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We Need to Talk About Kevin

Play trailer Poster for We Need to Talk About Kevin R Released Dec 9, 2011 1h 51m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 207 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 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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We Need to Talk About Kevin

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Will P wow that sure was the book but without the interesting and nuanced parts Rated 1 out of 5 stars 06/02/24 Full Review Luis M. D I can only praise the movie’s unconventional, non linear narrative, but many important events are shown in a very oblique manner and that won’t help the average viewer to grasp the facts. The movie allows us to talk about the parents’ responsibility for raising problematic children and ultimately the responsibility of society as a whole. Want to know why so many mass murderers in the US and elsewhere go unnoticed by their parents? That should be a reason to talk about this movie. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/14/24 Full Review Read all reviews
We Need to Talk About Kevin

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Movie Info

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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