Shame

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Shame

NC-17,

2011,

1h 39m,

Drama

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Watchlist

79%

224 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

224 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Successful and handsome New Yorker Brandon (Michael Fassbender) seems to live an ordinary life, but he hides a terrible secret behind his mask of normalcy: Brandon is a sex addict. His constant need for gratification numbs him to just about everything else. But, when Sissy (Carey Mulligan), Brandon's needy sister, unexpectedly blows into town, crashes at his apartment and invades his privacy, Brandon is finally forced to confront his addiction head-on.

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Critics Consensus

Boasting stellar performances by Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan, Shame is a powerful plunge into the mania of addiction affliction.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Oct 28, 2022

Follows an arc familiar from numerous other films that deal with the theme of addiction — an accelerated freefall towards rock bottom followed by self-awareness and a hint of redemption.

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Noah Berlatsky

The Atlantic

Aug 28, 2019

Shame is, indeed, a perfect distillation of the suffering-guy archetype.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 8, 2017

A+

Cleverly written and beautifully portrayed, Shame is a sensitive look at sex and addiction we've rarely seen before in film.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 28, 2025

4/5

Throughout the movie, the camera and point-of-view rarely leaves Fassbender and we are privy to watching this clash of emotions and habits.

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James Croot

The Post NZ

Apr 18, 2023

3.5/5

There's no doubting that it's artfully shot, but its lack of dialogue and challengingly languorous pacing will be patience-testing for many.

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Wael Khairy

The Cinephile Fix

Mar 31, 2023

Steve McQueen’s painful cinematic display of loneliness in the city features acting of the highest caliber.

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Harry W

Apr 15, 2019

7.5/10 -(Seen on 4/14/19)

Harry L

Apr 3, 2019

Great movie. You almost watch it with bated breath as Brandon's life collapses under the weight of his secret. Fassbender delivers a terrific performance.

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Hermione S

Mar 13, 2019

I didn't get y is it that famous

Feb 14, 2019

A couple of weeks ago I was watching a film called 'Shame' directed by Steve McQueen and staring Michael Fassbender. If you haven't seen it the story is about a sex addict in New York. As I was watching it felt I wanted to write a poem based on the film so I wrote this. It has been slightly edited since the original. The main character is in a hotel room looking at himself in the mirror. Looking Glass! I You I know You Know I know you You know Me I know You know Me! Devils Eyes Killer Smile Poets Heart? You see me in your dreams You pass me on the street You will die of intense pleasure Or ignore me when we meet I may be your worst nightmare And never leave your side Then drive us to the river Where we drift into the night Intense anticipation before the final wave Engulfs all those things you value As I turn "You" into my slave!

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Albus L

Jan 10, 2019

Anche se di solito non apprezzo il film troppo esplicito, in questo caso il centro della narrazione si focalizza su un problema serio e mai scontato, mai preso in considerazione da nessun film che io abbia già visto. La regia è ai massimi livelli, un talento puro e maturo sprigionato dal grandissimo regista che di recente ha dimostrato nuovamente le sue straordinarie doti. Ho apprezzato moltissimo come riesca a mantenere coerente uno stile ben preciso e particolare, che si riflette nella potente e intricata personalità del protagonista, un personaggio estremamente interessante interpretato dal miglior attore per questo particolare ruolo. Il finale sprigiona tutta l'emozione potenziale repressa nei minuti precedenti, rivelando un grande messaggio ed un grande insegnamento morale che appartiene ad una sfera molto più ampia, una condizione degradante di prigionia di ogni essere umano.

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Harry S

Dec 15, 2018

Steve McQueen's most intimate and most compelling film.

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Steve McQueen

Director

Michael Fassbender

Brandon

Carey Mulligan

Sissy

James Badge Dale

David

Nicole Beharie

Marianne

Alex Manette

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Synopsis

Successful and handsome New Yorker Brandon (Michael Fassbender) seems to live an ordinary life, but he hides a terrible secret behind his mask of normalcy: Brandon is a sex addict. His constant need for gratification numbs him to just about everything else. But, when Sissy (Carey Mulligan), Brandon's needy sister, unexpectedly blows into town, crashes at his apartment and invades his privacy, Brandon is finally forced to confront his addiction head-on.

Director: Steve McQueen
Producer: Iain Canning, Emile Sherman
Screenwriter: Steve McQueen, Abi Morgan
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Searchlight Pictures, UK Film Council, Film4, See-Saw Films
Rating: NC-17 (Some Explicit Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 2, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.0M
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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