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12 Years a Slave

Play trailer2:29Poster for 12 Years a SlaveRReleased Oct 18, 20132h 14mHistoryDramaBiographyPlay Trailer Watchlist
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95%Tomatometer 377 Reviews 90%Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon's life forever.
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12 Years a Slave

12 Years a Slave

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Critics Consensus

It's far from comfortable viewing, but 12 Years a Slave's unflinchingly brutal look at American slavery is also brilliant -- and quite possibly essential -- cinema.

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Critics Reviews

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Nijla Mu'min Bitch Media Director McQueen, drawing on the visual aesthetic of his previous works Shame and Hunger, never shies away from frames that capture the ways that beauty exists in the most painful situations. Jan 20, 2021 Full Review J. Hoberman Harper's Magazine 12 Years a Slave is, like The Trial, a trapdoor over the abyss. Although less abrupt than Kafka's novel, the movie wastes little time before plunging its viewer into a nightmare of dehumanization. Mar 4, 2018 Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Ambitious, honest and horrifying all at once, 12 Years a Slave may not be the easiest film to watch more than once, but it will stay with you forever once you see it. Rated: A Sep 6, 2017 Full Review JD Duran InSession Film Steve McQueen brought it to life and didn’t hold back from intensity this story has at its foundation. Incredible performances from Chewitel Ejifor and Lupita Nyong’o carry this film. Aug 13, 2024 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand What’s most impressive about the film is the way it shows how slavery distorts humanity on all levels. Mar 8, 2024 Full Review Mark Johnson Awards Daily A searing and thought-provoking portrait of pre-Civil War American slavery... 12 Years a Slave is an absorbing and divinely crafted film, even if it is a brutal watch. Jun 14, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Blu B All Time Classic and a deserving Best Picture Winner. The acting is excellent. Ejiofor does an excellent job along with everyone with amazing physical acting as well. Solomon is a great vessel to take us into a different time, place, and world. When we see brutality or things that just seem foreign to us his emotional response is exactly what we would have seeing it for the first time just like him. It's something I thought was a really nice touch. Fassbender is amazing as the villian and truly dispicable. I appreciate how Cumberbatch's character showed not every single white slave owner was a monster as well. And that's something I appreciate how it doesn't make the people involved with slavery so bad and evil that they come off as cartoonish. The cinematography is first rate as well. The direction is really good, the production, sets, costumes are first rate and truly make you feel your back in the 1840's. This is a brutal film to watch pretty much from the moment Solomon is whipped and never lets up. It's a slow burn brutal journey that is unrelenting in showing the brutality and compassion of people in the South. This makes the pacing excellent though. Everything else is really good. Once he's sold to Fassbender it can feel like stuff just happens a bit before coming back to him trying to get a letter out. But the relationship building with others, the exploration of the morality of slavery, and culture of the South is so layered and so well done it carries through those moments easily. The folk music and cinematic tracks are excellent too and blend perfectly. the songs the slaves sing are super catchy and memorable also. Everyone should give this a try once. I can't state enough though this is a brutal film to watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars03/30/25 Full Review Finn S Such an amazing movie about history. It is an extreme shame what people in America did the African American people. Rated 5 out of 5 stars03/26/25 Full Review Stephen L A masterpiece of visual storytelling and emotional gravity. 12 Years a Slave doesn’t wallow in sadness - it illuminates, disturbs and ultimately uplifts. Steve McQueen directs with a painter’s eye and a surgeon’s precision, letting scenes breathe while never letting them drift. Chiwetel Ejiofor is quietly devastating in the lead role, anchoring the film with dignity and restraint. Michael Fassbender’s portrayal of raw, unhinged brutality adds a visceral layer of menace that lingers. Every frame feels earned, every moment lands with weight. It’s not just great cinema - it’s required viewing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars03/24/25 Full Review Dvc F Powerful story hands down the acting is sensational this well done movie deserves praise on all counts it is a must see have this masterpiece in your library Rated 5 out of 5 stars03/23/25 Full Review Jacob B An angry film made by an angry filmmaker. Just like Mel Gibson seemed more interested in the torture of Jesus than in the teachings of the prophet, McQueen seems more interested in making torture porn than saying anything interesting or original about slavery in America. The overrated darling of film critics seems to mistake uncomfortable, gory violence for saying something profound. A big budget, award begging slog of a film. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars03/10/25 Full Review Leprechaun K Once in a blue moon, a movie comes along that becomes an instant classic. A powerful biopic that contrasts humanity and evil with exceptional performances by an outstanding cast. Rated 5 out of 5 stars03/04/25 Full Review Read all reviews
12 Years a Slave

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Cast & Crew

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Steve McQueen

Director

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Solomon Northup

Michael Fassbender

Edwin Epps

Benedict Cumberbatch

William Ford

Paul Dano

Tibeats

Garret Dillahunt

Armsby

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12 Years a Slave

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Movie Info

SynopsisIn the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon's life forever.
Director
Steve McQueen
Producer
Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Bill Pohlad, Steve McQueen, Arnon Milchan, Anthony Katagas
Screenwriter
John Ridley
Distributor
Fox Searchlight
Production Co
River Road, New Regency Pictures, Plan B Entertainment
Rating
R (Some Nudity|Brief Sexuality|Violence/Cruelty)
Genre
History, Drama, Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 18, 2013, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jan 17, 2014
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 31, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$56.7M
Runtime
2h 14m
Sound Mix
Datasat, Dolby Digital
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