Broken
A North London girl's passage into adolescence unfolds amid family fragility, neighborhood violence, and the unreliable moral example of adults.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- harrowing
- witty
- reflective viewing
- arthouse drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film emotionally engaging and well performed, especially by Eloise Laurence, while judging its crowded narrative and melodramatic finale uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Skunk's observations and experiences organize the film's view of violence, illness, and family instability.
The North London cul-de-sac is defined by neighborly surveillance, bullying, violence, and escalating domestic tensions.
Rufus Norris combines kitchen sink social realism with lyrical shooting and theatricalized fantasy.
Skunk is forced to navigate medical emergencies, abusive behavior, romantic confusion, and unstable adult relationships.
Films like Broken, and why
The Selfish Giant
british coming-of-age drama combining family strain, adolescent perspective, and social realism
Fish Tank
emotionally intense coming-of-age drama centered on a vulnerable young protagonist in a troubled community
Kes
kitchen sink social realism with fractured families, neighborhood conflict, and a young person's constrained viewpoint
The Cement Garden
coming-of-age drama using heightened style to explore family dysfunction and painful adolescence
Movie Details
- Director
- Rufus Norris
- Release Date
- 2012-08-22
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (300)
Cast
- Tim Roth
- Eloise Laurence
- Cillian Murphy
- Zana Marjanović
- Robert Emms
- Rory Kinnear
- Rosalie Kosky
- Bill Milner
- Denis Lawson
- Clare Burt
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Broken about?
- A North London girl's passage into adolescence unfolds amid family fragility, neighborhood violence, and the unreliable moral example of adults.
- What is Broken like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Broken as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Broken violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Broken as moderate.
- What did critics think of Broken?
- Critics broadly found the film emotionally engaging and well performed, especially by Eloise Laurence, while judging its crowded narrative and melodramatic finale uneven.
- Which films are like Broken?
- Films with a similar feel include The Selfish Giant, Fish Tank, Kes, and The Cement Garden.
- How long is Broken?
- Broken runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Broken?
- In United States, Broken is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, FlixFling.
