The Kid with a Bike
An abandoned boy clings to his bicycle and a fragile new bond with a hairdresser while drifting toward delinquency and the possibility of forgiveness.
Overview
A young boy's quest for belonging leads him down a troubled path, where redemption hangs in the balance.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- heartfelt
- unsentimental
- restless
- quiet afternoon
- arthouse movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the Dardenne brothers' heartfelt, thematically rich social realism, naturalistic performances, and compassionate treatment of childhood abandonment.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Dardenne brothers use Seraing locations, restrained camerawork, and unsentimental behavioral detail to depict Cyril's abandonment and moral vulnerability.
Cyril searches for his father and his stolen bicycle while struggling to accept that his father wants a life without him.
Cyril repeatedly rides, runs, searches, and pushes through suburban streets while pursuing his father, bicycle, and fragile independence.
Samantha retrieves Cyril's bicycle and takes him into her home despite his aloofness, impulsiveness, and repeated attempts to push her away.
Films like The Kid with a Bike, and why
Bicycle Thieves
social realism, childhood abandonment, moral vulnerability, and compassionate humanism
Kes
naturalistic coming-of-age drama centered on an emotionally neglected boy and adult responsibility
The 400 Blows
poetic neorealism, child protagonists, institutional hardship, and redemptive relationships
The Son
Dardenne-style social realism, troubled youth, and ethical transformation
Movie Details
- Directors
- Luc Dardenne, Jean-Pierre Dardenne
- Release Date
- 2011-05-18
- Runtime
- 87 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (469)
Cast
- Cécile de France
- Thomas Doret
- Jérémie Renier
- Fabrizio Rongione
- Olivier Gourmet
- Egon Di Mateo
- Baptiste Sornin
- Samuel De Rijk
- Myriem Akheddiou
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Kid with a Bike about?
- An abandoned boy clings to his bicycle and a fragile new bond with a hairdresser while drifting toward delinquency and the possibility of forgiveness.
- What is The Kid with a Bike like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Kid with a Bike as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Kid with a Bike violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Kid with a Bike as mild.
- What did critics think of The Kid with a Bike?
- Critics broadly praised the Dardenne brothers' heartfelt, thematically rich social realism, naturalistic performances, and compassionate treatment of childhood abandonment.
- Which films are like The Kid with a Bike?
- Films with a similar feel include Bicycle Thieves, Kes, The 400 Blows, and The Son.
- How long is The Kid with a Bike?
- The Kid with a Bike runs 87 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Kid with a Bike?
- In United States, The Kid with a Bike streams on Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now.
