Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Xavier Atkins | ... | Young Leo Demidov | |
Mark Lewis Jones | ... | Tortoise | |
Tom Hardy | ... | Leo Demidov | |
Joel Kinnaman | ... | Vasili | |
Fares Fares | ... | Alexei Andreyev | |
Karel Dobrý | ... | Photographer | |
Noomi Rapace | ... | Raisa Demidov | |
Agnieszka Grochowska | ... | Nina Andreyeva | |
Petr Vanek | ... | Fyodor | |
Jana Stryková | ... | Mara | |
Jason Clarke | ... | Anatoly Tarasovich Brodsky | |
Ursina Lardi | ... | Zina Gubinova | |
Michael Nardone | ... | Semyon Okun | |
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Jemma O'Brien | ... | Elena Okun |
Lottie Steer | ... | Tamara Okun |
Based on the first of a trilogy by Tom Rob Smith and set in the Stalin era of the Soviet Union. The plot is about an idealistic pro-Stalin security officer who decides to investigate a series of child murders in a country where supposedly this sort of crime doesn't exist. The state would not hear of the existence of a child murderer let alone a serial killer. He gets demoted and exiled but decides, with just the help of his wife, to continue pursuing the case. Written by Arnold
Excellent opportunity to lose yourself in a brilliantly multifaceted, deftly crafted story about love, war, politics, serial-killers, violence, loyalty, betrayal, tenderness, and back again. And again. New every time. Fresh, like running water, the story keeps you guessing throughout, and yet at the same time it feels oddly familiar, a bit like seeing your own reflection in the mirror for the very first time. Acting? Seamless. The entire cast, not just the ever so captivating leads. Not one false note amongst the lot. I vote Child 44 should receive the much coveted Collective Oscar Award 2016. Direction? What direction? Surely, the story just went and told its spellbinding self. By itself. Daniel who? And as for the cinematography, the look and feel of this film was authentic and distinctive enough for me to actually look up the DP's name: Oliver Wood. Who's probably just another genius on board of Child 44. Could go on, but think this more than covers the IMDb's suspiciously lofty demand for a mini-essay. Hope you enjoy watching Child 44 as much as I did.