# 12 Years a Slave (2013) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/12-years-a-slave-2013/
Last reviewed: 2026-07-23

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 89% |
| Critic Score | 95% |
| Audience Score | 90% |
| Metascore | 96/100 |
| Letterboxd | 4.1/5 |
| IMDb | 8.1/10 |
| Director | Steve McQueen |
| Genres | Drama, History |
| Runtime | 134 min |
| Festival premiere | TIFF 2013 (People's Choice Award) |

## Quick answer

12 Years a Slave (2013) earns a 89% Celluloid Score — Recommended. 12 Years a Slave — People's Choice Award at TIFF 2013. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid. Metascore 96/100. Directed by Steve McQueen.

## Critics consensus

12 Years a Slave — People's Choice Award at TIFF 2013. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid.

## Synopsis

In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.

## Cast

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Adepero Oduye, Scoot McNairy, Paul Giamatti, Brad Pitt

## Accolades

Premiered at TIFF 2013, where it won the People's Choice Award.

## Common questions

**Is 12 Years a Slave worth watching?**
12 Years a Slave holds a 89% Celluloid Score. 12 Years a Slave — People's Choice Award at TIFF 2013. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid.

**What is 12 Years a Slave about?**
In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.

**Who directed 12 Years a Slave?**
12 Years a Slave (2013) was directed by Steve McQueen.

**What is the Celluloid Score of 12 Years a Slave?**
89% — the average of five public sources: critics 95%, audience 90%, Metascore 96/100, Letterboxd 4.1/5, and IMDb 8.1/10.

**Where can I watch 12 Years a Slave?**
Streaming availability varies by region — see the 12 Years a Slave page for current options.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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