Lilya 4-Ever

2002, Drama, 1h 49m

69 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

A tragic, hard-hitting story about a teenager trapped in a life of prostitution. Read critic reviews

You might also like

My Summer of Love
The Piano Teacher
In This World
Brothers
L'Enfant

Rate And Review

User image

Verified

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Step 2 of 2

    How did you buy your ticket?

    Let's get your review verified.

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

    You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • How did you buy your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

Lilya 4-Ever Photos

View All Photos (21)

Movie Info

Lilya (Oksana Akinshina) lives in poverty and dreams of a better life. Her mother moves to the United States and abandons her to her aunt (Liliya Shinkaryova), who neglects her. Lilya hangs out with her friends, Natasha (Elina Benenson) and Volodya (Artiom Bogucharski), who is suicidal. Desperate for money, she starts working as a prostitute, and later meets Andrei (Pavel Ponomaryov). He offers her a good job in Sweden, but when Lilya arrives her life quickly enters a downward spiral.
  • Rating:
    R (Rape|Language|Drug Use|Strong Sexual Content)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    Swedish
  • Director:
    Lukas Moodysson
  • Producer:
    Lars Jönsson
  • Writer:
    Lukas Moodysson
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $181.7K
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Newmarket Film Group
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital

Cast & Crew

Oksana Akinshina
Lilja
Artiom Bogucharski
Volodya
Elina Benenson
Natasha
Liliya Shinkaryova
Aunt Anna
Pavel Ponomaryov
Andrei
Tomas Neumann
Witek
Lyubov Agapova
Lilja's Mother
Tynu Kark
Sergei
Anastasia Bedredinova
Neighbor
Nikolai Bentsler
Natasha's Boyfriend
Lukas Moodysson
Director
Lukas Moodysson
Writer
Lars Jönsson
Producer
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Lilya 4-Ever

All Critics (69) | Top Critics (29) | Fresh (58) | Rotten (11)
Full Review… James Christopher Times (UK) Full Review… Alexander Walker London Evening Standard Full Review… Ty Burr Boston Globe Full Review… Steve Murray Atlanta Journal-Constitution Full Review… Robert Denerstein Denver Rocky Mountain News Full Review… Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic Full Review… Jay Antani Cinema Writer Full Review… Brian Orndorf BrianOrndorf.com Full Review… Brian Gibson Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta) Full Review… James Verniere Boston Herald Full Review… Boyd van Hoeij european-films.net Full Review… Lawrence Toppman Charlotte Observer
View All Critic Reviews (69)

Audience Reviews for Lilya 4-Ever

  • Jul 13, 2011
    The new millennium hits but Moodysson is aware these kind of topics have not ceased to exist. Lilya 4-Ever is a heartbreaking dedication to those young hearts whose innocence have been stolen through brutal means. Some may find it uncomfortable to watch as you literally have to stare to several men in a way some dudes would not want to see in a movie. But that's reality, and the intentions of Lukas are obvious: it takes you literally to Lilya's place regardless of the viewer's sex. Note: Keep in mind that Moodysson has always put a lot of effort and attention to express vividly youngsters' inner feelings and thoughts. That is exactly why you have to pardon the overtly dramatic departure of the mother: my theory is that such scene may have happened only in her head, and that reality was slightly different. 97/100
    Edgar C Super Reviewer
  • Oct 27, 2010
    Was awesome. I can't believe Oksana Akinshine was only 14/15! Amazing performance. I rarely actually sympathize with, you know, anyone, so she must've been good. I also rarely praise female performances, or 'kids' performances. With the exception of Rammstein, I was pretty impressed with the music too (the Rammstein song didn't seem to fit).
    Lauren D Super Reviewer
  • Oct 18, 2010
    In short, one of the most thourughly upsetting movies I've ever seen. Every time you think it can't get any worse it does. Definently not for everyone but if you like films that are sad and gritty this is where it's at.
    Ed Fucking H Super Reviewer
  • Mar 12, 2010
    Devastating drama about a 16 year old Russian girl who turns to prostitution after her mother abandons her to go live in America. Things begin looking up for her as she makes friends with a young street boy, and finds a handsome new boyfriend, but her path into darkness has only just begun. A gutwrenching story, powerfully told through compelling performances.
    Matthew L Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

Movie & TV guides