Kill Your Darlings

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Kill Your Darlings

R

Released Oct 18, 2013

1h 42m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

77%

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150 Reviews

60%

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10,000+ Ratings

In 1944, young Allen Ginsberg (Daniel Radcliffe) has a rival for the affections of his charismatic classmate Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan). When the rival is found dead, Carr, William Burroughs and Jack Kerouac are arrested for murder.

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Critics Consensus

Bolstered by the tremendous chemistry between Daniel Radcliffe and Dane DeHaan, Kill Your Darlings casts a vivid spotlight on an early chapter in the story of the Beat Generation.

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Amy Taubin

Film Comment Magazine

Krokidas's romantic sense of the characters and the moment corresponds precisely to the way those young men saw themselves-at once closeted and defiant, making up the rules of art and sexuality as they went along.

Aug 28, 2019

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Ultimately, it's oddly conservative fare; well played, handsomely mounted, but as inert as the books that its protagonists blithely hurl from the shelves.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 8, 2013

Full Review

Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

Foster is wonderful as the watchful, weak Burroughs, at ease only when drugged, with a mouth like a cat's bum. But DeHaan is even better.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 6, 2013

Full Review

George Fenwick

Stuff.co.nz

Though it's not perfect, Kill Your Darlings is hard to fault with such a brilliant cast bringing the Beat generation to life with such precision.

Jul 26, 2021

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David Bax

Battleship Pretension

Without wasting any time whatsoever, Krokidas falls victim to the glassy-eyed hero worship that causes people to think that any figure they admire must always have been extraordinary at every moment.

Feb 23, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Makes a few missteps - the closing song by Bloc Party would make jazz fan Kerouac turn over in his grave - but allows the performances to bring the characters to vivid life.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 1, 2021

Full Review

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Alexander O

The focus should've been on Kerouac and his love-hate affair with Carr. Ginsburg's self-destructive obsession with both would've made more sense.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/20/24

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Michael V

A true story of obsession and murder. Kill Your Darlings is a 2013 American biographical drama film written by Austin Bunn and directed by John Krokidas in his feature film directorial debut 📚 It’s ok, but I feel mixed about this one 😉 I’d recommend it if you like this genre, but if not then probably give it a miss 👍🏼👎🏼 D A murder in 1944 draws together the great poets of the beat generation: Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/05/24

Full Review

Jerod S

Radcliffe and Michael C Hall are great bookends of this tale of poets and rivals and war.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/18/24

Full Review

Dani G

It's not bad per-se, but I think it's a little dull

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/16/24

Full Review

Michelle S

Las emociones son muy fuertes a la hora de ver está película. La representación de la pasión en una relaciond e ese tipo y la cita a la poesía, filosofía y más ciencias la hacen mejor. Representa perfectamente a un poeta.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

Steve D

I have no idea why I should care about any of it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/24

Full Review

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John Krokidas

Director

Daniel Radcliffe

Allen Ginsberg

David Cross

Louis Ginsberg

Dane DeHaan

Lucien Carr

Ben Foster

William Burroughs

Michael C. Hall

David Kammerer

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Synopsis

In 1944, young Allen Ginsberg (Daniel Radcliffe) has a rival for the affections of his charismatic classmate Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan). When the rival is found dead, Carr, William Burroughs and Jack Kerouac are arrested for murder.

Director: John Krokidas
Producer: Christine Vachon, Michael Benaroya, Rose Ganguzza, John Krokidas
Screenwriter: John Krokidas, Austin Bunn
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Killer Films
Rating: R (Drug Use|Brief Violence|Language|Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 18, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.0M
Runtime: 1h 42m

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