Never Let Me Go

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2:31

Never Let Me Go

R,

2010,

1h 44m,

Drama/

Sci-Fi

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71%

184 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

184 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Friends Kathy (Carey Mulligan), Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) grow up together at a seemingly idyllic boarding school in the English countryside. When they leave the school and the horrible truth of their true purpose is revealed to them, they must simultaneously confront deep-seated feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal that threaten to tear their friendship asunder.

Critics Consensus

With Never Let Me Go, Mark Romanek has delivered a graceful adaptation that captures the spirit of the Ishiguro novel -- which will be precisely the problem for some viewers.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 30, 2018

Perhaps such passive solemnity is true to the book, but on screen, along with the sad tinkling piano and the sad violins that just won't quit, the overall effect is so enervating that you simply don't feel a damned thing.

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Kaleem Aftab

Independent (UK)

May 15, 2018

The lack of dramatic tension means it's difficult to emotionally connect with the central characters and their dilemma.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 8, 2017

C+

The script could have done better to translate the concept. It works as a big picture concept, but doesn't get the treatment it deserves here.

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Stephen A. Russell

Orion's Shoulder (Substack)

Mar 6, 2025

The psychological damage the reality of cloning unleashes in this acting tour de force of inexorable fate is as yuck-making as it’s possible to be.

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Michael Leader

Den of Geek

May 7, 2024

4/5

Ishiguro's gentle science fiction concept is rendered with melancholy subtlety by Romanek.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 3, 2023

3.5/4

This disturbing narrative about believable characters in their fatalistic world offers an affecting drama that stays with the viewer long after the film has ended.

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Mar 5, 2019

This is one of those films that has touched my soul and has lingered in the back of my head long after I had watched it. Rachel Portman's score also fits the tone perfectly.

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Harry G

Jan 29, 2019

First of all I've never read the book so I can't compare. The movie has an interesting premise; it wants to be a tale about profound, true love (which is something I'm usually a sucker for...) and the actors are giving good performances. But the whole thing feels very detached, cold and devoid of emotions, as if someone was just writing a perfunctory summary of a beautiful story. Maybe this very clinical approach was intentional to match the story but I didn't feel like it worked for me; it has qualities so it's quite hard to explain why I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either.

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Jan 15, 2019

Don't waste your time. Save that 1 hour and 43 minutes for something better.

Hagrid S

Jan 13, 2019

Great acting, no impact from the film itself... especially when telling such a horrifying story

Finn S

Dec 21, 2018

If you've read the book, this follows it pretty closely but unfortunately it just didn't work for me. I loved the book but i don't think the slow burner of a romance works so well on film.

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Hermione W

Dec 20, 2018

not my favourite movie

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Mark Romanek

Director

Carey Mulligan

Kathy

Andrew Garfield

Tommy

Keira Knightley

Ruth

Izzy Meikle-Small

Young Kathy

Ella Purnell

Young Ruth

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86%

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Irina Palm

65%

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Irina Palm

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Never Let Me Go: Trailer 1

2:31

Now Playing

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Synopsis

Friends Kathy (Carey Mulligan), Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) grow up together at a seemingly idyllic boarding school in the English countryside. When they leave the school and the horrible truth of their true purpose is revealed to them, they must simultaneously confront deep-seated feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal that threaten to tear their friendship asunder.

Director: Mark Romanek
Producer: Allon Reich, Andrew Macdonald
Screenwriter: Alex Garland
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: DNA Films, Film 4, Fox Searchlight
Rating: R (Sexuality|Nudity)
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 15, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 26, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Runtime: 1h 44m

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