We Need to Talk about Kevin review

 Number 809 on the top 1000 films of all time is the 2011 psychological thriller 'We Need to talk about Kevin.'

Franklin (John C Reilly) and Eva (Tilda Swinton) are parents to the deeply troubled Kevin (Ezra Miller.) However, Kevin only shows his dark side around his mother. As he grows older and his acts become more disturbing, his mother wanders how much she is to blame for the sins of her son.

In this film, director Lynne Ramsay tries to tackle the age-old question of nature vs nurture. Is evil innate within us all? Or is it the product of our environments? There is a case to be made for both, picking from a wide range of examples across history. In the case of Kevin, I think he was born evil. Yes, we see that he was an accident and his mother didn't really want him, but he also wasn't abused or neglected as a child. His father dotes on him and his mother tries her best to form a relationship with him, only to be constantly rebuffed.

This makes Eva all the more of a tragic character. And Tilda Swinton plays her very sympathetically. It's all too easy for parents to blame themselves for the failings of their children. Are there obvious signs you're too blind to see? John C. Reilly was also good as Franklin. He might primarily be known as a comedy actor, but he can also do the drama well.

As for Ezra Miller, Kevin is as dodgy here as Ezra Miller is in real life. Sure they were good as the sarcastic, laconic, psychopathic son, but I don't think they were anything special. They didn't bring anything new to the role.

Nonetheless, this was still a stylish thriller with a distinctive look that leaves you with plenty to think about. Nature or nurture? Let me know your answer in the comments below.