The Thing with Feathers

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The Thing with Feathers

R

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1h 44m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Verified 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

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.

Rated: 1.5/4

Nov 26, 2025

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

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.

Nov 25, 2025

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

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

Rated: 1/5

Nov 25, 2025

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Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

The film’s ambition in merging genres doesn’t always work, and certain sequences feel more conceptually clever than emotionally resonant. No matter what, you have to admire the audacity.

Nov 29, 2025

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Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

A committed performance by Cumberbatch adds depth to this otherwise muddled examination of grief and guilt that offers an awkward mix of fantasy, horror, and introspective psychological drama.

Nov 29, 2025

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Maitland McDonagh

MaitlandOnMovies (Substack)

It’s about coping, wrapped in a fantastical context that I found more compelling than most stories rooted in the brutal ordinariness of loss and grief.

Nov 28, 2025

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PollyEsther

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/29/25

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Stephen C

Success in 01 hour and 44 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/29/25

Full Review

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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