronan) fights to survive in the English countryside.

Director: Kevin Macdonald
Producer: Tessa Ross, Robert Walak, Piers Wenger, Nigel Williams
Screenwriter: Jeremy Brock, Penelope Skinner, Tony Grisoni
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Filmax
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Images|Some Sexuality|Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 8, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $60.1K
Runtime: 1h 41m

Most Popular at Home Now