By Jack Lumsden

A mothers love. Fabio Trifoni, OpenVerse

We Need to Talk about Kevin, directed by Lynne Ramsay in 2011, is a psychological thriller that dives into the intense and often disturbing relationship between a mother, Eva, and her son, Kevin. The movie examines deep topics like whether evil is born or made, how mental illness is viewed by others, and what society expects from mothers. It’s shown through a mix of scenes from the past and present, which gradually reveal how Kevin grows from a difficult child into a teenager who commits a terrible act, drastically changing his family and the entire community. 

Ramsay uses several symbols consistently throughout the movie. For instance, the color red is shown in Kevin’s clothing, items around the house, and during different events throughout the movie, hinting at danger and blood. These symbols make the story richer and hint at future events, creating a buildup to the final scenes. The movie is mostly shown from Eva’s point of view, which means the audience only gets to see Kevin and the world through her eyes. This approach makes the movie more mysterious and tense because viewers can only guess Kevin’s thoughts and intentions based on his interactions with Eva and what she remembers. 

The way lighting is used is important to the mood of the movie. Dark lighting and shadows fill the scenes where Eva feels alone or remembers tragic events, showing how heavy and dark her life has become. Bright lighting is rare and usually pops up in scenes where the harsh truth or painful memories come to light. The sound in the movie also plays a big role, with real sounds from the scene and background music that adds to the atmosphere. These sounds make the movie feel more real and help build up the tension, making the audience feel the chaos and disorder that takes over Eva’s life. 

The director wanted to turn the book this movie was based off of into a movie to explore tough questions about how much parents are to blame for their children’s actions and how quick people are to judge them, particularly mothers. The movie evokes thought about what makes someone evil, and if how they are raised has something to do with it. It also comments on how women, especially mothers, are judged more harshly about their children’s behavior. Compared to movies of this same genre, similar themes are shown where family issues and secrets are used to question larger societal rules and expectations. 

In summary, We Need to Talk about Kevin is more than just a story about a troubled kid and his mom. It’s a deep dive into dark human behaviors and what society expects from people. Ramsay uses symbols, lighting, and sound to create a movie that is not only about the characters but also about bigger issues like parenting and the roles of men and women.

We Need to Talk about Kevin. (R). dir. Lynne Ramsay (2011); 112mins.