How I Live Now

Name: How I Live Now
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller, War
Released: November 8, 2013
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Anna Chancellor, Danny McEvoy, George MacKay, Harley Bird, Saoirse Ronan

2013

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 43 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 43 Ratings

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How I Live Now

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: November 8, 2013 | R

Starring: Anna Chancellor, Danny McEvoy, George MacKay, Harley Bird, Saoirse Ronan, Tom Holland

Summary: Daisy (Saoirse Ronan), an American teenager, is sent to stay with relatives in the English countryside. Initially withdrawn and alienated, she begins to warm up to her charming surroundings, and strikes up a romance with the handsome Edmund (George MacKay). But on the fringes of their idyllic summer days are tense news reports of anDaisy (Saoirse Ronan), an American teenager, is sent to stay with relatives in the English countryside. Initially withdrawn and alienated, she begins to warm up to her charming surroundings, and strikes up a romance with the handsome Edmund (George MacKay). But on the fringes of their idyllic summer days are tense news reports of an escalating conflict in Europe. As the UK falls into a violent, chaotic military state, Daisy finds herself hiding and fighting to survive. [Magnolia Pictures]… Expand

Director: Kevin Macdonald

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Thriller, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 101 min

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Critic Reviews

Alan Scherstuhl

Nov 5, 2013

Tender, humane, and searing, How I Live Now stands as something all too rare: a movie about young people that young people may love — but not one that lies to them, and not one built for them alone. Read full review

Rex Reed

Nov 5, 2013

In a movie without adults, the children are spontaneous and natural. And Ms. Ronan is captivating throughout. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Glenn Kenny

Nov 8, 2013

It's strong stuff, and the actors are fully up to it. Read full review

Time Out London Cath Clarke

Oct 1, 2013

Kevin Macdonald’s slightly drab adaptation of Meg Rosoff’s popular teen novel would be nothing without Saoirse Ronan. Read full review

Tasha Robinson

Nov 6, 2013

Part of the point may be how trauma simplifies life by stripping away everything inessential, but just as there’s little satisfaction in watching Daisy pursue an unworthy goal, there’s little satisfaction in watching a specific, colorful, keenly felt portrait become such a familiar story. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Nov 7, 2013

Macdonald (“The Last King of Scotland,” “State of Play”) does a passable job of evoking post-apocalyptic atmosphere in How I Live Now, although the film suffers from uneven tone — is it a teen romance or wartime adventure? — and, ultimately, a regrettable lack of focus. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Nov 14, 2013

Drama is as much about perspective as it is about events, and the angle provided by How I Live Now turns out to be self-defeating. Read full review

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User Reviews

Daisy25

Mar 23, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Muy buena película y excelente actuación de Saorsie Ronan en el papel de Daisy me mantuvo intrigada completamente… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Abel2121

Jan 4, 2014

This is a rare film. A gemstone. an oil painting of a young woman neurotic.
This film is a simple but not simplistic. the characters are sketched as if they were living in a real fairytale. Real like the tension that is always present and alive. a magical movie. I have no other words. happyThis is a rare film. A gemstone. an oil painting of a young woman neurotic.
This film is a simple but not simplistic. the characters are sketched as if they were living in a real fairytale. Real like the tension that is always present and alive. a magical movie. I have no other words. happy to have seen it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

LeZee

Feb 22, 2014

I think it's become a habit for me to misunderstand people from the movie poster. Till I watch this movie I thought it was Noomi Rapace then realised I was wrong. I saw all of Saoirse Ronan movies and liked everyone. In my thought she is nothing but a female version of Freddie Highmore.I think it's become a habit for me to misunderstand people from the movie poster. Till I watch this movie I thought it was Noomi Rapace then realised I was wrong. I saw all of Saoirse Ronan movies and liked everyone. In my thought she is nothing but a female version of Freddie Highmore. Because I love all of his movies like hers. They are the great young actors, the future is waiting for them.

This British movie was based on the book. The story is set in the backdrop of the third world war United Kingdom. Where an American teenage girl sent to the English countryside by her father, where she get stuck in middle of the modern war. Begins her game of survival along with her young cousins. Between this her first ever love makes her to take tough decisions during hard times.

If you had seen 'Lore' you would find some similarities with the story. Especially the second half of this movie was somehow resembled that movie. Maybe the main character, the teen girls from both the movies makes us bluff. Only the foot journey was similar in appearance, but the rest was travelled in different directions.

The love story did not stand up to the standards of true love. Looked like young people's sexual expedition, especially like the first experience in life for them. Should have spent more time for those two characters to develop romantic relationship between them to convince the viewers. The movie captured great countryside green sceneries of England. That keeps us to stick with this till the end.

7.5/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Nov 11, 2013

An American teenager (Saoirse Ronan) is sent to rural England to spend the summer with step-cousins. Just as her aloof attitude changes and she begins to love the experience (and the oldest boy), a terrorist takeover rocks the couintry. What starts as a transplanted teen drama takes aAn American teenager (Saoirse Ronan) is sent to rural England to spend the summer with step-cousins. Just as her aloof attitude changes and she begins to love the experience (and the oldest boy), a terrorist takeover rocks the couintry. What starts as a transplanted teen drama takes a forceful shift into a tense fight for survival. The young cast creates characters that are appealing and director Kevin Macdonald (Last King of Scotland) has crafted a surprisingly affecting and sometimes frightening film.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Thegodfatherson

Nov 11, 2013

Nonetheless, I generally enjoyed How I Live Now. Its story offers an intriguing and unique angle on a classic YA theme. It features some striking visual moments, and a hard-earned message of hope and perseverance. But Macdonald seems out of his depth directing a kid-centered drama, and theNonetheless, I generally enjoyed How I Live Now. Its story offers an intriguing and unique angle on a classic YA theme. It features some striking visual moments, and a hard-earned message of hope and perseverance. But Macdonald seems out of his depth directing a kid-centered drama, and the characters suffer, coming off as archetypes (the dream boy, the nerdy brother, the obnoxious little sister) or never quite coming together at all. It's a difficult thing translating a book that is told in the voice of a character to a film where most of her internal monologue is stripped away. And it's a shame that so much was stripped away that How I Live Now's heroine seems barely there at all.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mailinh

Jan 6, 2014

I've never seen a filmization which was as amazing as the book until "How I Live Now". The screenwriters and Macdonald created an incredible movie with appropriate acting of the leads.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

smiyamot

Jul 31, 2016

Another teenage angst movie, this time with an English locale. I really don't think anyone with emotional/mental problems can change that much that quickly.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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