Children of Men
Children of Men Image
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Metascore
84 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 38 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 626 Ratings

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  • Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine
  • Summary: Children of Men envisages a world one generation from now that has fallen into anarchy on the heels of an infertility defect in the population. The world's youngest citizen has just died at 18, and humankind is facing the likelihood of its own extinction. Set against the backdrop of London torn apart by violence and nationalistic sects, the film follows disillusioned bureaucrat Theo (Owen) as he becomes an unlikely champion of Earth's survival. (Universal Pictures)… Expand
  • Director: Alfonso Cuarón
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Runtime: 109 min
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    The performances are crucial, because all of these characters have so completely internalized their world that they make it palpable, and themselves utterly convincing.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Hartlaub
    100
    Children of Men is Cuarón's run for freedom, with a riveting story, fantastic action scenes and acting so universally solid that even the dogs perform masterfully under his direction.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Ray Bennett
    80
    Owen carries the film more in the tradition of a Jimmy Stewart or Henry Fonda than a Clint Eastwood or Harrison Ford. He has to wear flip-flops for part of the time without losing his dignity, and he never reaches for a weapon or guns anyone down. Cuaron and Owen may have created the first believable 21st-century movie hero.
  4. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Joe Morgenstern
    50
    Bloated adaptation of P.D. James's thoughtful, compact novel.
    All this critic's reviews

See all 38 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 236 out of 328
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 328
  3. Negative: 70 out of 328
  1. Erik
    10
    One of those movies you wish would never end. The sets are wonderful. The characters are likable and believable. An excellent anti-utopia with tense action scenes.… Expand
  2. sanyrub
    8
    Awesome film. The idea is very interesting and you are in from minute one. Every character is there for a reason you keep finding as the movie goes on. Great cinematography. There is an action sequence towads the end that it is a 10 out of 10. Actors do their job nicely. So well done you feel the characters. Entertaiment plus quality. If only most successful films could be like this...… Expand
  3. David
    5
    I'm really torn on this movie. The underground hype has really blossomed and I was very excited to see it. Maybe that worked against me. Perhaps if I'd gone in with mediocre expectations, I would have been pleasantly surprised. I gave this movie a five because it does propose a plausable future in a realistic manner. But, like so may other viewers, I was left with more questions than answers. I didn't expect every question to be answered, but so many are left resolved. What is the Human Project? Why is NO ONE questioning how this girl got pregnant?!!! Arrgghhhh... Still, probably worth the admission just to say I saw it.… Collapse
  4. ktodd73
    4
    Why do so many people consider this to be such a great film? I'm not saying it's bad. It's just okay. Not epic or astounding as many critics seem to believe. Clive Owen seems incapable of epic or astounding. I did really like the cinematography, but this movie just lacked in plot design and character development. Plain and simple. And as far as dystopian thrillers go, I would rank it below V for Vendetta and above Judge Dredd, hovering near the level of The Book of Eli. If you wish to see a realistic look into a troubled future, see John Hillcoat's terrific adaptation of The Road instead.… Expand

See all 328 User Reviews

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