Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Upsetting toxic masculinity drama with brutal violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
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Nil by Mouth
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In NIL BY MOUTH, a working-class London family struggles with cycles of violence and addiction, which only serve to amplify deeply buried traumas.
Is It Any Good?
The threat of violence permeates every moment of Gary Oldman's directorial debut. Nil by Mouth functions as a horror show wrapped in kitchen sink drama, offering a relentlessly grim experience that's genuinely difficult to endure. Despite its challenging nature, the film commands attention with its complex characters provoking strong emotional responses. Ray Winstone delivers a terrifying performance as the volatile Raymond, while Kathy Burke is simply incredible as his wife, Valerie. Laila Morse also stands out, offering a heartbreaking portrayal of Valerie's mother, Janet, who helplessly watches her heroin-dependent son, Billy (Charlie Creed-Miles), inject the drug. The screenplay, inspired by Oldman's own upbringing, explains characters' actions without excusing them and presents substance abuse without a hint of glamorization. The harrowing helplessness of these situations is amplified by the children who bear witness to their family's violence and struggles. This film is not for casual viewing, but approaching it with proper preparation rewards audiences with an unforgettable, lingering movie experience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Nil by Mouth. Did the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Was it shocking or thrilling? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How did the film depict drinking, drugs, and smoking? What consequences were there? Did they seem realistic?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 6, 1998
- On DVD or streaming : December 23, 2003
- Cast : Ray Winstone , Kathy Burke , Charlie Creed-Miles
- Director : Gary Oldman
- Studio : Sony Pictures Classics
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 128 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : graphic drug use, non-stop strong language, brutal domestic violence and some nudity
- Awards : BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee
- Last updated : March 17, 2025
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