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DramaHistory TIFF 2013 · People's Choice Award Editor's Pick

12 Years a Slave Review (2013) — 89% Celluloid Score

Directed by Steve McQueen · 2013 ·

Short answer

Is 12 Years a Slave worth watching?

Yes. 12 Years a Slave (2013) earns an 89% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.

89%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

95% Editorial Rating
90% Audience snapshot · excluded
96 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4.1
8.1 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 14m
Age rating
R (US) · 15 (UK) · MA 15+ (Australia) · 14A (Canada) · 15 (South Korea)
Language
English

Also known as 12 Años de Esclavitud 12 Anos de Escravidão それでも夜は明ける 노예 12년 为奴十二年 自由之心 12 Yıllık Esaret 12 anni schiavo

Where to watch

Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists Netflix in South Korea. Check local listings for your region.

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home, Spectrum On Demand

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Where to watch 12 Years a Slave by country

Country Streaming on
Japan U-NEXT
Malaysia Lionsgate Play
South Korea Netflix

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (95/100).
  • Audiences widely enjoyed it (90%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (96/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.1/5).
  • IMDb users score it 8.1/10.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama, history pick

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is 12 Years a Slave worth watching?

    Yes — 12 Years a Slave earns an 89% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama, history pick.

    Celluloid verdict

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

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

    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.

    Watch the Trailer

    12 Years a Slave stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    12 Years a Slave production still 1
    12 Years a Slave production still 2
    12 Years a Slave production still 3
    12 Years a Slave production still 4
    12 Years a Slave production still 5
    12 Years a Slave production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    12 Years a Slave: frequently asked questions

    Is 12 Years a Slave worth watching?

    Yes. 12 Years a Slave (2013) has a Celluloid Score of 89%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch 12 Years a Slave?

    In the United States you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: U-NEXT in Japan; Lionsgate Play in Malaysia; Netflix in South Korea. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is 12 Years a Slave?

    12 Years a Slave runs 2 hours 14 minutes (134 minutes).

    What is 12 Years a Slave rated?

    12 Years a Slave is rated R in the United States, 15 in the UK, MA 15+ in Australia, 14A in Canada and 15 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in 12 Years a Slave?

    12 Years a Slave is directed by Steve McQueen and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano.

    What is the Metascore for 12 Years a Slave?

    Metacritic's Metascore for 12 Years a Slave is 96 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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