Shame

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Shame

NC-17

Released Dec 2, 2011

1h 39m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

79%

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224 Reviews

75%

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25,000+ Ratings

Successful and handsome New Yorker Brandon (Michael Fassbender) seems to live an ordinary life, but he hides a terrible secret behind his mask of normalcy: Brandon is a sex addict. His constant need for gratification numbs him to just about everything else. But, when Sissy (Carey Mulligan), Brandon's needy sister, unexpectedly blows into town, crashes at his apartment and invades his privacy, Brandon is finally forced to confront his addiction head-on.

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Critics Consensus

Boasting stellar performances by Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan, Shame is a powerful plunge into the mania of addiction affliction.

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

Follows an arc familiar from numerous other films that deal with the theme of addiction — an accelerated freefall towards rock bottom followed by self-awareness and a hint of redemption.

Oct 28, 2022

Full Review

Noah Berlatsky

The Atlantic

Shame is, indeed, a perfect distillation of the suffering-guy archetype.

Aug 28, 2019

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Cleverly written and beautifully portrayed, Shame is a sensitive look at sex and addiction we've rarely seen before in film.

Rated: A+

Sep 8, 2017

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

There's no doubting that it's artfully shot, but its lack of dialogue and challengingly languorous pacing will be patience-testing for many.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 18, 2023

Full Review

Wael Khairy

The Cinephile Fix

Steve McQueen’s painful cinematic display of loneliness in the city features acting of the highest caliber.

Mar 31, 2023

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Steve McQueen’s Shame takes a nonjudgmental and uncompromising view on sex addiction.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 1, 2023

Full Review

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Orin D

Not everyone's cup of tea, this film explores sexual addiction, w/which I am quite familiar having coined the term "cuntaholic" to describe myself. I highly recommend seeing if this film speaks to your own foibles.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

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Minoo M

This movie was really bad in every way. I have no idea how such a good actress like Carrey and actor like Michael Fassbender would play a movie like this!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/24/24

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BJ M

Depressing. Lacks any real redeeming quality.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

Full Review

Glafira Regina O

Just no. A boring movie without a plot and morale.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/22/24

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julie b

Claustrophobic and bleak depiction of urban loneliness, addiction, and self loathing. Michael’s strong performance and the use of long shots to sit in the emotion are particularly impactful and help bring us into Brandon’s mind, but I wish we’d been able to further unpack his interesting character. I liked the use of interesting shots like outside of windows and the choices for no audible dialogue in certain sequences. But, overall, Shame left me wanting more in terms of plot and storytelling (despite having a killer ending!!). PS, am I the only one who found some parts funny? The tantrums, chaotic cleaning, and barking scenes had me dead.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

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Faiz D

Mesmerizing! Michael Fassbender gave a spellbinding performance. Carey Mulligan was flawless, as always, proving once again what a performer she is. A true 'masterpiece'.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

Full Review

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Steve McQueen

Director

Michael Fassbender

Brandon

Carey Mulligan

Sissy

James Badge Dale

David

Nicole Beharie

Marianne

Alex Manette

Steven

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Synopsis

Successful and handsome New Yorker Brandon (Michael Fassbender) seems to live an ordinary life, but he hides a terrible secret behind his mask of normalcy: Brandon is a sex addict. His constant need for gratification numbs him to just about everything else. But, when Sissy (Carey Mulligan), Brandon's needy sister, unexpectedly blows into town, crashes at his apartment and invades his privacy, Brandon is finally forced to confront his addiction head-on.

Director: Steve McQueen
Producer: Iain Canning, Emile Sherman
Screenwriter: Steve McQueen, Abi Morgan
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: UK Film Council, See-Saw Films, Film4, Searchlight Pictures
Rating: NC-17 (Some Explicit Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 2, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.0M
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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