SummaryA five-year-old Indian boy gets lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of kilometers from home. He survives many challenges before being adopted by a couple in Australia; 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family.
Directed By:Garth Davis
Written By:Saroo Brierley, Luke Davies
Lion
Metascore
Generally Favorable
69
User score
Generally Favorable
7.9
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
71% Positive
32 Reviews
32 Reviews
29% Mixed
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Nov 29, 2016
100
Once in awhile, a movie comes along that is so touching and sincere, without a moment of false emotion or manipulative self-indulgence, that it establishes squatters’ rights and moves into your heart to stay.
Nov 24, 2016
88
Unsurprisingly, the finale is manipulative in every way, squeezing out the emotions of the audience. But Lion’s well-plotted narrative and thoughtful characters suck you in so much that the journey there is totally worth it.
User score
Generally Favorable
84% Positive
309 Ratings
309 Ratings
12% Mixed
45 Ratings
45 Ratings
4% Negative
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
May 21, 2025
10
This is how you make films that leave deep impression. Correctly nominated for six Oscars. Unfortunately without getting one. The film is moving, profound, has a very good script and is told excellently. There are few films that you absolutely have to have seen. This is part of it.
Apr 18, 2021
10
Outstanding! Cried my heart out. It's one of those movies that reminds you how incredibly privileged you are. Also touches the difficulties you've to go through with child adoption. Incredible story, acting and screenplay. Must watch.
Dec 23, 2016
75
Lion is a complex movie, with its profound themes of home and identity, and its tonally disparate halves. A smartly understated approach to Brierley’s story holds it all together. Sometimes the truth alone is enough.
Nov 26, 2016
75
This is a true story, and at times a gut-wrenching one, even if it necessarily sugarcoats some aspects of the plight of lost children.
Nov 23, 2016
67
In trying to tell the whole of this nearly implausible tale, the film can’t figure out whether it’s more invested in young Saroo’s harrowing journey or older Saroo’s feeling of displacement.
Sep 16, 2016
60
Thanks largely to an affecting performance from newcomer Sunny Pawar, the first act is horribly effective.
Sep 16, 2016
50
While Lion isn’t the kind of drama that demands risky storytelling, it is one that has within it a whole world of emotional topography that is disappointingly scrolled over instead of mapped out.
May 30, 2020
10
Una historia conmovedora, con buena ambientación y un maravilloso reparto, es una obra maestra moderna.
Jan 14, 2021
6
A movie that is harrowing at times (particularly the first half) but is dragged down by it's at times sickly sweet, melodramatic plot
Nov 10, 2018
6
This movie, given the story, had so much potential. The way it was put together however was very uninspiring. Therefore this movie is very forgettable.
Jan 3, 2018
3
Watching this finally on DVD in 2018, this seemed way overhyped and way too sentimental, maudlin. The adoptive parents seem a little too perfect, and the college buds too trendy, unreal. It definitely does not have the grit and authenticity that made "Slumdog Millionaire" so famous and it will never be as good as that film. That said, the fact that it IS a true story is amazing, the reason for my non zero vote at least. But, come on Nicole Kidman, her character plays out like something on the Lifetime channel. Even her performance with Cruise--and I abhor Cruise--and pot smoking offered us more depth, alas the great Kubrick the taskmaster in his final film. But, Nicole just seems to be marking time and money here. This is not an artistic nor an AA worthy film.
Dec 28, 2016
3
The only tears were tears of excruciating boredom. Sure, it's a nice true human story that shows cultures many may be unfamiliar with. Yes it's shot well in exotic and far off locations (from a domestic standpoint) featuring some decent acting. Who cares when it's this low key and this familiar a story? Not this viewer for one.
Production Company:
- See-Saw Films
- The Weinstein Company
- Screen Australia
- Aquarius Films
- Sunstar Entertainment
- One Film at a Time
- Screen Tasmania
- Soundfirm
Release Date:Nov 25, 2016
Duration:1 h 58 m
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:The search begins
Website:
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 6 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 4 Nominations
Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards
• 12 Wins & 13 Nominations
