Young Adam

Play trailer

Young Adam

NC-17,

2003,

1h 38m,

Crime/

Drama/

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

62%

123 Reviews

Tomatometer

49%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

62%

Tomatometer

123 Reviews

49%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

An amoral drifter (Ewan McGregor) has an affair with a woman (Tilda Swinton) stuck in a passionless marriage in the 1950s Scotland.

Critics Consensus

A grim mood piece with good performances from the leads.

Read Critics Reviews

Neil Norman

London Evening Standard

Jan 11, 2018

A grim, intelligent and fiercely compelling film.

Go to Full Review

Alexander Walker

London Evening Standard

Jan 10, 2018

The author of the book on which it is based, Alexander Trocchi, who died a heroin addict, was once tipped to be the Scottish William Burroughs, and the film conveys his malignant view of life pretty accurately.

Go to Full Review

Bill Muller

Arizona Republic

Jun 10, 2004

3/5

Whether you're talking about Young Adam the movie or young Adam the character, neither is very likable.

Go to Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Sep 11, 2020

1.5/5

Amidst all the dropping of troosers and unbuttoning of blooses, there might well be a story going on, but you will be hard-pressed to follow it for long.

Go to Full Review

Richard von Busack

MetroActive

Mar 27, 2014

2.5/5

Watching this film, one gets the sense of a once-arresting book that couldn't get arrested today.

Go to Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

May 5, 2009

C

nudity is perhaps the only intriguing element in this ponderous and torpid story about Joe (McGregor), a young drifter who takes work on a barge operated by a husband and wife (Peter Mullan and Tilda Swinton) after the mysterious death of his ex-girlfrien

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Abraham S

Oct 15, 2018

Written and directed by David Mackenzie adapted from the novel written by Alexander Trocchi starring Ewan McGregor as Joe who works for Les ( Peter Mullan) and his wife Ella (Tilda Swinton) and at the opening both Joe and Les would then uncover a body that was floating by the harbor. And while waiting for police, viewers at this point are unbeknownst the identity of the girl until the movie progresses with one revelation after another.

See more

Read all reviews

David Mackenzie

Director

Ewan McGregor

Joe Taylor

Tilda Swinton

Ella Gault

Peter Mullan

Les Gault

Emily Mortimer

Cathie Dimly

Jack McElhone

Jim Gault

The Notorious Bettie Page

58%

51%

The Notorious Bettie Page

Watchlist

Candy

47%

77%

Candy

Watchlist

The Business of Strangers

81%

51%

The Business of Strangers

Watchlist

Stoned

16%

44%

Stoned

Watchlist

The Grey Zone

70%

74%

The Grey Zone

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

An amoral drifter (Ewan McGregor) has an affair with a woman (Tilda Swinton) stuck in a passionless marriage in the 1950s Scotland.

Director: David Mackenzie
Producer: Jeremy Thomas
Screenwriter: Alexander Trocchi
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Film Council, Scottish Screen
Rating: NC-17 (Some Disturbing Behavior|Language|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 16, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $767.2K
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo, Surround

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings