The Young Poisoner's Handbook

1995, Comedy/Drama, 1h 46m

14 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

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The Young Poisoner's Handbook Photos

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Movie Info

Graham Young (Hugh O'Conor) is a teenage misfit living in suburban London in the 1960s. He hates his stepmother (Ruth Sheen) but loves chemistry, and the two impulses unite in a wicked plot to slowly poison her. After she dies, he's found guilty and sent to a psychiatric hospital, where an idealistic doctor (Antony Sher) thinks he can be cured. Upon release, Graham finds a job, but struggles to fight back his old urges for murder. The film is based on the true story of the "Teacup Murderer."

Rating:

R
Genre:

Comedy, Drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Benjamin Ross
Producer:

Sam Taylor
Writer:

Jeff Rawle, Benjamin Ross
Release Date (Theaters):

Feb 23, 1996 wide
Box Office (Gross USA):

$532.0K
Runtime:

1h 46m
Distributor:

Polygram
Sound Mix:

Surround

Cast & Crew

Hugh O'Conor
Graham Young

Antony Sher
Dr. Ernest Zeigler

Ruth Sheen
Molly

Roger Lloyd-Pack
Fred

Charlotte Coleman
Winnie

Paul Stacey
Dennis

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The Young Poisoner's Handbook

All Critics (14) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (2)

Full Review… Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly

Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews

Full Review… Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times

Full Review… Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle

Full Review… Christopher Null Filmcritic.com

Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com

Full Review… Susan Tavernetti Palo Alto Weekly

Full Review… Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Full Review… Jeffrey Westhoff Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Full Review… Michael W. Phillips, Jr. Goatdog's Movies

Full Review… Steve Rhodes Internet Reviews

Full Review… Jack Garner Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

View All Critic Reviews (14)

Audience Reviews for The Young Poisoner's Handbook

Sep 22, 2012

It doesn't delve into its subjects psyche enough for my taste, but there is a interesting bluntness to its narrative. A Sociopathic Megalomaniac will continue to be a Sociopathic Megalomaniac, regardless of how much dream analysis they undergo.

Alec B Super Reviewer
Jul 28, 2012

"He gave his life to his research, so did his family." [Tagline] The biographical sketch of the protagonist is indeed extraordinary, but the way the events are portrayed herein hampers its effect. Despite fictionalizing the accounts, the movie fails to maintain enough interest. Wish the makers were dedicated enough!!!

familiar s Super Reviewer
Mar 13, 2010

Quite the little hidden morbidly dark comedy gem.

Matthew M Super Reviewer
Feb 14, 2009

not the best movie i have ever seen and neither was it fill of the best acting ive ever seen but damn is it creepy with the way he goes round poisoning people and seeing them gradually die but yet you have enough sympathy for him to actually find out what happens and want to watch the film to see if he gets cured or not

Lone W Super Reviewer