The Thing with Feathers

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The Thing with Feathers

R

2025

1h 44m

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

70 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Following the death of his wife, a young father's hold on reality crumbles and a strange presence begins to stalk him from the shadowy recesses of the apartment he shares with his two young sons. A man-like crow, seemingly brought to life from the father's work as an illustrator, is about to become a very real part of all of their lives, ultimately guiding them towards the new shape their family must take.

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Critics Consensus

The Thing with Feathers manages to take flight thanks in part to Benedict Cumberbatch, but choppy characterizations and lack of subtlety make for a rough ride.

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Sheila O'Malley

RogerEbert.com

Nov 26

1.5/4

However, when it comes to critiquing a film adaptation, one thing is pretty clear from years of doing this: when the film doesn’t work, the problem often lies in the choices made when adapting the source material.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Nov 25

Ultimately, the problem is the decision to show us far too much of the rather shoddy-looking crow, which makes the film literal, prosaic and faintly absurd.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Nov 25

1/5

When talented people make bad movies it hurts. And when they make hollow dramas crammed with ersatz emotions it’s almost unforgivable.

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James Mottram

South China Morning Post

Jan 14

3/5

The terrible burden of grief is laid bare in The Thing with Feathers, a gloomy but undeniably touching drama.

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Archika Khurana

The Times of India

Jan 9

3/5

Thoughtful yet flawed, it is a striking meditation on grief—powerful in moments, exhausting in others, and ultimately more impressive than moving.

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Samarth Goyal

Hindustan Times

Jan 8

2/5

Its heart is in the right place, and Benedict’s performance alone makes it worth engaging with, yet the film’s insistence on externalising pain in such an overbearing way keeps viewers at a distance.

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Janine M

Dec 4

Cumberbatch did an amazing job portraying grief! I loved the different viewpoints from him, his boys, and the crow. Very artsy film, but I really enjoyed!

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Gabe Fox

Dec 1

Beautiful, touching, and intense.

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RJ

Nov 30

Beautiful, clever, funny and heart wrenching. Super underrated movie, almost didn't go see it because of the mixed reviews but this will be up there for film of the year for me.

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David P

Nov 29

Interesting, but lost my interest 3/4 of the way.

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PollyEsther

Nov 29

Benedict Cumberbatch gives an amazing performance and the physicality he brings to all his roles is perfectly suited to this surreal and moving take on grief. Each scene was beautifully and artfully composed, with the camera often taking on a character of its own. As someone who has lost someone close to them recently, I found this film cathartic

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tm11999 M

@tm11999 Dec 24

emily dickinsons giant grief metaphor tries its hardest to help and explains to the whiny brit to get over it and take care of the boys. there are worse things than could take over his pointed brain, it's a fine line. dickinson had lots of dying around her and also was closeted but this story was great as cumberbatch continues to be the worlds best weakling. the mean bird is only in his weepy mind. you can watch this, just remember, everything that happens to you is your fault.

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Dylan Southern

Director

Benedict Cumberbatch

Dad

Richard Boxall

Boy 1

Henry Boxall

Boy 2

Eric Lampaert

Crow

Vinette Robinson

Amanda

The Thing with Feathers: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Following the death of his wife, a young father's hold on reality crumbles and a strange presence begins to stalk him from the shadowy recesses of the apartment he shares with his two young sons. A man-like crow, seemingly brought to life from the father's work as an illustrator, is about to become a very real part of all of their lives, ultimately guiding them towards the new shape their family must take.

Director: Dylan Southern
Producer: Andrea Cornwell, Leah Clarke, Adam Ackland
Screenwriter: Dylan Southern
Distributor: Briarcliff Entertainment
Production Co: Lobo Films, SunnyMarch
Rating: R (Language|Some Bloody Violent Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 28, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 44m

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