FFFA: We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

We Need to Talk About Kevin

“★★★★★ A brilliantly extreme parable, operatically pessimistic.” – The Guardian

“★★★★ As a portrait of a deteriorating state of mind, We Need to Talk About Kevin is a masterful film.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Lynne Ramsay’s chilling adaptation of Lionel Shriver’s prize-winning 2003 novel examines the age-old debate around nature versus nurture as it applies to the creation of a psychopathic child.

Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton) is a travel writer who was once a bohemian, free-spirited globetrotter. At some point along life’s path, she married and settled down with Franklin (John C. Reilly), moving to the suburbs for his work and reluctantly becoming a mother of two. Her oldest, Kevin, is a handful from day one, and appears to be actively hostile towards his mother but loving to his father.

When Kevin commits an unspeakable act of violence, Eva is forced to reflect on her life, Kevin’s upbringing, and the terrifying and unanswerable questions of her implication in his actions.

With a throbbing score by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and visionary cinematography by Seamus McGarvey (Atonement), this Palme d’Or-nominated film is a creeping, jaw-dropping horror film about a parent’s worst nightmare.

Festivals & Awards
Cannes Film Festival 2011 – Nominee, Palme d’Or
British Independent Film Awards 2011 – Winner, Best Director
Golden Globes 2012 – Nominee, Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama (Tilda Swinton)

Rating

MA15+

Duration

113 min

Country

United Kingdom, United States

Language

English

Cast

Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller

Director

Lynne Ramsay