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 & 44 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 | surrealism | death curse | dysfunctional family | wife cheats on husband | 

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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:

Ireland UK

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

Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell began working together on The Beguiled (2017), only a few weeks later they wrapped filming on this film. Both films would go on to be in competition for the Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, and both would win awards in the official competition ("The Beguiled" won the Directing award for Sofia Coppola while "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" shared the Screenplay award with Lynne Ramsay's You Were Never Really Here (2017)).

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Goofs

[All goofs for this title are spoilers.]

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Quotes

Anna Murphy: What a charming boy.
Steven Murphy: Isn't he?
Anna Murphy: Yes, very. How did his father die?
Steven Murphy: Car crash. Driving home. Smashed it into a pole. Killed instantly.
Anna Murphy: How long have you known him?
Steven Murphy: Quite some time. He was a patient of mine. Years ago.
Anna Murphy: Did you go to the funeral?
Steven Murphy: I did go. Yes.
Anna Murphy: Why didn't I go with you?
Steven Murphy: I think I told you about it. But you were busy or something.
[...]

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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

Michael Haneke's Sophie's Choice... or Stanley Kubrick's Happiness?!

Neither. This is a Yorgos Lanthimos joint all the way. But it's as powerful and piercingly original as a work of the aforementioned masters.

The premise isn't as intriguing or clever as The Lobster, but the execution, oh boy... is even better. A horrific black comedy, a nail-biting thriller, and a compelling moral tale all at once. The entire cast is superb, but Barry Keoghan will be a star. Between this and Dunkirk, it's his year.

Go watch it on the big screen. Experience it, then see it again, and let its brilliance wash over you. I don't say this often, but to me, this is an instant classic.