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Evil

2003·Movie
1h 53min·NR
IMDb7.7Metacritic617.5Rotten Tomatoes68%87%

Where to watch

PhiloThe RokuKanopyHooplaPluto TV

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Evil fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Brutally violent and tense

Fast from start to finish.

  • Violence9
  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline7

Heart

Cathartic and moving

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Coming of Age9
  • Catharsis8
  • Pathos7

Humor

Some dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor5
  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Satire & Parody4

World

Growing up, class and money, and history

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and characters

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodGraphic violence bothers you

Find more like it

Suspense moviesPsychological movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

It's time to take a stand.

Stockholm, in the 1950s. Erik is expelled from the local school for getting into one brawl too many. To protect Erik from his violent stepfather’s reaction to his expulsion, Erik's mother arranges for Erik to spend a year at Stjärnsberg Boarding School, the only school willing to accept him. This is Erik's last chance to graduate to Upper School and he promises his mother, for his and her sake, to do all he can to stay out of trouble.
Brutal Coming-of-Age DramaBullying and AbuseBoarding School1950s SwedenSocial CommentaryPsychological TensionClass ConflictViolence and its Consequences

Crew

Directed by:
Mikael Håfström
Written by:
Mikael Håfström, Jan Guillou, Hans Gunnarsson
Produced by:
Kim Magnusson, Maggie Widstrand, Ingemar Leijonborg
Composed by:
Francis Shaw

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Evil

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Evil legally?

PhiloThe RokuKanopyHooplaPluto TVPlexWarriors and GangstersTubi TV

Evil is included with a subscription to Philo in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and Pluto TV. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Evil worth watching?

71
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 71/100 (IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 68%, and Metacritic 61). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Evil rated?

NRViolenceStrong language

It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: violence and strong language.

How long is Evil?

1 h 53 min

Evil runs 1 h 53 min.

Is Evil based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on Evil?

Critics65
Audiences80

Not quite. Audiences rate Evil higher (80) than critics (65). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was Evil a box office hit?

Budget$3 million
Box office$12 million

Yes. It cost about $3 million to make and earned $12 million worldwide, 4.2 times its budget.

What language is Evil in?

Swedish

It was made in Swedish. Produced in Sweden, Denmark.

In how many countries can I watch Evil?

16ATBECHDEDKESFIISITKRNLNOPLRU+2

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Evil in 16 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Evil use?

Evil TeacherThe Chain of HarmUnishmentTitle DropPolitically Incorrect VillainAbsurdly Powerful Student CouncilFreudian ExcuseSlow ClapAnswer CutTo the PainOffscreen Moment of AwesomeKneel Before Zodand 31 more

TV Tropes lists 43 storytelling tropes for Evil, including Evil Teacher, The Chain of Harm, Unishment.