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Child of God (2013)

R  |   |  Crime, Drama, Thriller  |  20 August 2014 (Australia)
5.4
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Ratings: 5.4/10 from 2,624 users   Metascore: 50/100
Reviews: 36 user | 67 critic | 17 from Metacritic.com

A dispossessed, violent man's life is a disastrous attempt to exist outside the social order. Successively deprived of parents and homes and with few other ties, Ballard descends to the level of a cave dweller as he falls deeper into crime and degradation.

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Cast

Credited cast:
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Sheriff Fate
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Deputy Cotton
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Girly
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Ernest
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Victim #1
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Boy With The Rifle
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Salesgirl (as Ciera Parrack)
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Narrator
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John Greer
Kristen Adams ...
Ms. Walker
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Hunter
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Lady In White
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Boyfriend of Victim #1
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Storyline

Set in mountainous Sevier County, Tennessee, Child of God tells the story of Lester Ballard, a dispossessed, violent man whom the narrator describes as "a child of God much like yourself perhaps." Ballard's life is a disastrous attempt to exist outside the social order. Successively deprived of parents and homes and with few other ties, Ballard descends literally and figuratively to the level of a cave dweller as he falls deeper into crime and degradation. Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing aberrant sexual content, nudity, language and some violence | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

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Release Date:

20 August 2014 (Australia)  »

Also Known As:

Child of God - Filho de Deus  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$27,630 (USA) (1 August 2014)

Gross:

$37,949 (USA) (8 August 2014)
 »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

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Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Actor Scott Haze moved to Sevierville, Tennessee to prepare for the dynamic and challenging role of Lester Ballard. Scott Haze lived in an isolated cabin in the woods, lost 50lbs and was reportedly sleeping in caves some nights. See more »

Goofs

When Lester carries the dead girl through the woods, her right arm twitches upward twice in anticipation of grabbing the actor when he attempts to lift her again. See more »

Quotes

[repeated line]
Lester Ballard: Get off my fuckin property!
See more »

Connections

Featured in Filmselskabet: Episode #4.1 (2013) See more »

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User Reviews

 
disturbed performance
4 December 2014 | by See all my reviews

Lester Ballard (Scott Haze) is a disturbed man living in the rural mountains of Tennessee in the 60s. His father killed himself and his mother ran away. His father's property is auctioned off and he becomes a recluse. He gets in trouble with Sheriff Fate (Tim Blake Nelson) after he struggled with a drunken woman. He steals and is a general nuisance. He runs across a young couple dead in their car. He has sex with the dead girl and steals her body away.

I think this is the only movie where a character is actually taking a dump. I've got to say that it's disturbing and gross. It sets the tone for the whole movie. Scott Haze is terrific in his performance. The main problem is that the movie is uninvolving. After awhile, Lester's insanity feels repetitive and lifeless. His isolation infiltrates into the movie. This movie needs more time for Sheriff Fate. I also wonder why the sheriff can't put him away longer and how bad the dead body smells. These are the little things that nag at me when the movie stops being compelling. James Franco's directions are workable but they need to energize the plot more.


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