The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

Steven, a charismatic surgeon, is forced to make an unthinkable sacrifice after his life starts to fall apart, when the behavior of a teenage boy he has taken under his wing turns sinister.

Director:

Yorgos Lanthimos

Writers:

Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthymis Filippou

Stars:

Barry G. Bernson, Herb Caillouet, Bill Camp

4 wins & 36 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Barry G. Bernson	...	Dr. Larry Banks
Herb Caillouet	...	Ed Thompson (Hospital Director)
Bill Camp	...	Matthew Williams
Raffey Cassidy	...	Kim Murphy
Denise Dal Vera	...	Mary Williams
Colin Farrell	...	Steven Murphy
Barry Keoghan	...	Martin
Nicole Kidman	...	Anna Murphy
Drew Logan	...	Principal
Alicia Silverstone	...	Martin's Mother
Sunny Suljic	...	Bob Murphy
Michael Trester	...	Elderly Man
Ming Wang	...	Doctor (Abdominal)

Storyline

After the untimely death of 16-year-old Martin's father on the operating table, little by little, a deep and empathetic bond begins to form between him and the respected cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Steven Murphy. At first, expensive gifts and then an invitation for dinner will soon earn the orphaned teenager the approval of Dr Steven's perfect family, even though right from the start, a vague, yet unnerving feeling overshadows Martin's honest intent. And then, unexpectedly, the idyllic family is smitten by a fierce and pitiless punishment, while at the same time, everything will start falling apart as the innocents have to suffer. In the end, as the sins of one burden the entire family, only an unimaginable and unendurable decision that demands a pure sacrifice can purge the soul. But to find catharsis, one must first admit the sin.

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Plot Keywords:

female frontal nudity | inviting sexual advances | wanted sexual advances | nudity | sex with husband's friend | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

R for disturbing violent and sexual content, some graphic nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

Facebook [UK] Instagram [UK]

Country:

UK Ireland USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

3 November 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Killing of a Sacred Deer

Filming Locations:

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$115,120, 22 October 2017, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,291,901, 28 December 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

Element Pictures,A24,Film4

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Colin Farrell admittedly felt nauseous after reading the script for the film.

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Goofs

[All goofs for this title are spoilers.]

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Quotes

[last lines]
Steven Murphy: Bob's eyes are bleeding. Come to the living room.
Anna Murphy: Now?
Steven Murphy: Yes. Now.
Anna Murphy: Steven, where are the children?
Steven Murphy: They're already there.
Anna Murphy: I think I'm gonna wear that black dress that you like.
Steven Murphy: Wear whatever you want. Just hurry.

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Connections

Featured in The Graham Norton Show: Jane Fonda/Nicole Kidman/Colin Farrell/Bryan Cranston/Matt Lucas/Niall Horan (2017)

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Soundtracks

How Long Will I Love You
Words and music by Mike Scott
Published by SM Publishing UK Limited
Performed by Ellie Goulding
Courtesy of Polydor UK Ltd.
Under license from Universal Music Operations Ltd.

User Reviews

Pretentious and terribly directed.

OK, I get the Greek mythology link in the title. That is pretentious for a start. But the film is completely confusing. Is it a horror, a thriller, a mystery? Are there special powers involved? Is the main character himself insane and much of the action his imagination? There are no hints at all. The characters are all brain dead. Hardly a meaningful statement or emotional reaction over 120 minutes. Close to the worst film I have ever seen. And at the ending will leave you completely unsatisfied.