We Need to Talk About Kevin - A Movie Review

We need to talk in private. You know how Kevin likes to listen in.

First released to theaters in 2011, We Need to Talk About Kevin is based around Eva, a struggling mother. Only, there is something off about her son’s behavior. As he grows up, Kevin’s behavior grows increasingly disturbing further testing Eva’s patience.

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a tense film that keeps your eyes glued to the screen for its eternity. It is a harrowing film. Studying a difficult dynamic between a mother and son, the film solidifies the evil nature of a child.

I am very impressed with Tilda Swinton. She gives the most powerful performance of her career. Swinton’s countenance sold her world of chaos. Eva does not have it easy. Struggling to be a good parent, Kevin tests her patience more than once. Eva’s world is the central focus of the film as we witness how her life has been impacted.

Talk about a startling performance. Making sure that only he could connect to Kevin, Ezra Miller was excellent. Special mentions go to Rock Duer and Jasper Newell in their portrayals as Kevin at younger ages. Harboring behavioral issues, Kevin’s menacing stare or one-liners startle you. Miller and Swinton worked hard on their interactions.

John C. Reilly makes a memorable appearance. No matter what, he’s great at a mix of comedy and drama. Kevin’s relationship with each parent impacts their perspective.

The ensemble has a huge role. Based on a crucial event that impacted the town, there is never a time where Eva is not getting a dirty look. Credits include Ashley Gerasimovich, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Alex Manette, Kenneth Franklin, and many more.

The film’s main focus is relationships. The relationship between Eva and Kevin is complex. Although Kevin mess with her, patronizes, and even insults her, I liked how the film displayed affectionate moments - to a degree.

Lynne Ramsey excelled in the story. You don’t have to show every moment. Ramsey lets the audience figure out subtle clues. That’s my favorite part about films. The way the film switched from the present day to flashbacks was well-achieved. It kept me guessing at every moment.

Ramsey did a terrific job with the camera angles, pinpointing subtle moments. She worked closely with the actors, particularly the actors playing Kevin along with Swinton. I am impressed with how well she did with the flashbacks. It’s tough to change the past which is delivered immensely.

The overall atmosphere of We Need To Talk About Kevin is disturbing. You can feel the anger, terror, or any emotion that Eva is feeling. My mouth was hanging open by the end of the film. Nothing is a surprise. Everything is right in front of you the entire time. How you view the characters and situation is up to you.

Hair also plays an enormous role. Showcasing the difference between the past and present, filmmakers gave Swinton varying hairstyles. Hair is an important part of a character. Hairstylists did a good job making Eva look withered away.

Pay attention to color choices. Red is a notorious coloring, symbolizing the dark atmosphere. It shows up in every sequence of the film.

I wasn’t a fan of some of the music choices. The music was distracting. During dramatic moments, a happy song played. No music would have been okay for some sequences.

You have to find this suspenseful film and watch it. Fair warning, there are triggering sequences that relate to violence. And this story is disturbing, especially Kevin’s behavior. You are in for a wild ride the second you start watching.