The psychologically-themed “We Need to Talk About Kevin” is a suspenseful, cautionary tale about a demon-like child. An attention-getter reminiscent of Macaulay Culkin’s “The Good Son,” the titular Kevin is parented by well-intentioned Franklin (John C. Reilly) and Eva (a stunning Tilda Swinton) Khatchadourian. Perplexing in the way the plot unfolds, especially in disordered flashbacks, Kevin (played by Jasper Newell and older Ezra Miller) is an incessant crying baby which grows more malevolent through the years. Eva’s birth of a daughter apparently gives Kevin another victim to wreak havoc on instead of him welcoming a sister. Or is it also vengeance that he possesses? The wily manipulator has managed to win over his father leaving his mother a tormented, vulnerable woman harboring guilt having borne such a destructive child. He becomes more cynical and obnoxious, and eventually a psychopath with disastrous repercussions.
Director/co-screenwriter Lynne Ramsay’s contemporary horror story is adapted from Lionel Shriver’s 2003 novel. Numerous questions go unanswered in this mother and son clash of wills which is less a relationship and more of a combative contest. Note: for the ultimate “bad child” classic, check out 1953’s “The Bad Seed.”
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