The Killing of a Sacred Deer

R

Released Oct 20, 2017

2h 1m

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

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List

79%

Tomatometer

281 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Dr. Steven Murphy is a renowned cardiovascular surgeon who presides over a spotless household with his wife and two children. Lurking at the margins of his idyllic suburban existence is Martin, a fatherless teen who insinuates himself into the doctor's life in gradually unsettling ways. Soon, the full scope of Martin's intent becomes menacingly clear when he confronts Steven with a long-forgotten transgression that will shatter his domestic bliss forever.

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Critics Consensus

The Killing of a Sacred Deer continues director Yorgos Lanthimos' stubbornly idiosyncratic streak -- and demonstrates again that his is a talent not to be ignored.

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Robert Daniels

812filmreviews

Has a doctor ever killed your father, and you used voodoo to get back him? Yea, me too. Yorgos Lanthimos's follow-up to The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, is every bit as creepy, dark, and ironic as the former.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 5, 2018

Full Review

Namrata Joshi

The Hindu

The Killing of a Sacred Deer scares, baffles, unsettles, annoys and peels off the happy smokescreen to reveal the discomfiting reality of yet another upper class family.

Jul 11, 2018

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Karl Quinn

The Age (Australia)

Bleakly brilliant.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 15, 2018

Full Review

Bianca Garner

Filmotomy

To Lanthimos, justice is messy and complicated. In real life, there are very little winners, but there are many losers.

Oct 4, 2024

Full Review

tt stern-enzi

Cincinnati CityBeat

The usual stark realities we’ve been familiar with for how we see the ‘nati give way to the thrilling fun of Cincinnati as a dark and twisted hellscape out of The Twilight Zone.

Aug 26, 2023

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

An absurdly funny and dread-filled experience, filled with Lanthimos' trademark wit and monotone performances. It won't be for everyone, but The Killing of a Sacred Deer is something unique and special.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 5, 2023

Full Review

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Rhonda D

I couldn’t get past the child abuse in the movie. Watched it til the end and now regret it.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

Full Review

Larron M

So, you have to give it a chance. Odd dialog but somehow captivating. Glad I finished it. This is one that will stick with you for a few days!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/05/24

Full Review

Troy J

It's strange to me that this movie is better known. Is it too artsy? Too unique? The story of a boy who wants revenge on the doctor who "killed" his father is hauntingly familiar while being unlike anything else ever made. It's a slow burn for sure and if you're looking for a cheap scare then this isn't your cup o team. Lanthimos is so unique in his delivery that there isn't anything quite like it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/02/24

Full Review

Sreejitaa S

One of the best out of the ordinary films. It is gonna mess you up for sure.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/24/24

Full Review

Kyle C

Incredibly thought provoking and alluring. Barry Keoghan delivers an astounding performance, especially at this age. Mysterious and perfectly disturbing, the pacing and cinematography of this film induces a type of unwell feeling and strange anxiety. Solid cast, really loved Nicole Kidman in this type of movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/23/24

Full Review

Wolfgang G

The Killing of a Sacred Deer ist ein Thriller von Giorgos Lanthimos. … Steven, ein Chirurg mit Charisma, wird zu einem unglaublichen Opfer, als der Teenager immer unheimlicher wird und sein Leben auseinanderbricht. … Ein surrealistischer Arthouse Psychothriller mit einer atemberaubenden künstlerischen Leitung und einer tollen Besetzung.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/04/24

Full Review

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Yorgos Lanthimos

Director

Bill Camp

Matthew Williams

Raffey Cassidy

Kim Murphy

Denise Dal Vera

Mary Williams

Colin Farrell

Steven Murphy

Barry Keoghan

Martin

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The Killing of a Sacred Deer: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Dr. Steven Murphy is a renowned cardiovascular surgeon who presides over a spotless household with his wife and two children. Lurking at the margins of his idyllic suburban existence is Martin, a fatherless teen who insinuates himself into the doctor's life in gradually unsettling ways. Soon, the full scope of Martin's intent becomes menacingly clear when he confronts Steven with a long-forgotten transgression that will shatter his domestic bliss forever.

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Producer: Ed Guiney, Yorgos Lanthimos
Screenwriter: Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthimis Filippou
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Element Pictures
Rating: R (Disturbing Violent Content|Disturbing Sexual Content|Language|Some Graphic Nudity)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 20, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 19, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.3M
Runtime: 2h 1m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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