A disgraced member of the Russian military police investigates a series of child murders during the Stalin-era Soviet Union.A disgraced member of the Russian military police investigates a series of child murders during the Stalin-era Soviet Union.A disgraced member of the Russian military police investigates a series of child murders during the Stalin-era Soviet Union.
- Director
- Writers
- Richard Price(screenplay)
- Tom Rob Smith(novel)
- Johan Melin(uncredited)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Richard Price(screenplay)
- Tom Rob Smith(novel)
- Johan Melin(uncredited)
- Stars
- Awards
- 2 nominations
Videos8
- Director
- Writers
- Richard Price(screenplay)
- Tom Rob Smith(novel)
- Johan Melin(uncredited)
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
- All cast & crew
Storyline
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. —Arnold
- Taglines
- How do you find a killer who doesn't exist?
- Genres
- Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
- Rated R for violence, some disturbing images, language and a scene of sexuality
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaThe film was banned in Russia shortly after receiving the screening license.
- GoofsMother of the killed boy says he was Leo's godson. This implies a religious affiliation, which in Stalinist times would have been an impossible thing to a high ranking officer of the Soviet army/militia.
- Quotes
Leo Demidov: If you are so innocent, why do you run? Hmm?
Anatoly Tarasovich Brodsky: That's a very good question. I run because you were following me. When you are followed, you are arrested. And when you are arrested, you are already guilty. So you tell me, why did I run?
Top review
Better Than I Expected...
OK, so before I watched this movie, I was reading reviews online and saw so many horrible reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gave it like 27%, so I thought this movie was going to be a disaster.
Luckily, it wasn't so.
Now, I'm not going to get into the propaganda and all that or how they got their facts and history wrong and stuff. American (and other nations) movies bend stories to their bias all the time, so we've come to take what we see with a grain of salt.
All I'll say is this:
If like me, you're a Tom Hardy fan and you're watching Children 44 because you can't get enough of Tom Hardy's acting, then you're actually in for a treat as you watch the guy attempt to handle his role as a Russian anti-hero quite successfully.
In fact, generally the acting from the cast was great. Gary Oldman didn't have much screen time but he was excellent as always.
The plot and many parts however, had their flaws, convenient plot devices and "Why the hell would he do that??!!!" moments. These, in my opinion, are the downside to this movie.
On a whole, this movie is definitely worth a watch for the appreciation of how some of our favorite actors and actresses handled their respective roles in Child 44.
And if you don't want to get your panties in a bunch over how this or that wasn't portrayed accurately, watch with an open mind, and you may actually enjoy this movie like I did.
Luckily, it wasn't so.
Now, I'm not going to get into the propaganda and all that or how they got their facts and history wrong and stuff. American (and other nations) movies bend stories to their bias all the time, so we've come to take what we see with a grain of salt.
All I'll say is this:
If like me, you're a Tom Hardy fan and you're watching Children 44 because you can't get enough of Tom Hardy's acting, then you're actually in for a treat as you watch the guy attempt to handle his role as a Russian anti-hero quite successfully.
In fact, generally the acting from the cast was great. Gary Oldman didn't have much screen time but he was excellent as always.
The plot and many parts however, had their flaws, convenient plot devices and "Why the hell would he do that??!!!" moments. These, in my opinion, are the downside to this movie.
On a whole, this movie is definitely worth a watch for the appreciation of how some of our favorite actors and actresses handled their respective roles in Child 44.
And if you don't want to get your panties in a bunch over how this or that wasn't portrayed accurately, watch with an open mind, and you may actually enjoy this movie like I did.
helpful•5955
- landingwiz
- Apr 16, 2015
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Номер 44
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $50,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,224,330
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $621,812
- Apr 19, 2015
- Gross worldwide
- $12,951,093
- Runtime2 hours 17 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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