We Need to Talk About Kevin

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We Need to Talk About Kevin

R

Released Dec 9, 2011

1h 51m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

74%

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207 Reviews

78%

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25,000+ Ratings

Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton) is a travel writer/publisher who gives up her beloved freedom and bohemian lifestyle to have a child with her husband, Franklin (John C. Reilly). Pregnancy does not seem to agree with Eva, but what's worse, when she does give birth to a baby boy named Kevin, she can't seem to bond with him. When Kevin grows from a fussy, demanding toddler (Rocky Duer) into a sociopathic teen (Ezra Miller), Eva is forced to deal with the aftermath of her son's horrific act.

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Critics Consensus

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a masterful blend of drama and horror, with fantastic performances across the board (Tilda Swinton especially, delivering one of her very best).

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

It may be one of those pesky films that is awful to watch but is worth watching all the same. Oh, dear.

Aug 31, 2018

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David Thomson

The New Republic

It becomes a film about her [Swinton] scattered mind. That produces wonders from Swinton, but it ignores the plea in the title. What about Kevin? Kevin deserves so much more attention-indeed, he deserves being played by Tilda Swinton.

Jun 19, 2013

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Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

Fragmented, dreamlike, a whir of memories and misery, We Need to Talk About Kevin is unsettling, but also somehow unnecessary.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 9, 2012

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Michael Leader

Den of Geek

Tilda Swinton and Ezra Miller both give exceptional performances in the film of Lionel Shriver's We Need To Talk About Kevin.

Rated: 4/5

May 9, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Ramsay’s film uses evocative imagery and a non-linear narrative structure to create a stunningly observed series of disturbing scenes, which, as the viewer pieces them together, become so filled with dread that we squirm with unease.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 4, 2022

Full Review

Juan Pablo Russo

EscribiendoCine

Without judgment, righteousness, or hopeful messages, it tells us the B side of a tragedy, the underside no one knows, but everyone opines on. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 10/10

Sep 6, 2022

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Gabrielle S

This is true horror—real-life horror. This one will stick with you for a long time after watching.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/08/24

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Jonathan H

A very disturbing, yet powerful, story that leaves you with a lot of questions to think about. It jarringly reflects various real-life events that have ended in tragedy, with so many people asking, "why?" Ultimately, there is no satisfying answer except the realization that our sinful world is broken, and always will be. Tremendous performances in this film by everyone, yet I was not able to give it the full 5 stars because it felt incomplete, vague and fragmented. I felt like I needed a little more meaning from this, other than a shrug and a "eh well, that's life."

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/05/24

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R D

Fragmented and disturbing, but leaves ypu with the feeling something's missing. And age old tale of how society ignores mothers, then blames them.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

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Kyle J

Put the kid in a mental asylum, and no one wastes two hours waiting for Godot.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/22/24

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nathan A

this reminds me of my good friend Kevin. I should really talk to him. nevermind fuck you kevin barbosa.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

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Chris F

Oh man, this one will stick with you for awhile. The acting is superb and the way the story and progression slowly ticks toward the conclusion makes for a movie that is both tough to watch, but also hard not to watch. This is a great film for anyone who wants to cringe their teeth for about 2 hours.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/27/24

Full Review

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Lynne Ramsay

Director

Tilda Swinton

Eva

John C. Reilly

Franklin

Ezra Miller

Kevin (Teenager)

Jasper Newell

Kevin (6-8 Years)

Rocky Duer

Kevin (Toddler)

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Synopsis

Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton) is a travel writer/publisher who gives up her beloved freedom and bohemian lifestyle to have a child with her husband, Franklin (John C. Reilly). Pregnancy does not seem to agree with Eva, but what's worse, when she does give birth to a baby boy named Kevin, she can't seem to bond with him. When Kevin grows from a fussy, demanding toddler (Rocky Duer) into a sociopathic teen (Ezra Miller), Eva is forced to deal with the aftermath of her son's horrific act.

Director: Lynne Ramsay
Producer: Luc Roeg, Jennifer Fox, Robert Salerno
Screenwriter: Lynne Ramsay, Rory Stewart Kinnear
Distributor: Oscilloscope Pictures
Production Co: BBC Films, UK Film Council
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Violence/Behavior|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 9, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 14, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $487.1K
Runtime: 1h 51m

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