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The Kitchen

Play trailer 2:12 Poster for The Kitchen R Released Dec 8, 2023 1h 48m Adventure Drama Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 64 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
London, 2040 -- rising house prices, computerized labor and eradication of the Welfare State has turned the city into a billionaire's playground, pushing the lower classes to provincial empty slum-like high rises like The Kitchen. Ex-Smash-and-Grabber Izi is desperate to go straight but when his young son contracts a devastating illness, he is forced to take part in a heist that will change the lives of everyone in The Kitchen forever.
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The Kitchen

The Kitchen

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Critics Consensus

Smart sci-fi that's solidly grounded in social commentary, The Kitchen suggests a bright future for the directing duo of Daniel Kaluuya and Kibwe Tavares.

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Critics Reviews

View All (64) Critics Reviews
Christy Lemire FilmWeek (LAist) The writing is so strong and the performances so good that they feel like real people. Feb 1, 2024 Full Review Tim Cogshell FilmWeek (LAist) I like this film quite a lot. It's sharp, it's fast and also slow. Feb 1, 2024 Full Review Robert Levin Newsday This is a compelling sci-fi movie, one that does not pander to the usual expectations. Rated: 3/4 Jan 31, 2024 Full Review Stephen A. Russell ScreenHub Marking the directorial debut of Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya, working alongside architect-turned-filmmaker Kibwe Tavares, The Kitchen is ... a warzone waiting to go off. Dec 10, 2024 Full Review William Stottor Loud and Clear Reviews Closing this year’s London Film Festival, The Kitchen is a remarkable portrayal of gentrification in a futuristic, dystopian London, but one that is eerily accurate to the capital’s current state. Rated: 4/5 Sep 3, 2024 Full Review Calum Cooper In Their Own League Visually interesting, smartly written, and lifted up by two great central performances, it’s a thought provoking film that engages with its social issues with pointed determination. Rated: 4/5 Jul 19, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (123) audience reviews
Lis R The film contained a lot of elements that were good: a good soundtrack, actors I love, beautiful location sourcing and set building, a futuristic setting. The main problem I had with the film was the pacing. It seemed like it was trying to take its time for you to get to know all the characters but a film can only be so long and their motivations were unclear as a result they felt quite shallow. There were a lot of plot points left unaddressed. There was no catharsis after the main conflict at the end. It would have done better as a limited series (6-8 episodes) with enough time to do some more worldbuilding, explore the different factions within the Kitchen, make us understand what drives each or the main characters. Benji’s relationship with his mother, and their past (why did he not go get stuff from his old house I was so confused), Izi’s connection to Benji’s mother, was he a part of the gang in the past? What happens with the people trees?; Staples and the gang, what do they do, how do they plan their raids, what is his past?; Ruby (Benji’s girlfriend) and her relationship with Benji, what was her life like? I feel like the concept of the movie was cool, and I wish it had had better writing. The film seems like it’s trying to send a message, but the message it sends is vague and not well thought out. I’m guessing it was meant to bring light to governmental oppression of the lower class and police brutality, but it didn’t address the issue in any way, offer solutions, or show how to effectively support and resist with your community. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/15/25 Full Review Audience Member Horrible movie, so slow. Could have developed better scenes. Actors were okay. Storyline was very boring. All about exploited resources. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/25 Full Review jean c one of the worst movies of it's genre. Empty characters and empty story, just nice photography. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/25 Full Review Sarfaraz A The film is excessively lengthy and features lackluster acting from everyone involved. The tale provides no clear information other than the fact that we are seeing a small kid whose mother has died, hinting to his probable biological father. The distant relationship between the two, and how a lonely dad begins to care about and worry for his son. There is nothing unique about the film. I'm not sure why it has earned so many favorable reviews on RT. Throughout the film, I waited for something unusual to happen, to see why the film was made. But that was it, I suppose. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/09/24 Full Review Daniel B Slow burn mood piece, not really that compelling, with plenty of social commentary, seems incomplete, don't expect a lot to happen, it's a mood piece. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/24/24 Full Review Gareth v For the most part, this is a rather boring affair. Outside of some decent social commentary, there isn't a lot going for this movie. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/17/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Kitchen

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Movie Info

Synopsis London, 2040 -- rising house prices, computerized labor and eradication of the Welfare State has turned the city into a billionaire's playground, pushing the lower classes to provincial empty slum-like high rises like The Kitchen. Ex-Smash-and-Grabber Izi is desperate to go straight but when his young son contracts a devastating illness, he is forced to take part in a heist that will change the lives of everyone in The Kitchen forever.
Director
Daniel Kaluuya, Kibwe Tavares
Producer
Daniel Emmerson, Daniel Kaluuya
Screenwriter
Daniel Kaluuya, Joe Murtagh
Distributor
Netflix
Production Co
Film4, DMC Film, 59%, Factory Fifteen
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 8, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 19, 2024
Runtime
1h 48m
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