Electrick Children (2013)
Average Rating: 6/10
Reviews Counted: 20
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 3
A strong directorial debut for Rebecca Thomas, Electrick Children also features an outstanding performance from Julia Garner as a wild teenager from a conservative family.
Average Rating: 6/10
Critic Reviews: 7
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 1
A strong directorial debut for Rebecca Thomas, Electrick Children also features an outstanding performance from Julia Garner as a wild teenager from a conservative family.
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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 1,578
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Movie Info
In the debut feature from director Rebecca Thomas, ELECTRICK CHILDREN, Julia Garner (MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE, WE ARE WHAT WE ARE, SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR) plays Rachel, a rambunctious teenager from a fundamentalist Morman family in Utah. On Rachel's 15th birthday, she discovers a forbidden cassette tape with rock music on it. Having never heard anything like it, Rachel has a miraculous experience. Three months later, Rachel turns up pregnant and claims to have had an immaculate conception
Mar 8, 2013 Limited
Phase 4 Films
- Official Site
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Cast
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Julia Garner
Rachel -
Rory Culkin
Clyde -
Liam Aiken
Mr. Bill, Mr. Will -
Bill Sage
Tim -
Cynthia M. Watros
Gay Lynn -
Billy Zane
Paul -
John Patrick Amedori
Johnny -
Rachel Pirard
Sara -
Cassidy Gard
Snow -
Paola Baldion
Lola -
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Electrick Children Trailer & Photos
All Critics (20) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (3)
Though unevenly told and at times too fanciful for its own good, "Electrick Children" marks an intriguing feature debut for its risk-taking writer-director, Rebecca Thomas.
"Electrick Children" is well acted and refreshingly nonjudgmental, but its narrative continuity is tenuous at best.
Thomas makes an assured debut as both writer and director, the gifted Culkin is excellent as always, and Garner finds lovely shades of nuance in Rachel's innocent faith.
Thomas has an aversion to the easy resolution-she knows precisely which mysteries to keep dangling.
The best moments in filmmaker Rebecca Thomas's debut feature manage flashes of wide-eyed grace-that is, when the overly precious, half-formed story isn't undermining her understated direction and the work of a fine cast.
You needn't be a true believer to appreciate Rebecca Thomas's indie feature rooted in a traditional Mormon community.
Good as it is, with a catchy high concept and hip indie sensibility, it could have been so much better. Culkin, Aiken and Garner, however, can count the film as an unmitigated triumph.
Rebecca Thomas's debut feature is a sensible and humane exploration of youthful curiosity.
Sweet but never sickly ... Electrick Children is real must-see from a bright new talent.
The film ultimately exposes itself as fluffy fantasy.
The debut feature of twentysomething Rebecca Thomas, who herself grew up in the Mormon faith, this US indie is a decent coming-of-age yarn, adorned with some magic realist flourishes.
Writer-director Rebecca Thomas invites us into this world with a gentle, unhectoring hand, and keeps the mystery of her story wide open.
Rebecca Thomas's gauzy debut about a 15-year-old Mormon who believes she's had an immaculate conception is deftly done.
After the interesting initial concept, Electrick Children falls apart structurally, most notably in its transition between the second and third act.
An interesting and catchy take on a traditional tale of repressed teenage rebellion.
The performances are excellent, and the filmmaking is mesmerising.
Careful, kids - rock'n'roll can get you pregnant. Or that's what one Mormon teen believes in this cute lo-fi indie from first-timer Rebecca Thomas.
There's a solid core to this magical realist coming of age tale that smooths over the odd bump.
"Electrick Children" exudes raw talent and heralds the arrival of a voice that could evolve into something truly special, even if it's currently a little unsure of what exactly it wants to say.
Audience Reviews for Electrick Children
Super Reviewer
Like her central character, director Thomas grew up in the Mormon faith and clearly has a bone to pick. She's made the cinematic equivalent of holding a preacher in a headlock while you administer painkillers to his daughter. It's an unabashed, fist-pumping celebration of modernity, secularism, music, medicine, freedom and indeed electricity. How you view religion will temper your enjoyment of the film. If, like me, you love technology, civilization and progress and believe religion is man's biggest mistake, you'll fully appreciate this film. Politically, it's the polar opposite of the anti-interventionist message of "Beasts of the Southern Wild".
In a year of great performances by young actresses, Garner delivers one of the best. She makes the character entirely lovable and her social awkwardness is equally charming and heart-breaking. Thomas' direction is simple but assured and alongside Andrea Arnold, Julia Leigh and Lynne Ramsey, we seem to be living in a golden age of female film-makers.
Super Reviewer
Discussion Forum
| Topic | Last Post | Replies |
|---|---|---|
| Real Mormons | 2 months ago | 9 |
| Stupidest sounding movie of all time | 2 months ago | 0 |
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