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Kill Your Darlings

Play trailer Poster for Kill Your Darlings R Released Oct 18, 2013 1h 42m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 146 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 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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Kill Your Darlings

Kill Your Darlings

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 The Post 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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Shioka O It's okay, a quick easy watch. Could be more crazier... Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/02/25 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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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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Kill Your Darlings

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Movie Info

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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