The Killing of a Sacred Deer: reviews

What the critics say average 8.8 from 9 outlets

• 10 The TelegraphRobbie Collin When absurdism feels this wrong, you know it?s being done right. Read
• 10 The PlaylistJessica Kiang 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer' is Lanthimos with the gloves off, and it makes the absurd, amazing ?The Lobster? seem like a warm and cuddly experience by comparison. Read
• 10 The Hollywood ReporterDavid Rooney The performances across the board are expertly gauged demonstrations of restraint under extreme duress. Read
• 9.0 Screen CrushBritt Hayes Like Steven, you may find yourself debating which of his children should die, and you might be alarmed by your own conclusion. Read
• 9.0 VarietyPeter Debruge Fortunately, Farrell and Kidman are astonishingly gifted at playing the subtext of every scene. Read
• 8.8 Roger EbertBrian Tallerico It?s a film that challenges viewers in such fascinating ways and feels so refined in its filmmaking that it's invigorating to watch. Read
• 8.3 IndiewireDavid Elrich This is Lanthimos most scattered and sedate film, but its his scariest as well. Read
• 8.0 The GuardianPeter Bradshaw It's an intriguing, disturbing, amusing twist on something which in many ways could be a conventional horror-thriller from the 1970s or 1980s, or even a bunny-boiler nightmare from the 90s. Read
• 6.0 Time OutDave Calhoun As storytelling, it's pristine: it moves like a reptile playing the long game. But its cruelty is tough to bear. Read