An upper-class American family unravels across the 1940s–1970s after the murder of oil heir Brooks Baekeland’s son, Anthony. The film follows Barbara Baekeland’s increasingly obsessive and destructive relationship with her son, Anthony’s descent into mental illness and sexual transgression, and the family's public and private scandals leading to Anthony’s eventual murder.
The film opens in mid-century New York, establishing Barbara as a charismatic but socially insecure woman trying to fit into her husband's aristocratic world.
gives a breakout performance as the adult Tony Baekeland, capturing the character’s vulnerability and descent into psychosis.
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Savage Grace received mixed reviews upon its release. Critics praised the lead performances, particularly Julianne Moore's portrayal of Barbara's descent into instability and Eddie Redmayne's nuanced performance as Antony. However, some reviewers found the film's tone distant and the subject matter challenging to engage with due to its dark and tragic nature.
Deconstructing the Bacchanal: A Critical Analysis of Tom Kalin’s ‘Savage Grace’ (2007) and Its Digital Afterlife on Lk21
Years before winning an Oscar for The Theory of Everything , Eddie Redmayne delivered an eerie, fragile, and deeply unsettling performance as Antony. His portrayal captures the transition from a sensitive, neglected child to a severely disturbed adult completely dominated by his mother. Critical Reception and Controversial Themes gives a breakout performance as the adult Tony
Given its subject matter—which includes an alleged incestuous relationship between mother and son, graphic sexuality, and the brutal murder of a mother by her son— Savage Grace was never going to be an easy watch for mainstream audiences. This is reflected in its mixed critical reception. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 38% approval rating based on 89 reviews, with the consensus stating that "though visually compelling, the lamentable characters in Savage Grace make for difficult viewing" . Metacritic gave it an average score of 51 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews" .
It showcases how extreme wealth can lead to isolation, moral decay, and a lack of empathy.
The film premiered at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and received mixed reviews from critics. While the lead performances—particularly Julianne Moore's—were highly praised, the dark, unsettling subject matter and deliberate pacing polarized audiences. The film's meticulous period art direction and cinematography effectively contrast the beautiful European settings with the internal decay of the characters. Online Availability and Streaming Context If you share with third parties, their policies apply
Visually, the film is a treat. The costumes, the sets, and the exotic locations (New York, Paris, Mallorca) scream "Old Money." It fits the "lk21 genre" vibe of escapist cinema where you get to look at rich people's problems for 90 minutes. However, the polished look creates a sharp contrast with the ugly, messy reality of the characters' lives.
as Brooks Baekeland: Dillane plays the distant, cold patriarch whose rejection fuels the family's instability.
Watch the portrayal of the Baekeland family's descent in this trailer and clip collection: Видео Savage Grace (2007) (TD) XE | OK.RU Одноклассники• Feb 6, 2025
