Mud

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Mud

PG-13

Released May 10, 2013

2h 10m

Drama

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

183 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

While exploring a Mississippi River island, Arkansas boys Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) encounter Mud (Matthew McConaughey),a fugitive who needs their help. Though Mud killed a man in Texas and has bounty hunters on his trail, he is most concerned about reuniting with Juniper (Reese Witherspoon), the love of his life. Ellis, who is suffering the pangs of his first crush, agrees to help Mud. He and Neckbone do all they can to protect Mud and help him reunite with Juniper.

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Critics Consensus

Bolstered by a strong performance from Matthew McConaughey in the title role, Mud offers an engaging Southern drama that manages to stay sweet and heartwarming without being sappy.

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

Its beguiling mix of naturalism and fabulism will appeal to adults who'd like to see a version of Beasts Of The Southern Wild with fewer fairy lights.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 5, 2017

Full Review

Chris Stuckmann

ChrisStuckmann.com

The type of film that's miraculously heartwarming, while also mournful and filled with sorrow.

Rated: A

Apr 23, 2015

Full Review

Mary Corliss

TIME Magazine

Glorious vision of youth and truth, love and loss, your name is Mud.

Jan 1, 2014

Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

McConaughey, Sheridan, and Lofland carry the film and make Mud one of the year’s best films...

Rated: B+

Aug 20, 2024

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... a story of childhood adventure steeped in the rural culture of life on the Mississippi and the mythology of Huckleberry Finn, but this boy’s adventure is also tangled in the world of adults and family bonds.

May 6, 2023

Full Review

James Croot

The Post NZ

A film that mixes the intimate with the epic, thrilling action with slow-burning drama, Mud is a searing 2012 slice of Southern US-set cinema which rivals the brilliant Beasts of the Southern Wild from the same year.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 1, 2023

Full Review

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Kyle B

Amazing movie, story, and acting. 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

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Stephen L

Quiet, deliberate and full of heart, Mud is one of those rare films that blends simplicity with depth. Jeff Nichols crafts a story that unfolds like folklore, grounded by McConaughey's honest, lived-in performance and told through the eyes of a boy on the cusp of growing up. The film is emotionally rich, visually evocative and smartly written. It’s not flashy, but it’s complete. More than most of 2013’s Best Picture nominees, Mud deserved serious awards consideration.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/25

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Drew F

This was a very entertaining and well acted film. Should have watched this a longtime ago.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/24/25

Full Review

David H

I enjoyed this film. McConaughy (sp?) played his role well, and the kid actors were also really good. I love this sort of coming-of-age story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

Full Review

Tom H

I’m astonished at the shallow reviews. Dig into this film and it reveals a weakness of plot and character. The actors take advantage of the plot and overact. You Hollywood critics must have some backdoor actors who you love.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

Full Review

Audience Member

The spiritual adaption of Huckleberry Finn. Evocative folklore atmosphere , Compelling performances and Tied together with Beautiful cinematography.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/05/25

Full Review

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Jeff Nichols

Director

Matthew McConaughey

Mud

Tye Sheridan

Ellis

Jacob Lofland

Neckbone

Reese Witherspoon

Juniper

Michael Shannon

Galen

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Synopsis

While exploring a Mississippi River island, Arkansas boys Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) encounter Mud (Matthew McConaughey),a fugitive who needs their help. Though Mud killed a man in Texas and has bounty hunters on his trail, he is most concerned about reuniting with Juniper (Reese Witherspoon), the love of his life. Ellis, who is suffering the pangs of his first crush, agrees to help Mud. He and Neckbone do all they can to protect Mud and help him reunite with Juniper.

Director: Jeff Nichols
Producer: Lisa Maria Falcone, Sarah Green, Aaron Ryder
Screenwriter: Jeff Nichols
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: FilmNation, Brace Cove
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual References|Language|Smoking|Some Violence|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 10, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 6, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $21.6M
Runtime: 2h 10m

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