Never Let Me Go

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2:31

Never Let Me Go

R

2010

1h 44m

Drama

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

184 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Friends Kathy (Carey Mulligan), Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) grow up together at a seemingly idyllic boarding school in the English countryside. When they leave the school and the horrible truth of their true purpose is revealed to them, they must simultaneously confront deep-seated feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal that threaten to tear their friendship asunder.

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Critics Consensus

With Never Let Me Go, Mark Romanek has delivered a graceful adaptation that captures the spirit of the Ishiguro novel -- which will be precisely the problem for some viewers.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 30, 2018

Perhaps such passive solemnity is true to the book, but on screen, along with the sad tinkling piano and the sad violins that just won't quit, the overall effect is so enervating that you simply don't feel a damned thing.

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Kaleem Aftab

Independent (UK)

May 15, 2018

The lack of dramatic tension means it's difficult to emotionally connect with the central characters and their dilemma.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 8, 2017

C+

The script could have done better to translate the concept. It works as a big picture concept, but doesn't get the treatment it deserves here.

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Stephen A. Russell

Orion's Shoulder (Substack)

Mar 6, 2025

The psychological damage the reality of cloning unleashes in this acting tour de force of inexorable fate is as yuck-making as it’s possible to be.

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Michael Leader

Den of Geek

May 7, 2024

4/5

Ishiguro's gentle science fiction concept is rendered with melancholy subtlety by Romanek.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 3, 2023

3.5/4

This disturbing narrative about believable characters in their fatalistic world offers an affecting drama that stays with the viewer long after the film has ended.

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Sabriel W

@RT89814517 Oct 11, 2026

NO stars. An absolute insult to human resilience and common sense. Features a premise so completely ridiculous and psychologically broken that it ruins the entire film. We are expected to believe an entire population of clones would just politely walk to their deaths and allow themselves to be carved up for organs without ever trying to run away. They are given keys to cars and total freedom to drive unsupervised across the English countryside, yet not a single one of them tries to cross a border, hide in a city, or fight for their life. It entirely defies the fundamental survival instinct of any living being. Worse, critics praise this garbage as a reflection of the "human condition." When real people face terminal illness, violence, or trauma, they do not just shrug and surrender...they fight like hell. This movie glorifies helplessness, strips characters of any pulse, and wastes two hours on pseudo-intellectual trash. Save your time. This isn't deep, and it isn't a masterpiece.

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Jurre V

@RT86611871 Oct 8, 2026

holy shit worst movie ever watched this in class and the main character gets raped. actually horrible dont watch.

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Paulo V

@RT85816133 Sep 27, 2026

An implausible melodrama. Very mawkish.

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Almir C

@Afcarry Sep 13, 2026

Just awful, from beginning to end

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Lisa D

@RT97540565 Jul 31, 2026

An unexpected story, that on face value may seem absurd. I spent lots of moments thinking what I would do, or wondering why they hadn’t plotted their escape from the oppressive existence they were born into. Even true love could not save them. And also realising how true it is in my own existence - born into a culture, a belief system, an acceptance of the world as it has been presented to me - with no real hope to live otherwise. Even when you think there might be, only to learn, there isn’t. It stirred a deep sadness in me.

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diogo13 T

@Tua_mera Jul 12, 2026

When the movie started, I said, "This looks like an organ-selling scheme"—and then they revealed that's exactly what it was. (Foi em ingles porque a IA estava a bloquear)

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Mark Romanek

Director

Carey Mulligan

Kathy

Andrew Garfield

Tommy

Keira Knightley

Ruth

Izzy Meikle-Small

Young Kathy

Ella Purnell

Young Ruth

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Never Let Me Go: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Friends Kathy (Carey Mulligan), Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) grow up together at a seemingly idyllic boarding school in the English countryside. When they leave the school and the horrible truth of their true purpose is revealed to them, they must simultaneously confront deep-seated feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal that threaten to tear their friendship asunder.

Director: Mark Romanek
Producer: Allon Reich, Andrew Macdonald
Screenwriter: Alex Garland
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: DNA Films, Film 4, Fox Searchlight
Rating: R (Sexuality|Nudity)
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 15, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 26, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Runtime: 1h 44m

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