The Giver

M
2014
|
97 mins
Trailer
Poster for The Giver

In a utopian future where society lives in ignorant bliss, only a sage known as The Giver (Jeff Bridges) possesses... More

Where to watch The Giver

The Giver is available to stream in New Zealand now... More on YouTube and Netflix and Google TV and Apple TV Store and Academy On Demand.

There is no screening information for this title.

The Giver | Ratings & Reviews

"Based on Lois Lowry’s bestselling young adult novel, helmed by action director Phillip Noyce (Salt, Sliver), starring the likes of Meryl Streep, Jeff Bridges and, er, Taylor Swift, The Giver is another Divergent Twilight Ender’s Game. Introduced as a seemingly perfect society, the world of the film is soon revealed to be an individuality-stomping dystopia. Leading us through is Jonas (Brenton Thwaites), chosen by the Chief Elder (Meryl Streep, rocking a grey wig), to receive the memories of Jeff Bridges’ Giver. Bridges’ elderly Obi Wan teaches of a world before the fascism of ordered perfection, blowing Jonas’s mind with tales of art and freedom."

Flicks, Adam FrescoFlicks

"The Giver reaches the screen in a version that captures the essence of Lowry’s affecting allegory but little of its mythic pull."

VarietyVariety

"While there are echoes and plot resonances from other films and sources, as a film The Giver always feels fresh."

Urban CinefileUrban Cinefile

"The enervating hash of dystopian dread, vague religiosity and commercial advertising-style uplift is nothing if not stale."

The New York TimesThe New York Times

"There's enough that's fundamentally good in the meat of film not to wholly reject what The Giver is giving us."

The GuardianThe Guardian

"Every aspect of The Giver feels both painfully familiar and like an awkward, unsupportable stretch. For a film about the deep, hidden dangers of enforced sameness, that’s almost hilariously ironic."

The DissolveThe Dissolve

"The problems show up during the climactic action sequences. Logic is jettisoned and once that happens, the basic flaws in the whole scenario become all too obvious."

Sydney Morning HeraldSydney Morning Herald

"A lazy ending mars this fine, if generic, take on a much-loved YA novel."

Hollywood ReporterHollywood Reporter

The Giver | Details

Rating
M, Violence
Runtime
97
Genre
Drama, Science Fiction
Country of origin
USA

The Giver | Trailers