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The Thing with Feathers

Play trailer 2:00 Poster for The Thing with Feathers R 2025 1h 44m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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46% Tomatometer 71 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Following the death of his wife, a young father's hold on reality crumbles and a strange presence begins to stalk him from the shadowy recesses of the apartment he shares with his two young sons. A man-like crow, seemingly brought to life from the father's work as an illustrator, is about to become a very real part of all of their lives, ultimately guiding them towards the new shape their family must take.

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The Thing with Feathers

The Thing with Feathers

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Critics Consensus

The Thing with Feathers manages to take flight thanks in part to Benedict Cumberbatch, but choppy characterizations and lack of subtlety make for a rough ride.

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Critics Reviews

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David Jenkins Little White Lies Jan 27
2/5
Empathy and civility are cynically brushed off as performative and self-soothing, as if the film wants you only to believe in the restorative methods that it’s selling. Go to Full Review Sheila O'Malley RogerEbert.com Nov 26
1.5/4
However, when it comes to critiquing a film adaptation, one thing is pretty clear from years of doing this: when the film doesn’t work, the problem often lies in the choices made when adapting the source material. Go to Full Review Wendy Ide Observer (UK) Nov 25
Ultimately, the problem is the decision to show us far too much of the rather shoddy-looking crow, which makes the film literal, prosaic and faintly absurd. Go to Full Review James Mottram South China Morning Post Jan 14
3/5
The terrible burden of grief is laid bare in The Thing with Feathers, a gloomy but undeniably touching drama. Go to Full Review Archika Khurana The Times of India Jan 9
3/5
Thoughtful yet flawed, it is a striking meditation on grief—powerful in moments, exhausting in others, and ultimately more impressive than moving. Go to Full Review Samarth Goyal Hindustan Times Jan 8
2/5
Its heart is in the right place, and Benedict’s performance alone makes it worth engaging with, yet the film’s insistence on externalising pain in such an overbearing way keeps viewers at a distance. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Janine M Dec 4 Cumberbatch did an amazing job portraying grief! I loved the different viewpoints from him, his boys, and the crow. Very artsy film, but I really enjoyed! See more Gabe Fox Dec 1 Beautiful, touching, and intense. See more RJ Nov 30 Beautiful, clever, funny and heart wrenching. Super underrated movie, almost didn't go see it because of the mixed reviews but this will be up there for film of the year for me. See more David P Nov 29 Interesting, but lost my interest 3/4 of the way. See more PollyEsther Nov 29 Benedict Cumberbatch gives an amazing performance and the physicality he brings to all his roles is perfectly suited to this surreal and moving take on grief. Each scene was beautifully and artfully composed, with the camera often taking on a character of its own. As someone who has lost someone close to them recently, I found this film cathartic See more Andrei D @RT74856639 Feb 26 It's much too stylized and focused on the deeper meaning of grief and sadness to be effective as a drama or as a horror See more Read all reviews
The Thing with Feathers

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Cast & Crew

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Dylan Southern

Director

Benedict Cumberbatch

Dad

Richard Boxall

Boy 1

Henry Boxall

Boy 2

Eric Lampaert

Crow

Vinette Robinson

Amanda
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The Thing with Feathers

The Thing with Feathers: Trailer 1 The Thing with Feathers: Trailer 1 2:00 View more videos
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The Thing with Feathers

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Movie Info

Synopsis Following the death of his wife, a young father's hold on reality crumbles and a strange presence begins to stalk him from the shadowy recesses of the apartment he shares with his two young sons. A man-like crow, seemingly brought to life from the father's work as an illustrator, is about to become a very real part of all of their lives, ultimately guiding them towards the new shape their family must take.
Director
Dylan Southern
Producer
Andrea Cornwell, Leah Clarke, Adam Ackland
Screenwriter
Dylan Southern
Distributor
Briarcliff Entertainment
Production Co
Lobo Films, SunnyMarch
Rating
R (Language|Some Bloody Violent Content)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 28, 2025, Limited
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Academy (1.33:1)
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