Heaven Knows What

Name: Heaven Knows What
Genre: Drama
Released: May 29, 2015
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 75
Cast: Arielle Holmes, Caleb Landry Jones

2015

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Ratings

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Heaven Knows What

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Movie Details & Credits

RADiUS-TWC | Release Date: May 29, 2015 | Not Rated

Starring: Arielle Holmes, Caleb Landry Jones

Summary: Heaven Knows What blends fiction, formalism and raw documentary as it follows a young heroin addict (Arielle Holmes) who finds mad love in the streets of New York. The film is based on Holmes’ soon-to-be-published memoir Mad Love in New York City. [RADiUS-TWC]

Director: Ben Safdie and Joshua Safdie

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 94 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Michael Phillips

Jun 18, 2015

Heaven Knows What, will not appeal to the majority of casual moviegoers. Likewise, I have no doubts regarding the film's remarkable achievement. Read full review

100

Joe Neumaier

May 28, 2015

There’s never a false moment. Read full review

Scott Tobias

May 26, 2015

Heaven Knows What isn’t interested in merely exploring the world of New York City addicts. It wants to make their experiences felt, with the dissonant, amp-cracking roar of a punk anthem. Read full review

Scott Foundas

Apr 22, 2015

Holmes may not have the polished technique of a formally trained actress, but she has an innate capacity for drama, and whether or not she can go on to play roles further removed from her own experience, she’s electrifying in this one. Read full review

Kenji Fujishima

Apr 22, 2015

If nothing else, Heaven Knows What is one of the most harrowing cinematic depictions of drug addiction in recent memory, reliant less on formal gimmickry than on close observation of behavior. Read full review

David Rooney

Apr 22, 2015

Heaven Knows What is a strange film, at once distancing and transfixing. If it's not as impactful as it might have been considering the experiences portrayed, it has potent atmosphere and an admirable refusal to put any kind of gloss on the bleak reality of its limbo world. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

May 26, 2015

The novelty of having a real homeless junkie play a version of herself drives Heaven Knows What, a gritty hand-held character portrait of heroin addict life in New York today. Read full review

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User Reviews

joehavermann

Jan 2, 2016

Although it follows the lives of a group of young, homeless heroin addicts in New York, this deeply unsettling film is far removed from the typical Hollywood “junkie flick.” I have known people like the characters it depicts, and I was immediately struck by the film’s raw authenticity. OnlyAlthough it follows the lives of a group of young, homeless heroin addicts in New York, this deeply unsettling film is far removed from the typical Hollywood “junkie flick.” I have known people like the characters it depicts, and I was immediately struck by the film’s raw authenticity. Only later did I learn that the directors hit on the idea for the film after befriending (becoming infatuated with?) Arielle Holmes, the lead actor who was then living on the streets; they encouraged her to write about her experiences, paying her by the page, and eventually convinced her to star along with her friends in a film adaptation of her writing. Despite what has been charitably described as a “nano budget,” “Heaven Knows What” is extremely well made. The score creates a sense of unease, and every shot in the film is expertly framed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

goncalocouto

Oct 20, 2018

"Heaven Knows What" é um filme muito estranho e confuso, mas ainda assim interessante.
7/10

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Jun 24, 2015

20 years after "Kids" comes another hard-edged look at life on the streets of New York. This follows a young junkie (Arielle Holmes) as she mates, shoots up and struggles to exist (based on Holmes’ soon-to-be-published memoir "Mad Love in New York City"). The film sometime feels like a20 years after "Kids" comes another hard-edged look at life on the streets of New York. This follows a young junkie (Arielle Holmes) as she mates, shoots up and struggles to exist (based on Holmes’ soon-to-be-published memoir "Mad Love in New York City"). The film sometime feels like a documentary, often set among pedestrian traffic, with a camera that lingers in extreme close-up during the seemingly improvised, repetitive and rough dialogue. With it's jagged style, there are engrossing performances, inventive camerawork and a harsh energy that keeps it compelling. An intriguing art film that takes a raw, edgy look at heroine culture… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

annapatrix

Sep 21, 2015

A little bit weird but very interesting film. All in the name of love.

Watch it here for free: https://www.primewire.ag/watch-2767462-Heaven-Knows-What-online-free

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

LeZee

Nov 4, 2016

Homeless and drug addiction, with the backdrop of a little romance.

This film reminds me the Al Pacino's 'The Panic in Needle Park'. The independent filmmakers Safdie brothers directed it that inspired by the real life story of Arielle Holmes, who also starred in the lead role. This isHomeless and drug addiction, with the backdrop of a little romance.

This film reminds me the Al Pacino's 'The Panic in Needle Park'. The independent filmmakers Safdie brothers directed it that inspired by the real life story of Arielle Holmes, who also starred in the lead role. This is definitely a depressing film, seeing those faces, eyes, makes sick. But a very realistic film, kind of aimless plot, till the final quarter and then with a small twist, the tale comes to an end.

I have seen it and if you ask me about the story, I say its hard to describe, but it can be only watched like a documentary film. Over ninety minutes, the film revealed the life of homeless people. Like from their day beginning to the nightfall, how they make it and their preferences. So it is not an inspiring film, though at least there's something you can learn about them.

After knowing the theme, I thought there would be lots of violence like rapes, stealing, cops and maybe killing. Surprisingly, it was none of those, not exactly, except drug addiction and sometimes stealing to buy drugs. Looks like from this film, the actress got a breakthrough, particularly in her life. I hope its turnover from hereon. I appreciate the directors for that who made a difference in someone's life. Don't think it is a film for entertainment, watch it if you are interested in the documentary film. So it's not for everybody, but some will find it good or maybe decent.

6/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LamontRaymond

May 29, 2015

You've got to be prepared for what this movie is before going in. There's not some clear narrative direction to it - you're essentially following a woman and her cohorts as they're trying to score heroin and live their lives. It feels highly authentic, but it's not exactly entertaining, ifYou've got to be prepared for what this movie is before going in. There's not some clear narrative direction to it - you're essentially following a woman and her cohorts as they're trying to score heroin and live their lives. It feels highly authentic, but it's not exactly entertaining, if that's what you're going for. It reminds me of Harmony Korine's films, notably Kids and Gummo. The lead "actress" is pretty amazing to watch, and her real life story is probably fodder for an excellent documentary.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

LowbrowCinema

Jun 9, 2015

I have a true passion for heroin culture. This started when I was around 8 years old. Perhaps best to discuss this with my shrink but nonetheless I was very excited to see HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT, a grungy real tale of heroin addiction on the contemporary streets of NYC. Unfortunately, HEAVENI have a true passion for heroin culture. This started when I was around 8 years old. Perhaps best to discuss this with my shrink but nonetheless I was very excited to see HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT, a grungy real tale of heroin addiction on the contemporary streets of NYC. Unfortunately, HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT is all cold examination, no depth or insights. A lot of screaming. I was drawn in but left cold and empty. If only that were intentional.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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