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We Need to Talk About Kevin

Play trailer Poster for We Need to Talk About Kevin R 2011 1h 51m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 208 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Eva Khatchadourian is a travel writer/publisher who gives up her beloved freedom and Bohemian lifestyle to have a child with her husband, Franklin. 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 into a sociopathic teen, Eva is forced to deal with the aftermath of her son's horrific act.
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We Need to Talk About Kevin

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 08/31/2018
It may be one of those pesky films that is awful to watch but is worth watching all the same. Oh, dear. Go to Full Review
David Thomson The New Republic 06/19/2013
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. Go to Full Review
Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer 03/09/2012
2.5/4
Fragmented, dreamlike, a whir of memories and misery, We Need to Talk About Kevin is unsettling, but also somehow unnecessary. Go to Full Review
Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 9
2/5
Despite all the undeniable talent on the screen, the story itself fails to address any of the questions it raises about the darker parts of being a parent. Go to Full Review
Michael Leader Den of Geek 05/09/2024
4/5
Tilda Swinton and Ezra Miller both give exceptional performances in the film of Lionel Shriver's We Need To Talk About Kevin. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 10/04/2022
3.5/4
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Santiago C @framesanty 2d Es una pelicula sumamente rara y eso la convierte en algo genial. Un guion diferente pero a la vez esperable. La actuación de Tilda Swinton no decepciona en lo absoluto, te hace sentir desesperado, conectado y hasta miserable. Es una pelicula que vale la pena ver en silencio, en tu casa, sin comida y sin acompañantes preferiblemente. See more Michaellle B @Michael120 Dec 22 I respect what We Need to Talk About Kevin is trying to do, but it didn’t work for me. I found Kevin as a character more irritating than compelling, and the film’s insistence on his importance felt self-satisfied rather than insightful. The tone kept me at a distance instead of drawing me in. While the mother’s character had moments of nuance, the overall experience felt alienating rather than engaging. See more H B Dec 22 I thought it was so good, the child actor did an incredible job and it was just the right amount of creepy. See more Cristina B Nov 16 The acting was good. It is a relevant and difficult subject and the critique of sensationalism in the media was thin and obvious, but dead on. The faultless and interesting, crisp scenography, carries the audience through the mercifully short run itme. The climactic and final scenes I found rather hokey and rather light on the dialogue. The writing is a bit predictable and the vintage soundtrack was painfully indie. See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Nov 4 We Need to Talk About Kevin is one of those films that tends to divide audiences right down the middle. Directed by Lynne Ramsay and starring Tilda Swinton and a young Ezra Miller, it’s a haunting psychological drama that examines the complexities of motherhood, guilt, and the aftermath of tragedy. On a technical level, the film is well-made and visually striking, but from a storytelling standpoint, it often feels uneven, confusing, and emotionally disjointed. Tilda Swinton gives a powerhouse performance as Eva, a mother grappling with the horrifying actions of her son Kevin. She embodies that cold, withdrawn pain that only deepens as the story unfolds. However, while her acting is undeniably strong, the screenplay doesn’t always support her character’s emotional journey. Much of the film jumps back and forth in time, making it difficult to piece together what’s actually happening, and instead of feeling suspenseful, the structure comes off as unnecessarily fragmented. Ezra Miller, as Kevin, delivers a chilling performance, especially given his age at the time. He captures Kevin’s manipulative, unsettling nature with precision. Yet even with his strong portrayal, the movie still feels hollow because it doesn’t give enough insight into why Kevin behaves the way he does. The emotional connection between mother and son—which should have been the core of the story—feels lost beneath the stylized direction and heavy symbolism. John C. Reilly, who plays the father, feels miscast. His presence doesn’t blend well with the tone of the film. He brings a warmth and slightly comedic energy that completely clashes with the otherwise bleak and psychological nature of the story. It’s not that Reilly isn’t talented, but here, his performance feels out of place, which only adds to the imbalance of the movie’s tone. The biggest issue with We Need to Talk About Kevin lies in its screenplay and pacing. It’s confusing, overly ambitious, and at times, so abstract that it becomes hard to emotionally connect with. Ramsay’s direction feels self-indulgent in moments, relying more on mood and metaphor than coherent storytelling. What should have been a deeply emotional, gut-wrenching film instead becomes an artistic puzzle that few will have the patience to piece together. At the end of the day, while the film earned critical praise and awards recognition, it’s not a movie that resonates with everyone. Some may appreciate its artistry and disturbing atmosphere, but for others—like myself—it feels cold, messy, and overrated. If you’re looking for a movie with clear emotional payoff or engaging storytelling, We Need to Talk About Kevin probably won’t deliver. It’s a dark, disorienting experience that might intrigue a niche audience but fails to reach its full potential as a compelling psychological drama. See more Mason M Aug 20 I've been really wanting to get into the works of Lynne Ramsay lately so this was my first experience with one of her films. And though it took a little bit of time to grow on me, I was really impressed with We Need to Talk About Kevin. Though I don't fully get how this is horror, this film was riveting, immersive, and thrilling in a great way. The writing of the plotline was great and the dialogue was ingeniously written. What really stands out most to me in this film was Lynne Ramsay's direction. The photography is beautiful, the performances were incredible, the soundtrack was amazing. The scene composition especially in this film was really stunning. The way Ramsay chose to shoot certain scenes was unlike anything I've seen any other director come up with. I haven't read the book, so I don't know how much of this was the book's work. And the three leads, especially Ezra Miller, all were perfect for their parts and gave incredible performances. Ramsay does an incredible job bringing this cold story to life, and I'm definitely looking forward to checking out the rest of her filmography. See more Read all reviews
We Need to Talk About Kevin

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Movie Info

Synopsis Eva Khatchadourian is a travel writer/publisher who gives up her beloved freedom and Bohemian lifestyle to have a child with her husband, Franklin. 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 into a sociopathic teen, 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
UK Film Council, BBC Films
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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