12 Years a Slave | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

95% Tomatometer 380 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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12 Years a Slave | Rotten Tomatoes (1) 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 12 Years a Slave | Rotten Tomatoes (2) 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 12 Years a Slave | Rotten Tomatoes (3) 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 12 Years a Slave | Rotten Tomatoes (4) 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 12 Years a Slave | Rotten Tomatoes (5) 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 12 Years a Slave | Rotten Tomatoes (6) 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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Breno G Special Effects: 1,0/Sound Effects: 1,0/Acting: 1,0/Story: 2,0 Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/13/24 Full Review Audience Member Unbelievable film amazing acting! Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/15/24 Full Review Jeremi L One the best script ive seen, this movie really gives you emotion (from hate, laugh, joy, sadness)... really deep story and the actors were 10/10 Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/14/24 Full Review James B good film hard to watch and depressing good acting Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/13/24 Full Review Lukas K This showcase of absolute human cruelty will leave you speach-less and devastated. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/26/24 Full Review Eye C A really difficult movie to watch, but great crafted. Kudos for this Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o it is superb her interpretation. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/26/24 Full Review Read all reviews

12 Years a Slave

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Cast & Crew

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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Synopsis 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.

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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12 Years a Slave | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)
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