12 Years a Slave

2013, History/Drama, 2h 14m

380 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

It's far from comfortable viewing, but 12 Years a Slave's unflinchingly brutal look at American slavery is also brilliant -- and quite possibly essential -- cinema. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon's life forever.

Cast & Crew

Chiwetel Ejiofor
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Solomon Northup
Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender
Edwin Epps
Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch
William Ford
Paul Dano
Paul Dano
Tibeats
Garret Dillahunt
Garret Dillahunt
Armsby
Paul Giamatti
Paul Giamatti
Theophilus Freeman
Scoot McNairy
Scoot McNairy
Brown
Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita Nyong'o
Patsey
Adepero Oduye
Adepero Oduye
Eliza
Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson
Mistress Epps
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
Bass
Michael Kenneth Williams
Michael Kenneth Williams
Robert
Alfre Woodard
Alfre Woodard
Mistress Shaw
Chris Chalk
Chris Chalk
Clemens
Taran Killam
Taran Killam
Hamilton
Bill Camp
Bill Camp
Radburn
Kelsey Scott
Kelsey Scott
Anne Northup
Quvenzhané Wallis
Quvenzhané Wallis
Margaret Northup
Cameron Zeigler
Cameron Zeigler
Alonzo Northup
Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen
Director
John Ridley
John Ridley
Screenwriter
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
Producer
Dede Gardner
Dede Gardner
Producer
Jeremy Kleiner
Jeremy Kleiner
Producer
Bill Pohlad
Bill Pohlad
Producer
Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen
Producer
Arnon Milchan
Arnon Milchan
Producer
Anthony Katagas
Anthony Katagas
Producer
John Ridley
John Ridley
Executive Producer
Tessa Ross
Tessa Ross
Executive Producer
Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer
Original Music
Sean Bobbitt
Sean Bobbitt
Cinematographer
Joe Walker
Joe Walker
Film Editing
Francine Maisler
Francine Maisler
Casting
Adam Stockhausen
Adam Stockhausen
Production Design
David Stein
David Stein
Art Director
Alice Baker
Alice Baker
Set Decoration
Patricia Norris
Patricia Norris
Costume Design
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Critic Reviews for 12 Years a Slave

All Critics (380) | Top Critics (94) | Fresh (361) | Rotten (19)
Full Review… Nijla Mu'min Bitch Media Full Review… J. Hoberman Harper's Magazine Full Review… Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Full Review… Larushka Ivan-Zadeh metro.co.uk Full Review… Jen Chaney Washington City Paper Full Review… Jason Bailey Flavorwire Full Review… Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine Full Review… Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Full Review… Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Full Review… Josh Parham Next Best Picture Full Review… Justin Brown Medium Popcorn Full Review… Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn
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Audience Reviews for 12 Years a Slave

  • Dec 27, 2019
    Soul shattering and then... mending.
    Aldo G Super Reviewer
  • Mar 29, 2016
    There are so many movies that has had a huge impact on our world as we know it, and unfortunately, not so many people watch these movies. This, however, is a movie that I believe should be shown in history classes in school's because, this really is a movie that everybody should watch. Steve McQueen once again shows us his beautiful range in this beautiful movie that surely is a so-called masterpiece.
    Lasse G Super Reviewer
  • Sep 14, 2015
    So much more than the "white guilt" label it's unfairly gotten. Steve McQueen continues to prove himself as one of the best working directors today. It's his most mainstream movie to date but this proves to me that he really know what he's doing and is careful in his selection of what to make. Everything about this movie is exceptional.
    Super Reviewer
  • Feb 23, 2015
    I was expecting more from this movie. While it was a very sad film, it was very slow-moving at times.
    Erin C Super Reviewer
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