Never Let Me Go

R

Released Sep 15, 2010

1h 44m

Drama

Sci-Fi

TRAILER

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List

71%

187 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Friends Kathy (Carey Mulligan), Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) grow up together at a seemingly idyllic boarding school in the English countryside. When they leave the school and the horrible truth of their true purpose is revealed to them, they must simultaneously confront deep-seated feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal that threaten to tear their friendship asunder.

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Critics Consensus

With Never Let Me Go, Mark Romanek has delivered a graceful adaptation that captures the spirit of the Ishiguro novel -- which will be precisely the problem for some viewers.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Perhaps such passive solemnity is true to the book, but on screen, along with the sad tinkling piano and the sad violins that just won't quit, the overall effect is so enervating that you simply don't feel a damned thing.

Aug 30, 2018

Full Review

Kaleem Aftab

Independent (UK)

The lack of dramatic tension means it's difficult to emotionally connect with the central characters and their dilemma.

May 15, 2018

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

The script could have done better to translate the concept. It works as a big picture concept, but doesn't get the treatment it deserves here.

Rated: C+

Sep 8, 2017

Full Review

Michael Leader

Den of Geek

Ishiguro's gentle science fiction concept is rendered with melancholy subtlety by Romanek.

Rated: 4/5

May 7, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

This disturbing narrative about believable characters in their fatalistic world offers an affecting drama that stays with the viewer long after the film has ended.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 3, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

It's anxiously moving. But also the most morbid film human eyes have ever seen. [Full review in Spanish]

Aug 4, 2022

Full Review

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Rebekah P

Full disclosure--didn't read the book on this one. Wife did and didn't like it. The movie was fine. It was fine. Yeah, fine. Probably the least favorite Garland screenplay, but I'll blame the book. Maybe I'll read it someday. If I feel like it. Sometimes litfic just...doesn't know how to scifi properly.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/16/24

Full Review

C S

Haunting tragic and beautiful.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/10/24

Full Review

chitown2bayarea

Definitely a must watch if you want a sad movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/24

Full Review

Daniel G

Melancholy, sometimes almost too slow, but totally poignant study of why human clones are prohibited, especially if meant for use by non-clones. Unsurprisingly based on a book by Kazuo Ishiguro, who also produced. Future stars Carey Mulligan, Kiera Knightley and Andrew Garfield already shone in this movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/24

Full Review

David W

A premise that is as disturbing as it is odd is carried along by great talent on the part of both the filmmakers and the cast. While each of the leads brings their A-game, Keira Knightley's performance stood out to me as particularly worthy of admiration. It's a heavy, depressing story but an intriguing one. I would watch it again.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

Laura S

I want to say the story was impactful to me, but as I'm going through a list of movies I've seen last year and haven't reviewed yet (hence writing this review), I honestly don't remember this movie as well as the rom-com I just reviewed prior to this. I know I didn't hate this, and the resigned sacrifices the characters made were horrible. But I just can't remember the faces or the characters. I think that is the issue of this movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/03/24

Full Review

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Mark Romanek

Director

Carey Mulligan

Kathy

Andrew Garfield

Tommy

Keira Knightley

Ruth

Izzy Meikle-Small

Young Kathy

Ella Purnell

Young Ruth

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Critics Consensus: Easy A and The Town Are Certified Fresh

Never Let Me Go: Trailer 1

2:31

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Synopsis

Friends Kathy (Carey Mulligan), Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) grow up together at a seemingly idyllic boarding school in the English countryside. When they leave the school and the horrible truth of their true purpose is revealed to them, they must simultaneously confront deep-seated feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal that threaten to tear their friendship asunder.

Director: Mark Romanek
Producer: Alex Garland, Kazuo Ishiguro, Tessa Ross
Screenwriter: Alex Garland
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: DNA Films, Film 4, Fox Searchlight
Rating: R (Sexuality|Nudity)
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 15, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 26, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Runtime: 1h 44m

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