Sep. 28, 2011|United Kingdom | United States|113 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;Thriller
Description: The 2011 film “We Need to Talk About Kevin” follows the story of Eva Khatchadourian, a former travel writer living in isolation near a prison where her son, Kevin, is incarcerated. Struggling with the hostility of her neighbors, Eva reflects on Kevin’s troubled upbringing. From a young age, Kevin appears detached and difficult, often antagonizing his mother. Eva, a reluctant parent, finds it hard to bond with him and frequently loses her temper. As an infant, Kevin cries incessantly, but only in her presence. As he grows, he resists basic tasks like toilet training and rejects her attempts at affection, behaving lovingly only when his father, Franklin, is around. After a heated moment, Eva throws Kevin against a wall, breaking his arm, but Kevin manipulates the situation by claiming he fell.
Franklin consistently dismisses Eva’s concerns about Kevin’s behavior. During a fever, Eva reads Kevin the story of Robin Hood, and for the first time, Kevin shows her affection. Inspired, Franklin gifts him a bow and arrow, teaching him archery. Later, the couple has a second child, Celia, who is cheerful and lively. Kevin, however, displays jealousy and disdain toward her. When Celia’s pet guinea pig goes missing, Eva discovers its remains in the garbage disposal. Soon after, Celia is accidentally blinded in one eye by drain cleaner while under Kevin’s supervision. Eva suspects Kevin’s involvement, but Franklin defends him, straining their marriage. Over time, Eva becomes increasingly fearful of her son as she notices signs of his growing sadism.
The film explores themes of motherhood, guilt, and the complexities of familial relationships, delving into the psychological dynamics between Eva and Kevin.
Cast director: Lynne Ramsay
Cast actor: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller, Jasper Newell, Rock Duer, Ashley Gerasimovich, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Alex Manette, Kenneth Franklin, Leslie Lyles
Original name: We Need to Talk About Kevin