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Romulus, My Father

Play trailer Poster for Romulus, My Father R 2008 1h 43m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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55% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
A woman's (Franka Potente) increasingly erratic behavior affects her husband (Eric Bana), her lover (Russell Dykstra) and her son (Kodi Smit-McPhee).
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Romulus, My Father

Critics Reviews

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Carina Chocano Los Angeles Times Feb 29, 2008
3.5/5
For all its sad moments, Romulus, My Father is a love story between father and son kept aloft by unalloyed admiration. Go to Full Review Peter Hartlaub San Francisco Chronicle Feb 29, 2008
2/4
It's not clear what we're supposed to take away from the film. Go to Full Review Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal Feb 29, 2008
The darkness of the story is counterbalanced by some of the most radiantly beautiful cinematography I've seen in a long time. Go to Full Review Amber Wilkinson Eye for Film Jun 14, 2008
4.5/5
Builds up an emotional head of steam that draws audiences towards it. Go to Full Review James Berardinelli ReelViews Feb 29, 2008
2.5/4
For all that it's well made and expertly acted, the film keeps its audience at arm's length, letting viewers observe without offering an emotional portal of entrance. Go to Full Review Brian Orndorf eFilmCritic.com Feb 29, 2008
B
The picture has a tranquil, gentle nature about it that's almost soothing, while offering examples of familial terror Roxburgh processes superbly...there's much to admire. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alain E @AlainE Jun 17, 2026 A superb movie that unless someone is Australian, we assume it is a very sad fictional story of a miserable childhood of a little boy. There are some rays of sunshine, but overall this child had to grow up passing through hell. The movie is extremely well narrated and very moving. Very competent acting and very good color photography. On Prime. To reveal my age, it reminded me of the old book A tree grows in Brooklyn. See more Frederick M @RT27220563 Sep 23, 2025 Wow. I'm Australian or rather born in Australia, but I am not really Australian in my heart. I'm much more European. I've never liked Australian films. Australians in movies seem to forget who they are. However, I was fascinated by this film for some unknown reason. Then I realised who the director is and how good the soundtrack went with the movie. Very sensitively done. It's really interesting. I'm actually going to contact Raimond and discuss some ideas with him. I'd like to see his philosophical side. See more Jan 15, 2021 Such a sensitive treatment of an era of war affected people trying to adapt to a foreign way of life. I loved this movie. Stellar performances from all the cast. See more Oct 7, 2015 heart warmer for the fatherless See more Apr 7, 2015 Actor Richard Roxburg makes his directorial debut with this amazing film about a father struggling to raise his son while his wife leave the house and get entangled in a series of affairs that slowly disconnect her with her young son. It's a really well shot film, filled with great performances from the cast and a lot of attention to details. The bond between father and son is beautifully depicted and will probably ring true for a lot of people out there whether they are close or not of their parents. It's a good film and one can only hope Roxburg would continue to explore the directing side of cinema because he definitely has an eye for it and a beautiful way to communicate with his audience through films See more Nov 10, 2014 Grew up knowing Character and live where it was filmed! See more Read all reviews
Romulus, My Father

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Richard Roxburgh

Director

Eric Bana

Romulus

Franka Potente

Christina

Kodi Smit-McPhee

Rai

Marton Csokas

Hora

Russell Dykstra

Mitru

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Romulus, My Father

A scene from the film "Romulus, My Father." A scene from the film "Romulus, My Father." A scene from the film "Romulus, My Father." A scene from the film "Romulus, My Father." A scene from the film "Romulus, My Father." A scene from the film "Romulus, My Father." A scene from the film "Romulus, My Father." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A woman's (Franka Potente) increasingly erratic behavior affects her husband (Eric Bana), her lover (Russell Dykstra) and her son (Kodi Smit-McPhee).
Director
Richard Roxburgh
Producer
Robert Connolly, John Maynard
Screenwriter
Nick Drake
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Arena Films
Rating
R (Some Violence|Sexuality|Brief Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 29, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 23, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.8K
Runtime
1h 43m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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