• 12 Years a Slave (2013)

    In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon's life forever.

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12 Years a Slave
96
metacriticBased on 56 Critics
80
Based on 1275 Users

Release Date: October 18th, 2013

DVD Release Date: March 4th, 2014

R |2 hr 14 min

Plot Summary

In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon's life forever.

Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, Lupita Nyong'o

Director: Steve McQueen

Genres: Historical drama , Biography

Production Co: River Road, Plan B Entertainment, New Regency Pictures

Keywords: Revenge , Quest , Escape , Dark ,

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 100
    Joe MorgensternWall Street Journal

    Movie audiences have never been presented with anything quite like the intertwined beauty and savagery of 12 Years a Slave. show more

  • 100
    ScreenCrush

    12 Years a Slave is an emotional workout, but McQueen makes many remarkable choices. show more

  • 100
    Steven ReaPhiladelphia Inquirer

    It speaks to the courage and resilience of one man, the savagery of many, and the potential, for both good and for ill, in us all. show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com

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Awards

Winner Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Editing
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2014)
Nominated Supporting Actress
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2014)
Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Best Director - Motion Picture
Golden Globes (2014)
Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Golden Globes (2014)
Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Cinematography
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2014)
Winner Actress in a Supporting Role
Oscars Academy Awards (2013)
Winner Best Picture
Oscars Academy Awards (2013)
Winner Leading Actor
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2014)
Winner Film
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2014)
Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Best Performance By an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Golden Globes (2014)
Nominated Film Editing
Oscars Academy Awards (2013)
Nominated Director
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2014)
Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Costume Design
Oscars Academy Awards (2013)
Nominated Actor in a Leading Role
Oscars Academy Awards (2013)
Winner Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Oscars Academy Awards (2013)
Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Adapted Screenplay
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2014)
Nominated Production Design
Oscars Academy Awards (2013)
Nominated Original Music
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2014)
Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Production Design
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2014)
Winner Best Motion Picture - Drama
Golden Globes (2014)
Nominated Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Golden Globes (2014)
Nominated Directing
Oscars Academy Awards (2013)
Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Nominated Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Golden Globes (2014)