Inside Llewyn Davis

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Inside Llewyn Davis

R

Released Dec 20, 2013

1h 44m

Drama

Comedy

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

292 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In 1961 New York City, folk singer Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) is at a crossroads. Guitar in hand, he struggles against seemingly insurmountable obstacles to make a name for himself in the music world, but so far, success remains elusive. Relying on the kindness of both friends and strangers, Llewyn embarks on an odyssey that takes him from the streets of Greenwich Village to a Chicago club, where awaits a music mogul who could give him the big break that he desperately needs.

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Critics Consensus

Smart, funny, and profoundly melancholy, Inside Llewyn Davis finds the Coen brothers in fine form.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

... the pretentiousness is overwhelming, which is unfortunate because the outline has potential to be a great Coen brothers film but ultimately becomes weighed down by its own emotions.

Rated: C+

Sep 6, 2017

Full Review

Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

The direction is pitch-perfect; the characters unique and eccentric yet fully realised and the script, woven with absurdist comedy, a marvel

Rated: 5/5

Sep 6, 2017

Full Review

Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

They beautifully and convincingly recreate the streets and coffee shops where he dwells, and seem intoxicated with the look and feel of those surroundings.

Jun 19, 2016

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Noah Gittell

Washington City Paper

It’s an astute portrayal of the challenges of climbing the economic ladder in any industry.

Apr 21, 2025

Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

Boy oh boy, is the music of this film remarkable. I will probably listen to the soundtrack on repeat for the next four months.

Aug 13, 2024

Full Review

Branyan Towe

Loud and Clear Reviews

Despite playing this character who is very flawed, isolated and distant, Isaac’s charisma still works its way through

Rated: 5/5

Jul 29, 2024

Full Review

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Simon W

Read the reviews - we generally agree with a RT rating, but not this one. Possibly the worst film I've ever seen. Stuck with it to the end, God knows why. 2 hours of my life I can't get back. Very little storyline and who understood the ending? Slow, boring, poor storyline, don't waste your time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

Full Review

Benjamin H

Although the movie does have elements that didn't work for me entirely, Inside Llewyn Davis it is an intelligent, somber and thoughtful film from the Coens that superbly handles its many serious themes with an excellent lead performance by Oscar Isaac.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

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Buck M

This is the Coens in bittersweet mode, a little oblique, a little downbeat, and a little offbeat.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

Full Review

Faiz D

I know nothing about the folk music scene in early 1960s New York, yet I found this film engaging, funny, and moving.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Jarvis E

The Coens have done it again

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

Full Review

David M

It's taken me a long time to get to this entry in the Coens' catlogue, but I really enjoyed it. Criticisms of formlessness seem empty to me - the story of a week in the life of a struggling folk singer in 1960s New York, desperate to stay afloat financially, professionally, and socially is charming, melancholy and laced with wry humour. Oscar Isaac's central performance is excellent, and his singing is really something. The film has a laid back lyricism that beguiles and worms its way into the viewer's consciousness. Like many in the directors' canon, it should repay repeated revisits. Not their best - but well up there.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/01/25

Full Review

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Joel Coen

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Ethan Coen

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Oscar Isaac

Llewyn Davis

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Synopsis

In 1961 New York City, folk singer Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) is at a crossroads. Guitar in hand, he struggles against seemingly insurmountable obstacles to make a name for himself in the music world, but so far, success remains elusive. Relying on the kindness of both friends and strangers, Llewyn embarks on an odyssey that takes him from the streets of Greenwich Village to a Chicago club, where awaits a music mogul who could give him the big break that he desperately needs.

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer: Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor: CBS Films
Production Co: Anton Capital Entertainment, StudioCanal, Scott Rudin Productions, Mike Zoss Productions
Rating: R (Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 11, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.2M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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