The Children Act

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2:04

The Children Act

R

2018

1h 45m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

74%

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112 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Judge Fiona May must race against the clock to determine the fate of a teenage boy in need of a lifesaving blood transfusion, stretching her life and her fractured marriage to the breaking point.

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Critics Consensus

The Children Act showcases yet another powerful performance from Emma Thompson, who elevates this undeniably flawed picture into an affecting adult drama.

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Linda Marric

HeyUGuys

Jun 5, 2019

3/5

Emma Thompson once again proves she's our finest actress working today. The power of the film is diluted slightly by an insistence of adherence to the source but the fine performances shine through.

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David Stratton

The Australian

Nov 26, 2018

4/5

This is a film that poses important moral and legal questions, but it's also a personal story in which a diligent woman, who regularly faces intense criticism, has to confront several deeply troubling personal problems.

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Wenlei Ma

News.com.au

Nov 25, 2018

3.5/5

The Children Act is a mature and thoughtful film that is, above all, a wonderful showcase for a brilliant Emma Thompson.

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Max Greene

InSession Film

Aug 1, 2024

B

It toys with your emotions, but never enough to make you care too much about the main character. Perhaps this is the point; to keep the audience at a cold distance, mimicking the barrier of law that Fiona Maye uses to protect herself...

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Alix Turner

Ready Steady Cut

Feb 2, 2021

4/5

A simple story about a senior judge's decision against the backdrop of her grinding-to-a-halt marriage made more complex because of the consequences. A film which will make you think about your world, instead of escape from it.

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Zehra Phelan

Flavourmag

Jul 22, 2020

3/5

The first half sets a fundamental picture of elegance and nuanced complexity. However, it's second act wanes in this momentum, it almost feels like there is a big chunk of an essential storyline missing to complete a fulfilling centrepiece.

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Demi D

@redpoodle Sep 8, 2026

The Children Act was a very interesting, beautiful, moving and heartbreaking movie. I really got emotionally involved!

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Debra P

@Grammy5 Aug 24, 2026

Excellent. Well done. Thompson is a treasure

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Lewellen P

@Lewellen Jan 20, 2026

This film is exceptional. It is societally relevant in representing the soul sickness of young men today. The lack of mentorship, the destruction of our educational systems, the influence of social media and violence, addiction rates all combine to produce a devastating vacancy in young men who are lost and seeking. In addition, it speaks to those who are in various fields such as law and teaching and psychology whose philosophies rarely extend to real help for them.

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Casamh H

@RT41323483 Aug 25, 2025

Very good acting and story

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R T

@RT32375692 Jul 8, 2025

A mesmerising and haunting performance by Emma Thompson with sound performances also by Stanley Tucci, Fionn Whitehead and Jason Watkins. The complexities of emotion in Ian McEwan‘s novel brought to life on screen. It’s a ‘must see’ in my view!

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James S

@RT68870252 Jun 17, 2025

I read Ian McEwan's brilliant book some years ago and this masterpiece truly brings it to life. It really is a powerful and mesmerising film. But the stand out aspect is Emma Thompson's acting - literally off the scale. Even the scoring cues and background music are beautiful. True QUALITY.

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Richard Eyre

Director

Emma Thompson

Fiona Maye

Fionn Whitehead

Adam Henry

Stanley Tucci

Jack

Ben Chaplin

Kevin Henry

Anthony Calf

Mark Berner

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Synopsis

Judge Fiona May must race against the clock to determine the fate of a teenage boy in need of a lifesaving blood transfusion, stretching her life and her fractured marriage to the breaking point.

Director: Richard Eyre
Producer: Duncan Kenworthy
Screenwriter: Ian McEwan
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Toledo Productions
Rating: R (A Sexual Reference)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 14, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 11, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $432.5K
Runtime: 1h 45m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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