Kidulthood (2005)

82% of users liked it
(18,874 ratings)

This British drama follows a day in the lives of four poor youths living in an impoverished neighborhood in West London, where the pressure and desperation of poverty propels each of them towards the choice between a life of bleakness, violence, and crime, and the terrifying prospect of striving for… More This British drama follows a day in the lives of four poor youths living in an impoverished neighborhood in West London, where the pressure and desperation of poverty propels each of them towards the choice between a life of bleakness, violence, and crime, and the terrifying prospect of striving for a better life. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Menhaj Huda
Written By: Noel Clarke
Genres: Drama, Television

On DVD: Nov 11, 2008
Studio: Revolver Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Despite being rather graphic and unflinching in its subject matter, there is a genuine humanity toward its characters.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
[A] brutal, shocking, at times downright revolting film about kids who are, almost to a one, apparently soulless, either deadened to the emptiness of their lives or actively embracing the deadness...
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
The fact is, while Kidulthood tries to be raw and gritty, it's really just a mish-mash of events that's missing characters that you genuinely care for or even begin to understand.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean !

A very good film with some young English actors. I'm not sure if this was a film made for TV but it has that feel to it. It's raw, gritty and brutal showing the life of a group of teenagers in West London. Unfortunately some scenes are quite true to what is going on with… More
A very good film with some young English actors. I'm not sure if this was a film made for TV but it has that feel to it. It's raw, gritty and brutal showing the life of a group of teenagers in West London. Unfortunately some scenes are quite true to what is going on with inner city teenagers today and the gang culture. Fades a little towards the end but still a good watch.......now to see the sequel adulthood.
Anthony L

Hmmm, Kidulthood is a strange fish. It's a little exaggerated but then again, nasty stuff is going on today as far as youth is concerned. I think a more honest approach with the same brutality would have been more effective, and for every good performance there are 3 terrible… More
Hmmm, Kidulthood is a strange fish. It's a little exaggerated but then again, nasty stuff is going on today as far as youth is concerned. I think a more honest approach with the same brutality would have been more effective, and for every good performance there are 3 terrible ones. The absence of Jaime Winstone would have also helped tenfold! Bare nonsense and ting innit blud! Will prob check out the sequel though innit!
Film C

I Really enjoyed this movie!! suprising really because i dont normally like movies like this i guess you can compare it to this is england an other london movies based on poorer and gangster children who turn to crime. But this movie is brilliant and enlightening, i like the story… More
I Really enjoyed this movie!! suprising really because i dont normally like movies like this i guess you can compare it to this is england an other london movies based on poorer and gangster children who turn to crime. But this movie is brilliant and enlightening, i like the story and the acting and the portrayal of london children and being poor efects you. Apart from the anoying chav language of 'yh blood' 'your goin to mash um up' and all of that i fiind annoying but looking past the dialog it really is a fantastic movie!!
Lady D

An impressive (almost too realistic in parts) gritty Drama. Noel Clarke wrote and Acted in this film which shows a frightening reality and insight into the teen culture of England. A truly intriguing tale which plays on all your emotions, from anger to empathy, to frustration and… More
An impressive (almost too realistic in parts) gritty Drama. Noel Clarke wrote and Acted in this film which shows a frightening reality and insight into the teen culture of England. A truly intriguing tale which plays on all your emotions, from anger to empathy, to frustration and hope. Nothing is hidden in this raw peek into a world, some people are completely oblivious to. Looking forward to 'Adulthood'. A great role played by Ami Ameen here, he stood out against all the others.
Gordon A

Grimly depressing tale of lost innocence which one hopes is grossly exaggerated for dramatic effect.
Luke B

Once you get over the ingenious title of this film you can sit back and enjoy watching a a load of scummy shit heads act like twat-ends. The film certainly has enough talent behind it, at least in the acting department. Its desire to shockucate (like shock and educate, I'm still… More
Once you get over the ingenious title of this film you can sit back and enjoy watching a a load of scummy shit heads act like twat-ends. The film certainly has enough talent behind it, at least in the acting department. Its desire to shockucate (like shock and educate, I'm still impressed by the title of this film) is a bit desperate at times. These characters are mostly embarrassing to watch, this may be what it's like in the real world but that's just as embarrassing. The editing and handling of issues is also poor, with every time a gun or knife is handed over we get loud ominous music. Should have shoved in a bolt of lighting and some thunder as well. There's enough to enjoy, but it seems to be a film about kids for kids. In fact I preferred it when this film was called Kids, at least those characters has an essence of humanity to them.
Justin F

This is terrible. Why 4 stars, I can only think all the cast and their friends have voted or those who are fans of the music of The Streets? The acting from almost everyone is a shocker and I was just waiting for Vicky Pollard to turn up and say "yeah but, no but". The only… More
This is terrible. Why 4 stars, I can only think all the cast and their friends have voted or those who are fans of the music of The Streets? The acting from almost everyone is a shocker and I was just waiting for Vicky Pollard to turn up and say "yeah but, no but". The only exceptions are Noel Clarke who is usually good at playing a bully and the dude who plays Trifes Uncle (complete nutter). Id like to see Clarke play more different roles though like the one he played in Doctor Who. My main reason for disliking this is that the film is not positive in any way I couldnt warm to any of the characters and I found myself wishing that theyd all get shot at the end. This includes most of the kids parents in the film as very few of them were shown in a positive light the worst of which was "cool mum" who urged her daughter to wear a condom whilst she was being physically abused in her bedroom by her boyfriend. The film tries to be gritty and at times succeeds but is totally trounced in this area by films such as Fish Tank & Harry Brown.
Lea L

Kidulthood - Before adulthood comes.. It's just another day at school for West London teenagers Trife, Jay and Moony: beatings in the classroom, sex on the playing field and drugs in the schoolyard. But things are about to flip sharply for this tight… More
Kidulthood - Before adulthood comes.. It's just another day at school for West London teenagers Trife, Jay and Moony: beatings in the classroom, sex on the playing field and drugs in the schoolyard. But things are about to flip sharply for this tight trio and their crowd. With school cancelled following the tragic suicide of bullied pupil Katie, the teenagers are all forced to face their own responsibilities and blame for the situations they have got themselves into. Trife is being tempted with fast money, easy women and the gangster lifestyle; while his girlfriend Alisa offers an escape to what she promises will be a better life. Trife must make a choice. But with word spreading that Alisa has slept with someone else, will he make the right one? Along with Jay and Moony, he also has the school bully Sam to contend with. Sam is out for revenge after Jay steals his girlfriend Claire who he has been physically abusing and the trio (Trife, Jay and Moony) humiliate and beat him in his own house. Trife's girlfriend Alisa is also having a bad day. She's just learnt that she's pregnant. But her best friend Becky is only interested in dragging her out on a drug and shopping binge. With the brother of dead Katie set on revenge and everyone heading to the same party, the scene is set for a decisive collision. It's step up or back down time.. good movie..
ken j

This movie follows the story of a group of british teens as they deal with the everyday problems most teens would have and shines a really bright light on them you have a group of friends Trife, Jay and Moony who have to deal with the school bully name Sam pregent girlfriends and just… More
This movie follows the story of a group of british teens as they deal with the everyday problems most teens would have and shines a really bright light on them you have a group of friends Trife, Jay and Moony who have to deal with the school bully name Sam pregent girlfriends and just overall being a teen in London then there is the other story of Trife girlfrind and her friend Becky running around town sleeping with guys for drugs and just being out of control it doesnt help that Trife girlfriend is pregent with his kid all of this comes to a head one night at a party cause the three friends attacked the bully in his own house and took his girlfriend along with them which leads to a very real very shocking ending that will change all there lives forever. Really amazing movie reminds me of the movies of Larry Clark just set in london well worth the watch for fans of Larry Clark and also if you can sit threw the thick accents i could and would recommend this movie.
Sarah B

Noel Clarke's baby may not be happy, cute or any way positive. but it is an affecting portrayal of the side of kids we don't want to see. I don't know how true-to-life it is, but the performances are so naturalistic, especially Winstone, the locations so realistic and… More
Noel Clarke's baby may not be happy, cute or any way positive. but it is an affecting portrayal of the side of kids we don't want to see. I don't know how true-to-life it is, but the performances are so naturalistic, especially Winstone, the locations so realistic and the storyline so compelling, you forget all that and get lost in this dark world. Events around the same time and after this film came out, make it prescient as well as stunning.
Chris M

A stunning achievement in british film.