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Beasts of the Southern Wild
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Beasts of the Southern Wild

2012
Drama
Fantasy
1h 33m
Hushpuppy, an intrepid six-year-old girl, lives with her father, Wink, in "the Bathtub," a southern Delta community at the edge of the world. Wink's tough love prepares her for the unraveling of the universe; for a time when he's no longer there to protect her. When Wink contracts a mysterious illness, nature flies out of whack--temperatures rise, and the ice caps melt, unleashing an army of prehistoric creatures called aurochs. (sundance.org)
Directed by:
Benh Zeitlin Benh Zeitlin
Written by:
Benh Zeitlin Benh Zeitlin Lucy Alibar
+1 more
Starring:
Quvenzhané Wallis Quvenzhané Wallis Dwight Henry Levy Easterly Gina Montana Pamela Harper Lowell Landes Amber Henry Jonshel Alexander
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Genres:
Drama, Fantasy
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Beasts of the Southern Wild

2012
Drama
Fantasy
1h 33m
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Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 59.58% from 2258 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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kmcneilKMcNeil
Rated 06 Jan 2013
5
43rd
Wildly overrated, pseudo-profound and way too gimmicky indie flick that not only telegraphs its plot and character developments, but also regurgitates simple truths about parent-child relationships, death and loss without any originality. Not once did a character or an event surprise me. This is what you get if you cross "Where The Wild Things Are", "Ballast" and "Treme" and simplify everything. Both Wallis and Henry act their hearts out, mind you, and there is plenty of nifty camerawork.
Rated 06 Jan 2013
ytadelYtadel
Rated 28 Jul 2012
4
43rd
A very strong sense of setting and a powerhouse performance from little Quvenzhané Wallis partially make up for a sleepy narrative and the mildly creepy poverty porn aspect of it. Also, is it just me, or is this movie essentially libertarian propaganda?
Rated 28 Jul 2012
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 19 Jan 2013
54
8th
I have no qualms about calling this good, but it did nothing for me. The film's use of music is exactly what I hate, an overbearing soundtrack that strives to tell the audience exactly how to feel. The cinematography is deliberate, but in a way that doesn't appeal to me, as is the acting. Finally the script is a meandering lethargic mess, with the only moments of clarity coming in the form of Hushpuppy's trite observations about life. I just couldn't bring myself to care about any of it.
Rated 19 Jan 2013
theficionadotheficionado
Rated 28 Jan 2013
37
34th
Somehow belabored and vague in the same sentence. Like Zeitlin saw Malick and decided to replace his lyrical Romanticism with some weird disprivileged-endorsed social Darwinist libertarianism.
Rated 28 Jan 2013
axleblazeaxleblaze
Rated 24 Jun 2012
98
96th
Mad Max told from a little girls perspective, where the disaster that destroyed the world is the disaster that destroyed New Orleans. A film that manages to capture all the shit that happened to happen down there and mix it with the wonder and magic of childhood, where the gaps in the world are filled in by your imagination.
Rated 24 Jun 2012
markjpMArkjp
Rated 28 Dec 2012
85
80th
Just as I thought we were all done with all this end of world crap, this little gem comes a long with a fresh take on things. It's a post apocalytic end of the world film in miniature where magic realism coupled with a wonderful childish and naive narration creates a great frame for the story.It get's a bit too artsy for it's own good towards the end, but that doesn't mean that it isn't one of this years best. Hurricane Katrina meets cajun Whale Rider with a dash of Where The Wild Things Are.
Rated 28 Dec 2012
aneyaney
Rated 11 Dec 2012
45
48th
I appreciate the effort, but this failed to resonate with me. Too uneven.
Rated 11 Dec 2012
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 28 Dec 2013
61
12th
Any film that chooses 2 spend 90 minutes pointing out the nobility a child can find growing up in a wildly unsafe "community" of ignorant, child-endangering alcoholics (whose only discernible legacy is a resiliency forged on neglect & willfully dragging their children through trauma) is profoundly misguided & maddening 2 sit through. Then again, I guess some striking imagery & the filmmakers' obvious resourcefulness is enough 4 most critics 2 disregard all that & heap mountains of praise on this
Rated 28 Dec 2013
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 30 Aug 2015
10
96th
Those who find the simple truths of this movie "pseudo-profound" might want to consider the fact that by the end of the century most of its filming locations will be underwater. With that being said, this movie works on two levels. As a story, it's a fable-like allegory about man's gradual destruction of nature, told through the eyes of a precocious girl. But as a piece of historical significance, it serves to witness, through film, a land and a culture that will sadly but surely disappear.
Rated 30 Aug 2015
henrikHenrik
Rated 02 Jan 2013
85
90th
Light on plot, but heavy on raw, visual poetry.
Rated 02 Jan 2013
aflickeringAFlickering
Rated 15 Jan 2013
2
17th
a film about a child that feels authentically like it was written and directed by that child; hilarious to imagine it canonised next to faulkner or malick(?!), but i'm sure i could find a space for it on my refridgerator door...
Rated 15 Jan 2013
davidblastDavidBlast
Rated 13 Mar 2013
90
93rd
The charming, poetic little sister of 'Winter's Bone', set on the heartbreaking backdrop of post-Katrina New Orleans. Unlike 'Winter's Bone' or perhaps 'The Road', this gentle beast doesn't rub your nose in misery, but rather assumes the magic realist viewpoint of a child. I absolutely adored this movie and move to vote that 'Hushpuppy' is amongst the coolest names for a character in any work of art ever, bested only by Johann Gambolputty.. de von Ausfern .. schplendenschlittecrasscrenbon ......
Rated 13 Mar 2013
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 08 Dec 2012
55
43rd
Closer to Brillante Mendoza's primal anxieties than to Malick's christian/naturalistic poetry, this indie hit features a great social context, honest performances and a brilliant little girl embodying true sorrow and pain -- but this is hardly a good film. Naive storytelling, innocent handheld filmmaking and a conventional plot about a poor family broken into pieces -- mom's-gone, dad-drinks, dreams-and-nightmares-are-my-best-friends -- seem arresting, but also dramatically flat.
Rated 08 Dec 2012
kasperlKasperL
Rated 16 Jan 2013
70
65th
I'm not crazy about films that are light on plot but this one was more than worthwhile for Zeitlin's original voice and unique style. So I'm cool with him getting a Oscar nom. Also, the score was quite good. It's a movie I was impressed with more than drawn in by and one that I'm not inclined to revisit.
Rated 16 Jan 2013
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
Rated 28 Oct 2012
75
65th
An impressive achievement, though despite the wonderful cast (Wallis and Henry are both superb) and great cinematography it is a bit narratively messy and failed to captivate me the way I hoped it would.
Rated 28 Oct 2012
bofbof
Rated 02 Dec 2012
81
86th
Really liked it, a few Hollywoodisms towards the end notwithstanding. An intimate, magical-realist little tale, the bastard child of Tideland and Treme, a story that blurs the line between family drama and full-on apocalypse, where parents try to turn their children into beasts to survive the new, harsher world on the limits of a society that raises walls against itself... Unless you're completely allergic to child actors, see it.
Rated 02 Dec 2012
timmotimmo
Rated 18 Aug 2012
95
88th
Some of the best acting I've ever seen in anything ever. This is basically a perfect film. I hesitate to give it a 100 without seeing it twice, however.
Rated 18 Aug 2012
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 08 Aug 2012
93
93rd
I've never quite seen anything like the vibrant world of this movie. It feels magical and larger than life, but at the same time could be a completely real place today, just viewed through the subjective lens of a child. The father-daughter relationship seems harsh at first, but gradually reveals itself to be more complex, thanks to incredible performances by Wallis and Henry.
Rated 08 Aug 2012
evranaevrana
Rated 03 Jan 2013
77
65th
Maybe this movie has the best capture of that chilling feeling of natural disasters. It makes you tumble down in the wild universe of Hushpuppy's mind, where a Michael Jordan uniform replaces her mother. Towards the end, it becomes a bit incoherent, but overall you leave the movie with very strong emotions, which is a rare achievement in today's film scene. I hope that this won't be "Shining" for Wallis and she continues to act, she exudes charisma and personality.
Rated 03 Jan 2013
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 23 Feb 2013
50
10th
Meandering, unfocused, unnattractively shot film can't make its mind up on what it wants to be -- a rambling docudrama about the day-to-day existence in the bath-tub, or a more concrete narrative about a young girl coming of age. That the girl in question is ultimately too young (as presented) to be capable of processing this journey, the ultimate climax is not the cathartic follow-through necessary to complete the tale. Has its moments (and Wallis is a cute star, if not terribly accomplished).
Rated 23 Feb 2013
worleyjamersworleyjamers
Rated 15 Jan 2013
60
31st
Poetic. There are some brilliant elements on display here; the movie delves into some deep aspects of survival, family, home, and civilization. The film also features some intriguing imagery and symbolism, but those things combined didn't come together as I was led to believe. The film was not emotionally resonant at all (in my opinion). An ambitious directorial debut from Benh Zeitlin, but I do not understand the Oscar nominations (at all). I wasn't impressed by Quvenzhane Wallis's performance.
Rated 15 Jan 2013
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 13 Jun 2020
5
20th
(2nd viewing) A perfect example of a film that blew me away when it came out, only to lose its initial appeal years later. Messy and haphazard and I really felt sorry for that poor girl having to grow up in such a terrible community, with an abusive dad who wouldn't know parenting if it slapped him in his drunk ass face. If a movie about a child's innocence being challenged by the harsh realities of the world is right up your alley, there are definitely better options to seek out.
Rated 13 Jun 2020
filmfreak88filmfreak88
Rated 20 Oct 2013
50
27th
One can hardly dismiss Zeitlin. His debut film is earnest and artfully poetic with its fair share of wonderful visuals. But the film, whether intentional or not is up to debate, seems to actively imply that poverty is some sort of spiritual identity, that choosing to remain impoverished is a noble and brave act, and aspiring for a better, more comfortable life is somehow a form of weak-willed compromise. And in this regard, Beasts is nothing more than exploitative poverty porn.
Rated 20 Oct 2013
nick_hamdenNick Hamden
Rated 02 Jun 2013
40
19th
Wait, guys, stop it. It is a little girl acting like a little girl. That isn't acting. That is to be expected. Stop hyping her right now.
Rated 02 Jun 2013
thesaberfoolTheSaberfool
Rated 22 Jan 2013
59
60th
The opening sequence is easily the most memorable, making a place as awful as "the Bathtub" look like paradise - great cinematography. There are a lot of interesting ideas here, with the coming-of-age fantasy of having to face down the apocalypse in parallel with facing a parent's passing. But the story (what little there is) is too scattered, too loosely constructed to drive the themes home. Performances and cinematography alone do not a masterpiece make.
Rated 22 Jan 2013
thorn969thorn969
Rated 10 Sep 2012
48
44th
Not especially memorable. Very vivid, well done portrayal of poverty in New Orleans, but not much of a story.
Rated 10 Sep 2012
obdurateObdurate
Rated 21 Nov 2012
90
91st
You HAVE to put it down for Wallis, who at such a young age carries the film. Believe me, there's a lot of film to carry: this is a masterfully done work of art. The internal logic and dialogue makes this very poetic, it builds a "fantasy" movie but it's more down to earth. There are no dragons (though there are beasts), but what makes it is the imagination of the world. This is the South like you've never seen. Emotional, complex, driven home by an incredible final 10 or 15 minutes.
Rated 21 Nov 2012
mlightle3mlightle3
Rated 16 Nov 2012
85
70th
I can see why it's being hailed as the next sliced bread, but I found myself restless throughout. But it is good. That's probably a reflection on my attention spam more than the film's quality.
Rated 16 Nov 2012
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 01 Feb 2013
79
66th
A film which left me divided. I loved the look and feel of the first half, and the amazing work the cinematographer and set designers were able to do in such grim surroundings, and also the child's perspective and the work of Q. Wallis. However I felt the narrative became a bit loose and most of the dramatic impact was confined to the first 20 minutes. Also the magical element didn't resonate very strongly with me. Impressive film-making for sure, but a bit of a damp squib for overall impact.
Rated 01 Feb 2013
cinemafan91Cinemafan91
Rated 21 Jul 2012
64
33rd
The acting in this movie is good, but this does not make up for the movie being poorly made, written and filmed. It has a lot of potential, but most is missed other than a few powerful scenes.
Rated 21 Jul 2012
naurunauru
Rated 26 Dec 2012
10
6th
10 points for the lead actress. The rest is just poorly written and goes nowhere. It takes a full hour for anything to happen at all. Fantasy elements are pointless, and while the theme song is nice, the sappiness is pretty grating by the end. Whole budget seems to have been spent on a shallow-depth-of-field camera, so the rest of the film has glaringly low production value. I wanted to like it, but couldn't. At all.
Rated 26 Dec 2012
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 18 Feb 2019
60
48th
Never really clicked for me, and the overly used shaky cam is disorientating. I was impressed with the acting though and despite the flaws it was an ok watch.
Rated 18 Feb 2019
mlpgaffneymlpgaffney
Rated 21 Feb 2013
82
57th
I'm torn. It's a beautiful movie, but I just didn't connect with it the way some of the other people here did. Maybe it's because I'm a through-and-through city boy, but it was really hard for me to believe that people like this still exist - even in the deep south. Again, I'm so conflicted because I usually dig movies like this, but in the end I was left in the cold.
Rated 21 Feb 2013
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 04 Oct 2012
30
7th
filmekimi 2012 & Beasts of the Southern Wild, mainstream Hollywood filmlerine aliskin seyirciyi tatmin edebilen bir film. Filmin seyirciye 'oynayan' bu tavri, filmdeki sosyalizm alt metnini gormemizi engelliyor. Bu nedenle benim icin izlenip unutulacak bir is, hatta zaman kaybi. yonetmenin her dakika gosterisci tavri mide bulandirici.
Rated 04 Oct 2012
rossRoss
Rated 18 Jan 2013
65
64th
The perspective of a small child is a smart angle on this story as it gives Hushpuppy's sad life a more bearable feel. The acting is not impressive, but not necessary either as Wallis' single facial expression is sufficient to get somewhat emotionally invested in her tragedy.
Rated 18 Jan 2013
kojilessKojiless
Rated 25 Nov 2012
91
94th
Needed more aurochs.
Rated 25 Nov 2012
bakcheiabakcheia
Rated 30 Jul 2012
89
83rd
Even though the handheld camera work made me nauseous, this film was incredibly imaginative and beautifully shot. The camerawork provided an intimacy very few films can muster, let alone execute as perfectly as this film did. The actors were more believable than some professionals and Wallis definitely deserves all the accolades she has received. What a knockout performance from a child-star.
Rated 30 Jul 2012
dunder74Dunder74
Rated 04 Feb 2013
9
96th
A truly unique film experience--enganging, poignant, and inspiring--Beasts of the Southern Wild is an absolute must-watch. Wallis' and Henry's performances stand alone as the best of 2012, possibly even among those of all time. Zeitlin impresses with his direction and a magical score, fitting the tone of the film perfectly. As soon as it ended, I wanted to watch it again. Wallis deserves every acting award of the season: Hathaway and Chastain could learn a thing or two from her subtlety.
Rated 04 Feb 2013
stradivariusStradivarius
Rated 10 Jul 2012
84
81st
Imaginative and wonderfully performed, though the direction and editing strays at times.
Rated 10 Jul 2012
wezzoWezzo
Rated 13 Feb 2013
80
49th
A magical movie collage, for better and for worse. It's beautiful, original, and marvellously acted; its unusual structure and pace undoes some of the stellar work, though
Rated 13 Feb 2013
hughpiesseHughpiesse
Rated 25 Mar 2016
65
41st
55
Rated 25 Mar 2016
liquid3600LiQuid3600
Rated 17 Jan 2013
3
11th
Tried really hard to manipulate me but I'm not falling for these tired, old tricks.
Rated 17 Jan 2013
maartenmaarten
Rated 21 Dec 2012
45
32nd
While the portrayal of such poverty in the US is hard to take - but also quite necessary, the writing of the film really is poor on another level. Maybe early reviews and - therefore - my expectations were too high, but it was a general disappointment. Pity it didn't live up to its potential.
Rated 21 Dec 2012
ceruleanblueceruleanblue
Rated 02 Jan 2013
9
70th
Fantastic.
Rated 02 Jan 2013
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 03 Apr 2013
70
53rd
Now I kinda understand those oscar noms...
Rated 03 Apr 2013
damildamil
Rated 12 Feb 2013
70
67th
I didn't quite love this film, but it was really nice. There wasn't a lot of plot, which I wouldn't necessarily mind, but I didn't think it had a cohesive, or particularly deep meaning underneath either. It definitely shined in certain scenes though, particularly because of the young actress playing Hushpuppy. The cinematography was good & I loved the setting. So, yeah, maybe not quite worth all the praise it's been getting, but still a film with a lot of wonder and emotion to it. I enjoyed it.
Rated 12 Feb 2013
mombert89Mombert89
Rated 07 Mar 2015
89
91st
this little girl is going to get stronger and stronger the entire film. its a perfect made movie with a special atmosphere! the inspiration never comes to an end! Thanks
Rated 07 Mar 2015
rufamRufam
Rated 11 Nov 2013
80
85th
Sweeping and magical, "Beasts of the Southern Wild" benefits from Wallis' totally natural performance (Henry is great as well) and newcomer Zeitlin's powerful visual signature (some shots are breathtaking) to become a resonant and unique motion picture.
Rated 11 Nov 2013
walkearthwalkearth
Rated 10 Feb 2013
50
37th
Wallis wasn't as annoying as other child performances that immediately come to mind, but that surely doesn't mean that she deserves an Oscar? The film felt shallow. The plot could easily fit into 30 minutes of screen time instead of 90. The plot progression went nowhere.
Rated 10 Feb 2013
mkellinsmkellins
Rated 20 Jan 2013
55
44th
I don't know what to think of this film. It just feels like under the pretty crust, topped with some great acting, the story is hollow. But the cinematography is quite enjoyable and the acting of the little girl makes the film worth a watch.
Rated 20 Jan 2013
closefriendCloseFriend
Rated 03 Jan 2013
95
97th
In absolutely every sense of the word, an absolutely, stunningly beautiful movie.
Rated 03 Jan 2013
kyriei2kyriei2
Rated 27 May 2020
85
86th
When it all goes quiet behind my eyes, I see everything that made me flying around in invisible pieces.
Rated 27 May 2020
sopachuco13sopachuco13
Rated 22 Apr 2021
90
84th
I loved the mix of fantasy and reality in this drama. The girl Hushpuppy, played by Wallis, was sublime. I usually don't like child actors but she was strong. Every moment of her on screen was powerful, even her voice over throughout the movie felt like it had so much experience filling each line of dialog. The rest of the cast was equally wonderful. Her father Wink was a flawed character but he was doing the best he could raising this little girl. I was swept away by this story. A must watch.
Rated 22 Apr 2021
stuie299stuie299
Rated 23 Feb 2013
70
31st
Technically this film is amazing. The shaky cam gets a little annoying but otherwise the cinematography was great. For me the thing that really stops me from loving this film is the character of Hushpuppy. Quvenzhane Wallis gives a superb performance that's only magnified by her age. The problem lies with how much the plot hinges on her character. By the end of the movie the whole "as seen by an endearing 6 year old" shtick gets a little tiresome.
Rated 23 Feb 2013
jodamicojodamico
Rated 24 Dec 2012
84
93rd
It makes all the apocalyptic fiction beating up the streets seem so CHILDISH. Loving, smart, and beautiful.
Rated 24 Dec 2012
cowfrappecowfrappe
Rated 20 Sep 2012
91
99th
A brilliant, soaring, visionary film with an astounding performance by 6-year-old Wallis. A new kind of film vocabulary.
Rated 20 Sep 2012
qtpiqtpi
Rated 02 Mar 2013
8
84th
A marriage of vivid visuals and moving music. And for a film so concerned with aesthetics, even its script and story are gripping and filled with pathos.
Rated 02 Mar 2013
icybrianIcyBrian
Rated 24 Feb 2013
74
53rd
Beautifully shot with some great imagery and a setting that becomes the strongest character in the film. I can't say I connected with it as emotionally as I would have liked, but it certainly kept me engaged.
Rated 24 Feb 2013
poydflinkPoydflink
Rated 28 Mar 2013
90
90th
I didn't think the film tried to endorse some "libertarian" point of view, and maybe that's why I enjoyed it so much in comparison to other people. Great acting, touching story done well and great score.
Rated 28 Mar 2013
johnsandwichJohnSandwich
Rated 23 Dec 2012
55
31st
Promising debut, some nice shots and good performances, especially the little girl of course. But it didn't really work all that well for me as a whole.
Rated 23 Dec 2012
emtiltemtilt
Rated 25 Jul 2012
87
91st
Quite a moving film. The kids' acting is rightly praised - some of the best child-acting that I've ever seen. And the score is perfect. Really original.
Rated 25 Jul 2012
k_paxk-pax
Rated 15 Feb 2013
90
86th
I'm so sorry for all film festival that disregarded this perfect movie! it's the best movie of 2012
Rated 15 Feb 2013
dwyerdwyer
Rated 12 Feb 2014
89
89th
It is not a movie that needs figuring out. It is a movie that only requires us to get to know its characters, as Hushpuppy wishes: “In a million years, when kids go to school, they gonna know: Once there was a Hushpuppy, and she lived with her daddy in The Bathtub.”
Rated 12 Feb 2014
quez2goquez2go
Rated 30 Aug 2012
92
94th
This is an incredible, moving film.
Rated 30 Aug 2012
sebbysebby
Rated 29 Dec 2012
65
58th
There's a lot to like, but virtually none of that is contained in the actual story being told.
Rated 29 Dec 2012
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 08 Jan 2013
75
26th
Not really my kind of thing, but it works mostly because of the excellent visuals and Quvenzhane Wallis' performance. It's not Kramer vs Kramer, Paper Moon, Moonrise Kingdom good, but I can definitely see why a six year old had some Oscar buzz.
Rated 08 Jan 2013
burrrburrr
Rated 30 May 2018
82
60th
79.50+2 = 81.50.
Rated 30 May 2018
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 22 Dec 2012
70
79th
Some fairly stunning acting and cinematography really drew me in. I don't know if it warrants the high rating here, but first impression left me thinking. Will need a re-watch.
Rated 22 Dec 2012
worstcasesceworstcasesce
Rated 03 Aug 2012
1
0th
Beasts of the Southern Wild is a stunner of a directorial debut, a sad yet hopeful story of a young girl learning to confront ends - the end of their way of life, of the world as she knows it, of many things. The prologue is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen and Quvenzhané is brilliant as Hushpuppy, displaying such inner strength and poise for a girl of such a young age. Deserving of an oscar nod at less than 10 years of age. Refreshes your love of film. Score is not a grade.
Rated 03 Aug 2012
stewballStewball
Rated 24 Jul 2012
80
80th
This one is really different, which is excellent for the most part. It looks exactly like a documentary mostly because the cast has little or no experience as professional actors and they live in the part of the world depicted--including the two main characters, Hushpuppy and her father, Wink. The story is set in an extreme part of the delta at a place they call the "Bathtub". They get around in a "boat" made out of the bed of a pickup using 55 gal. drums for flotation. Loaded with Cajun/Delta c
Rated 24 Jul 2012
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 11 Mar 2013
82
86th
Quvenzhané Wallis was just adorable in this kid point of view story at the edge of the world. Cinematography fills the blanks of partial amateurish acting. But the little girl bet them all. The story was a bit short though. The first half was imagine.
Rated 11 Mar 2013
kavuKavu
Rated 15 Jan 2013
85
85th
Beautiful cinematography, great acting and a decent story.
Rated 15 Jan 2013
robertaRoberta
Rated 24 Oct 2013
85
91st
Miss Wallis is a truly acting beast in a wonderful sense,
Rated 24 Oct 2013
jessjess125Jessjess125
Rated 10 Aug 2022
85
59th
This is a smart people movie, sometimes it works for me, sometimes not. Beautifully filmed though.
Rated 10 Aug 2022
zarkonZarkon
Rated 09 Jul 2012
93
94th
Perhaps the best coming of age film -- though it's much more than that -- since The Last Picture Show and Stand By Me. Poetic imagery together with great acting by Wallis and Henry make this very-much-Sundance-bait movie into a powerful work of cinema.
Rated 09 Jul 2012
ryan_luedersRyan Lueders
Rated 04 Dec 2012
61
16th
I really didn't love this film. I thought my wife and I would love it since she comes from a Louisiana background but the movie was just pretty flat. I did think that the little girl "Hushpuppy" did a great job for how little she was. Plus that nickname is just about the cutest thing ever for a little girl. The film had some very beautiful shots but sadly as a whole piece it left me wondering why I even watched it. It just had some boring parts and even though it was short, it felt really long.
Rated 04 Dec 2012
badcosmonautBadCosmonaut
Rated 24 Jan 2024
1
1st
Hold the fucking camera steady! 'But but but we want it to be like you're really there! Like it's a documentary!' FUCK YOU. A documentary crew would try to hold the camera as steady as possible even if they had to run around, and if I was really there in person then my head wouldn't be bobbing around all over the place. Our bodies stabilize our heads and our vision. Directors who do this on purpose are brain dead morons who ruin their own film. FUCK THIS DIRECTOR.
Rated 24 Jan 2024
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 11 Nov 2015
76
69th
Quvenzhané Wallis sure is a force of nature. The plot does lack narrative thrust despite lots of interesting subtext. Dunno if it's deliberately fragmented or just slightly incoherent but mostly it seems to wallow in a lovely & relaxed magical realist atmosphere. I don't want to undersell that and I did enjoy the serene & lyrical storytelling. This kind of stuff worked perhaps better in Zeitlin's short film "Glory at Sea" which seems to take place in a similar post-Katarina universe.
Rated 11 Nov 2015
walkaboutwalkabout
Rated 28 Sep 2012
85
94th
A miraculous film!
Rated 28 Sep 2012
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 08 Jan 2018
80
68th
I loved this in fits and starts: sometimes it repelled me, but other times I was tearing up. And then the Elysian Fields sequence knocked me off my seat, so I think we'll call that a win on the movie's part. By the way, a note to cinematographers: please avoid super shallow focus when you're shooting on 16mm film stock, you're liable to turn your frame into an eye-straining blur of grain and HD compression..
Rated 08 Jan 2018
ratedarghratedargh
Rated 08 Dec 2012
80
65th
I'm not as enamored by it as many people have been, but I certainly was affected by it. It's a fever dream/nightmare treating New Orleans as a post-apoclyptic waste. It's a fascinating film that is as creative as they come and has made Zeitlin a director to watch. It struggles with repetition but the magic of Hushpuppy's imagination carries the film a long way. *Slight Update* I haven't been able to shake it. It lingers. I was telling someone about it and was getting increasingly more excited.
Rated 08 Dec 2012
bojanglesBojangles
Rated 21 Jan 2013
65
69th
Nice music and great voiceover. The best sounding movie of 2012. Sounds like Days of Heaven, looks like Cloverfield. The operator couldn't get steady footing b/c his feet kept sinking into the swamp. Grittiness ensues. I know I'm being a prick here, but it really prevented the movie from being truly great. Just...fuck shaky cam.
Rated 21 Jan 2013
baffobaffo
Rated 23 Mar 2013
40
17th
Great actress and all, but the story does not hold together. Rambling, disconnected, overplays the cute magic dreamy child card.
Rated 23 Mar 2013
dalbozDalboz
Rated 13 Feb 2013
85
85th
Based on a play, it follows a community of bayou dwellers being displaced by a massive flood, told from the perspective of a young girl. It's infuriating, heart-breaking, beautiful, and a bit confusing. It's an art movie that shows real-world tragedy, which is good and bad. There are times that you can't tell if something is real or a representation of an abstract. It's beautiful in its confusion at times, but it can still be confusing nonetheless. Worthy of it's Oscar nominations.
Rated 13 Feb 2013
zealot185Zealot185
Rated 30 Dec 2012
66
48th
Feels like a documentary, similar to the feel of Malick's work, and therefore the performances of these unknown actors are incredibly genuine and refreshing. By telling it from the child's perspective, the fantasy elements blend into the story seamlessly. But regardless of its merits, it drags and does get boring for a large portion.
Rated 30 Dec 2012
lexlex
Rated 24 Apr 2013
85
67th
One of those movies that mark the arrival of a new, creative, directorial talent (provided he can follow up on it). Beasts is unique in its arresting visuals (which vary from colorful fireworks to post-apocalyptic landscapes) creating a surreal and emotional experience as well as implementing some of the finest musical pieces I've heard in film for some time. It's a shame that it can be a bit messy (especially in the final half hour) but luckily its greatness is measured on many other merits.
Rated 24 Apr 2013
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 08 Jan 2013
74
63rd
Benh Zeitlin's film is a fantastical experience---his visual poetry and leading young lady deliver more than enough lasting power. If there is a deeper meaning to be ground out here, then unfortunately, I was left unaffected by individuals who refuse help from the mainland. Is this poverty for the sake of poverty? Perhaps that's why the movie must be carried though the eyes of a young girl---mince the reality, fiction and drama into a powerful force, and for that, the film works wildly.
Rated 08 Jan 2013
bownBown
Rated 04 Jun 2013
70
23rd
What happened in this movie again? I genuinely forgot. Shit. I remember nothing about almost the entire middle. But it was quite good. I guess don't star this.
Rated 04 Jun 2013
kramyessevKramYessev
Rated 06 Nov 2012
79
85th
I think the hype killed this for me. I went in expecting a tear-jerking fantasy adventure (for whatever reason) but what I got was an engaging but often bleak coming of age story with one of the best performances from a child actor ever committed to celluloid. If blehblehbleh Wallis doesn't win a plethora of awards, I'ma be pissed.
Rated 06 Nov 2012
yoohooyoohoo
Rated 29 Jan 2013
95
97th
One of the best movies I have ever seen. The characters and the emotion in this movie are so realistic it's hard to believe it isn't a true story. Acting was spot on, camerawork was beautiful. Only Kooyanisqatsi has a better accompanying score, which says a lot. The story itself was so realistic on so many levels. Very impressed.
Rated 29 Jan 2013
m3tanm3tan
Rated 28 Dec 2014
30
19th
I didn't get it at all. Silly fantasy meets Rabbit Proof Fence packaged as a contrived and trite indy flick. I kept falling asleep and gave up after a half dozen attempts to finish...
Rated 28 Dec 2014
judo_koalaJudo Koala
Rated 20 Jan 2013
75
53rd
One of the strangest and most inventive films to come out in years, fitting into that difficult-to-master category of magic realism. Ironic, then, that Zeitlin is able to do so with such apparent ease in what is his cinematic debut. Gorgeous imagery and a beautiful soundtrack meld into a film that is as mysterious as it is emotionally powerful. I understand some may find the exposition to be too much--and I might agree--but it's hard to not celebrate originality in an age of sequels and remakes.
Rated 20 Jan 2013
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 05 Dec 2012
8
80th
Score pending as this is a unique watch. Gonna have to do a rewatch or two to take it all in. Just somethign totally out there and rather moving. How good Wallis is can't be stressed enough, shes is just amazing.
Rated 05 Dec 2012
noncuronon_curo
Rated 04 Aug 2013
78
37th
overrated
Rated 04 Aug 2013
florvdeFlorVdE
Rated 21 Dec 2012
1
17th
Well acted, but poorly written. The story wanders around quite aimlessly and lacks interesting characters aside from the 5 year old lead actress. Fantasy elements feel pointless. The soundtrack is really beautiful though.
Rated 21 Dec 2012
carsonwidCarsonWid
Rated 28 Jan 2013
75
75th
Interesting.
Rated 28 Jan 2013
filliganFilligan
Rated 29 Aug 2012
92
85th
Powerfully touches on a wide range of concepts from free will to environmental stability to the universe entire. Wallis is a big presence for such a little girl - she virtually carries the whole film on the shoulders of her performance. Family, home, pain, love, loss are all captured in a profoundly unique way through the perspective of The Bathtub and Hush Puppy; a highly recommended emotional adventure.
Rated 29 Aug 2012
3drevelation3dRevelation
Rated 22 Aug 2013
76
69th
Certainly more entrancing than I expected. Wallis could probably out act seasoned veterans. The story is sound, and the score fits it perfectly. Definitely looking forward to Zeitlin's future endeavors.
Rated 22 Aug 2013
hsncrspywlhsncrspywl
Rated 22 Dec 2012
81
67th
Gilliam meets the bayou and David Simon. Is there anything more you could ask for from a fantasy film? Excellent performances, a fantastic score, and a great universe where the world feels a million miles away from reality yet at the same time very close to the realities many people face. At the same time I enjoy how the film doesn't judge the characters or their lifestyle and just asks us to take the good with the bad. A lot of stuff I'm sure I missed - good excuse to watch again.
Rated 22 Dec 2012
burkayadaligburkayadalig
Rated 03 Jan 2013
76
55th
definitely something fresh...a few powerful moments but also lots of metaphors that dont add much to the storytelling. Im not a fan of the shaky shoulder cam...
Rated 03 Jan 2013

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