
Based on the first of a trilogy by Tom Rob Smith and set in the Stalin era of the Soviet Union. The plot is about an idealistic pro-Stalin security officer who decides to investigate a series of child murders in a country where supposedly this sort of crime doesn't exist. The state would not hear of the existence of a child murderer let alone a serial killer. He gets demoted and exiled but decides, with just the help of his wife, to continue pursuing the case.... (Full plot summary below)
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Based on the first of a trilogy by Tom Rob Smith and set in the Stalin era of the Soviet Union. The plot is about an idealistic pro-Stalin security officer who decides to investigate a series of child murders in a country where supposedly this sort of crime doesn't exist. The state would not hear of the existence of a child murderer let alone a serial killer. He gets demoted and exiled but decides, with just the help of his wife, to continue pursuing the case.
Leave your thoughts about Child 44.
| Consequence of SoundJustin GerberLike The Interview, Child 44 will be remembered only for the controversy surrounding it. |
| Tolucan TimesTony Medley...a tense thriller set in Soviet Russia in 1953...tightly directed with surprisingly good pace...fine performances, especially by Hardy, Rapace, and Oldman...exceptional dark and forbidding cinematography enhanced by understated music. |
| Total FilmJames MottramHardy is immaculate as Leo, from accent to demeanour. Now on his fourth film with Hardy, Oldman is a pleasure to watch, and even the smallest of roles have been carefully cast, with the likes of Vincent Cassel, Paddy Considine and Clarke all enjoying their moment. |
| Times (UK)Wendy IdeTom Hardy rolls his Russian accent around his mouth like its a shot of vodka to be savoured. With his Soviet-issue brutalist haircut and shambling bear's gait, plus the accent as thick as borscht, he inhabits completely the part of Leo Demidov. |
| One Guy's OpinionFrank SwietekA hopeless muddle of clumsy police procedural, fraught domestic fireworks and heavy-handed totalitarian tropes, presented in the grimmest possible fashion and drawn out to insufferable length. |
| Film InquiryAlistair RyderChild 44 is bland in every aspect, which is a shame as the source novel could have been turned into an exciting movie if it had the right directorial hands to guide it (as well as a more eye catching title, Child 44 sounds pretty boring in name alone). |
| Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)Ken HankeI'm going against the current on Daniel Espinosa's Child 44 by simply not hating it, but I'll go further and say it's actually good -- with qualifications. |
| Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)Greg Maki... A grim tale powered by Hardy's dour yet impassioned turn as the lead. |
| Blu-ray.comBrian OrndorfWhat began as a novel by Tom Rob Smith probably should've stayed there, but for those with especially iron-like constitutions, "Child 44" does provide some terrific performances and a full sense of Soviet immersion. |
| IGN MoviesMax NicholsonChild 44 is not a bad crime-thriller, but it could have been way better, especially given the talent involved. |