User Reviews

Based on Arielle Holmes’ real-life journals—and starring Holmes herself—Heaven Knows What plunges into the frantic, unromantic life of a young heroin addict navigating love, addiction, and the city’s indifference. The plot is loose, more loop than line, echoing the instability of Harley’s world. Holmes is a revelation: raw, unschooled, but impossible to ignore. Her performance isn’t “acted” in any traditional sense—it’s lived. Caleb Landry Jones also turns up the chaos as Ilya, a twitchy, violent vortex of emotion and ego. The film’s handheld camera style and synth-laced score ratchet the tension to near-unbearable levels. It’s not enjoyable. It’s not meant to be. But it’s magnetic. The Safdies don’t explain or moralise—they just immerse. And in doing so, they capture a New York that most filmmakers wouldn’t dare look in the eye.

I liked it. Kinda slow pacing. Not a clear story line. More like looking into the life of a homeless person for a few days.

"Heaven Knows What" é um filme muito estranho e confuso, mas ainda assim interessante. 7/10

Um filme muito estranho e confuso, mas ainda assim interessante. "Heaven Knows What", no fundo, fala das drogas (neste caso, a heróina) e dos efeitos trágicos do amor, que leva pessoas desesperadas a fazerem coisas insanas e ridículas.

Homeless and drug addiction, with the backdrop of a little romance. This film reminds me the Al Pacino's 'The Panic in Needle Park'. The independent filmmakers Safdie brothers directed it that inspired by the real life story of Arielle Holmes, who also starred in the lead role. This is definitely a depressing film, seeing those faces, eyes, makes sick. But a very realistic film, kind of aimless plot, till the final quarter and then with a small twist, the tale comes to an end. I have seen it and if you ask me about the story, I say its hard to describe, but it can be only watched like a documentary film. Over ninety minutes, the film revealed the life of homeless people. Like from their day beginning to the nightfall, how they make it and their preferences. So it is not an inspiring film, though at least there's something you can learn about them. After knowing the theme, I thought there would be lots of violence like ****, stealing, cops and maybe killing. Surprisingly, it was none of those, not exactly, except drug addiction and sometimes stealing to buy drugs. Looks like from this film, the actress got a breakthrough, particularly in her life. I hope its turnover from hereon. I appreciate the directors for that who made a difference in someone's life. Don't think it is a film for entertainment, watch it if you are interested in the documentary film. So it's not for everybody, but some will find it good or maybe decent. 6/10

Although it follows the lives **** of young, homeless heroin addicts in New York, this deeply unsettling film is far removed from the typical Hollywood “junkie flick.” I have known people like the characters it depicts, and I was immediately struck by the film’s raw authenticity. Only later did I learn that the directors hit on the idea for the film after befriending (becoming infatuated with?) Arielle Holmes, the lead actor who was then living on the streets; they encouraged her to write about her experiences, paying her by the page, and eventually convinced her to star along with her friends in a film adaptation of her writing. Despite what has been charitably described as a “nano budget,” “Heaven Knows What” is extremely well made. The score creates a sense of unease, and every shot in the film is expertly framed.

A little bit weird but very interesting film. All in the name of love. Watch it here for free: ****/watch-2767462-Heaven-Knows-What-online-free

20 years after "Kids" comes another hard-edged look at life on the streets of New York. This follows a young junkie (Arielle Holmes) as she mates, shoots up and struggles to exist (based on Holmes’ soon-to-be-published memoir "Mad Love in New York City"). The film sometime feels like a documentary, often set among pedestrian traffic, with a camera that lingers in extreme close-up during the seemingly improvised, repetitive and rough dialogue. With it's jagged style, there are engrossing performances, inventive camerawork and a harsh energy that keeps it compelling. An intriguing art film that takes a raw, edgy look at heroine culture

I have a true passion for heroin culture. This started when I was around 8 years old. Perhaps best to discuss this with my shrink but nonetheless I was very excited to see HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT, a grungy real tale of heroin addiction on the contemporary streets of NYC. Unfortunately, HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT is all cold examination, no depth or insights. A lot of screaming. I was drawn in but left cold and empty. If only that were intentional.

You've got to be prepared for what this movie is before going in. There's not some clear narrative direction to it - you're essentially following a woman and her cohorts as they're trying to score heroin and live their lives. It feels highly authentic, but it's not exactly entertaining, if that's what you're going for. It reminds me of Harmony Korine's films, notably Kids and Gummo. The lead "actress" is pretty amazing to watch, and her real life story is probably fodder for an excellent documentary.