The Childhood of a Leader

Name: The Childhood of a Leader
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Horror
Released: July 22, 2016
Duration: 115 min
Rating: 68

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Ratings

See All

6.8

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.8	Your Score
6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Childhood Of A Leader

Now Playing: The Childhood Of A Leader

Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: July 22, 2016 | Not Rated

Summary: An American family settles into the French countryside at the end of the First World War, where the father (Liam Cunningham) is involved in the peace negotiations around the Treaty of Versailles. His wife (Berenice Bejo) is a devout Christian who struggles with the tantrums of their defiant young son (Tom Sweet), whose willful outburstsAn American family settles into the French countryside at the end of the First World War, where the father (Liam Cunningham) is involved in the peace negotiations around the Treaty of Versailles. His wife (Berenice Bejo) is a devout Christian who struggles with the tantrums of their defiant young son (Tom Sweet), whose willful outbursts begin to demonstrate a monster in the making. [Protagonist Pictures]… Expand

Director: Brady Corbet

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Horror

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 115 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

John Bleasdale

Sep 18, 2015

The Childhood of a Leader is a dark, enigmatic piece of work that hovers between visionary greatness and petty domestic triviality. Corbet's inaugural stint behind the camera marks a stunning debut. Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

Jun 15, 2016

With his unusually accomplished directorial debut Childhood of a Leader, Corbet delivers a strange and startling film that reflects the unique trajectory of his career, as well as the influence of the iconoclastic directors with whom he’s already worked. Read full review

Lauren Humphries-Brooks

Oct 17, 2016

Despite its occasional oversteps and misfires, The Childhood of a Leader is a fascinating film, as moving and irresistible as it is terrifying. Read full review

The Film Stage Tommaso Tocci

Jul 21, 2016

What could very easily be received as an irritating, pretentious feature debut is actually a display of controlled madness full of astute touches. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Jul 21, 2016

It’s a persuasive portrait of a monster-to-be, one etched in thrown tantrums and rocks, and heavily supported by an excellent cast that includes Robert Pattinson and Yolande Moreau as well as a driving score that occasionally threatens to upstage the movie. Read full review

Farran Smith Nehme

Jul 21, 2016

It’s an ambitious, often arresting film, but it lacks cohesion, and the seesawing plot and motivations seem more indecisive than mysterious. Read full review

Sam C. Mac

Jul 19, 2016

Brady Corbet reaches for a dreary self-importance akin to Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon. Read full review

SEE ALL 20 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

triangles19

Jul 24, 2017

"The Childhood of a Leader" is a very academic movie, in the good way. Very humble, graceful and mature. Intimate but never obscene, the storyline dare to transcend "L'Enfance d'un Chef" from Jean-Paul Sartre, to bring the characters as far as possible. A masterpiece.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

alejandro970

Dec 31, 2017

Slow paced but effective horror drama with the same spirit of Roman Polanski early jobs. In a minimalist scenario shows the birth and making of a monster with an angelic face. Not for all tastes, is´nt easy to know what´s the point.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

geewah

Jan 6, 2021

The story of how an entitled boy turns into a facist. Despite having a number of flat spots the story is compelling enough.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Orukayu

Jan 22, 2023

A drama film based on a 2015 novel. It tells the story of a child who is brought up under pressure and coercion by disinterested parents. I've been a child, possibly rebellious, and as the pressure on him increases, he becomes more rebellious. Eventually this kid grows up and becomes aA drama film based on a 2015 novel. It tells the story of a child who is brought up under pressure and coercion by disinterested parents. I've been a child, possibly rebellious, and as the pressure on him increases, he becomes more rebellious. Eventually this kid grows up and becomes a dictator. The child actor who plays the role really does justice to the role. The music used in the movie is beautiful. There is one final scene, which is incredible. It is exquisite with both the shooting style and the music. Although the movie is static, it is watched with interest.

There is no sex or nudity in the movie. However, it is a question that the child focuses on his chest, which is visible under the teacher's shirt while taking lessons, and the scene takes a little longer.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

virginiaproud

Dec 23, 2016

The concept promises much more than this movie delivers. Lot's of beautiful looking scenes where not much of consequence happens. A child that is indulged to be sure, ignored when suited and once beaten (that we see), but it doesn't adds up to a childhood or parents that could be accused ofThe concept promises much more than this movie delivers. Lot's of beautiful looking scenes where not much of consequence happens. A child that is indulged to be sure, ignored when suited and once beaten (that we see), but it doesn't adds up to a childhood or parents that could be accused of sowing of the seeds of a sociopath. To further complicate, we are shown only a brief snap shot of this childhood, then a huge time jump to reveal, for the final few minutes... The Leader. That's about it. It was OK, heavy on artistic pretension and the ushering in of a new directing prodigy, which is possibly why critics are turning somersaults over it.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

TVJerry

Dec 14, 2018

Comparisons to the current A Star Is Born are inevitable, but there's no comparison on any level. This somewhat experimental film wears its edgy credentials all over the place: random visual styles, quirky editing, heavy-handed, even melodramatic score (not to mention the clunky narration).Comparisons to the current A Star Is Born are inevitable, but there's no comparison on any level. This somewhat experimental film wears its edgy credentials all over the place: random visual styles, quirky editing, heavy-handed, even melodramatic score (not to mention the clunky narration). It follows a young woman as she endures a traumatic event, then goes on to become a pop star. The role is first played by Raffey Cassidy, then after about 45 minutes, by Natalie Portman, Confusingly, all of the other main roles keep the same actors for both time periods. This role gives Portman a chance to strap on a New York accent, become a ranting, self-absorbed rock star with personal issues (nothing new here) and even perform a mini concert (songs by Sia). The film tries to make some statements and dazzle with showy style. Even so, there's still a weirdly compelling aspect that keeps it from being a totally self-indulgent mess.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 6 REVIEWS