Overview
A harrowing tale of survival and resilience in the face of unimaginable cruelty.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- harrowing
- oppressive
- somber
- historical film study
- serious discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded Steve McQueen's film as brilliantly crafted, exceptionally acted, and an essential but deliberately harrowing depiction of American slavery.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Solomon's captivity, beatings, forced labor, and constant threat are rendered with remorseless directness.
Solomon struggles to survive while retaining his name, skills, memory, and sense of self.
The film depicts slavery as an organized economic and racial system, not merely the cruelty of individual owners.
Long takes hold on Solomon's ordeal and the bodily consequences of violence, intensifying direct witness.
Films like 12 Years a Slave, and why
Amistad
shared historical drama, slavery-era setting, moral gravity, and unflinching depiction of racial oppression
The Color Purple
shared biographical drama, institutionalized racism, historical injustice, and powerful lead performance
The Birth of a Nation
shared period drama, resistance to racial oppression, and emotionally devastating survival narrative
Movie Details
- Director
- Steve McQueen
- Release Date
- 2013-10-18
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (12243)
Cast
- Chiwetel Ejiofor
- Michael Fassbender
- Lupita Nyong'o
- Benedict Cumberbatch
- Paul Dano
- Sarah Paulson
- Adepero Oduye
- Scoot McNairy
- Paul Giamatti
- Brad Pitt
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is 12 Years a Slave about?
- A free Black musician is abducted into antebellum slavery and fights for survival, dignity, and a path back to freedom.
- What is 12 Years a Slave like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 12 Years a Slave as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is 12 Years a Slave violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in 12 Years a Slave as graphic.
- What did critics think of 12 Years a Slave?
- Critics broadly regarded Steve McQueen's film as brilliantly crafted, exceptionally acted, and an essential but deliberately harrowing depiction of American slavery.
- Which films are like 12 Years a Slave?
- Films with a similar feel include Amistad, The Color Purple, and The Birth of a Nation.
- How long is 12 Years a Slave?
- 12 Years a Slave runs 134 minutes.
- Where can I watch 12 Years a Slave?
- In United States, 12 Years a Slave is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
