---
title: "Lion"
year: 2016
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/lion"
fi1m_score: 78
critics_score: 70
critics_reviews: 30
published: "2026-09-17T08:23:50.267797+00:00"
updated: "2026-09-17T08:23:50.519014+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Lion (2016)

Directed by Garth Davis · 1h 58m · MPA PG-13 · Drama

**Fi1m score: 78** · Critics 70 from 30 reviews

*In a sentence:* We would happily have spent less time with the computer and more with Nicole Kidman

> Garth Davis makes a lost child’s fear painfully immediate, helped by Sunny Pawar and Greig Fraser’s watchful images. The adult drama repeats itself, but Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman keep its family troubles worth caring about.

## Synopsis

The story begins in India with Young Saroo (Sunny Pawar), Guddu (Abhishek Bharate) and Kamla Munshi (Priyanka Bose). Saroo becomes separated from home and finds himself lost on the streets of Kolkata. He wants to get back, but first he has to survive in a city where nobody knows him. He needs help from strangers, with no easy way of knowing whom he can trust. Poverty and the scale of his surroundings leave him vulnerable, and finding someone to look after him becomes as pressing as finding a route home.

## Review

*Lion* is a moving family drama whose first half is considerably stronger than its second. Garth Davis understands how frightening a city becomes when nobody in it knows who a child is. He establishes the importance of home through that fear, before Luke Davies’s screenplay begins discussing it more explicitly. The adult search is less absorbing, partly because the same distress keeps returning in similar scenes, but the performances make this worth seeing.

Sunny Pawar, as Young Saroo, gives the early India-set passages their force. There is little sense of a child being asked to demonstrate how moving his predicament ought to be: he is occupied with getting through it, which is enough. We were frightened for him on the streets of Kolkata, because the camera keeps us close to a small child in surroundings he cannot understand. The direction treats the poverty around him seriously without making his suffering an occasion to admire the pictures.

That closeness owes much to cinematographer Greig Fraser, who keeps the early scenes within the boy’s limited understanding of what is happening. The streets have scale without becoming sightseeing, and the images remain attentive to the person lost among them. Chris Kennedy’s production design supports that sense of an inhabited place, making the city feel indifferent to the child’s presence. Alexandre de Franceschi edits these passages with enough momentum to make survival feel urgent. Little dialogue is needed to explain what is at stake.

Dev Patel takes over as Saroo Brierley with an intensity that gives the adult section more weight than its writing sometimes earns. The search through Google Earth presents a difficult dramatic problem: repeated effort matters enormously to the person doing it, but repetition can still exhaust an audience. The performance makes the preoccupation convincing, while the screenplay struggles to find enough changes within it. The editing cannot entirely disguise that shortage, and the film spends too long confirming that Saroo cannot put the past aside.

Nicole Kidman gives Sue Brierley a warmth complicated by brittleness, allowing us to see the effort involved in caring for someone whose distress cannot simply be soothed. It is careful work, and the director makes room for it. Rooney Mara’s Lucy is less fortunate: the character has too little independent life, a problem when the relationships need to make adulthood as immediate as childhood. The cast can suggest what these people might be like beyond Saroo’s difficulties, but the writing seldom lets them demonstrate it.

The music is the more avoidable weakness. Volker Bertelmann and Dustin O’Halloran provide piano-led accompaniment that can be tender in the quieter stretches, but it too often insists on the emotion instead of letting a face hold our attention. With actors this capable, that extra prompting is unnecessary, and some of the adult drama becomes more conventional than it needs to be. The more insistent cues also make the repetitive scenes feel longer.

As a family melodrama, *Lion* gets something important right: longing for a lost home does not make the care received elsewhere worthless. The film is sensitive to that complication, even when the script moves past it too quickly, and it need not settle every question about belonging to make us care about this particular person. The weaker adult passages ask for patience, but the actors repay it. See it for the performances, especially Sunny Pawar’s, rather than for a consistently gripping search.

*Fi1m score 78, published 17 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics find Lion moving, with praise clustering around its performances and the early scenes of a lost child’s life in India. Sunny Pawar’s natural performance draws particularly consistent approval, while Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman receive strong notices for the adult drama. The reviews also value the child’s-eye-view cinematography and sensitive handling of poverty. For its admirers, Garth Davis gives a powerful true story enough restraint to earn its emotional impact.

The main reservation is the shift into adulthood: several critics find the second half repetitive, the relationships underwritten and the pacing less assured. Opinion spreads widely over how much these weaknesses matter, and whether the sentiment feels earned or imposed. The Financial Times is among the strongest dissenters, arguing that the piano-heavy score and star casting overwhelm the story’s finer details. Even several favourable reviews concede that the opening is more compelling than what follows.

### Reviews we read (30)

- **The Times**, Kevin Maher (★★★★☆): A deeply empathetic performance from Dev Patel and an unflinching view of child poverty give the film a winning edge as a muscular tearjerker, with Nicole Kidman adding fascinating brittleness. Director Garth Davis layers in complexity without eliding difficult aspects. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/article/lion-klqp8mpp0)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Susan Wloszczyna (3.5/4): The film is an intelligent crowd-pleaser that mostly avoids blatant manipulation until the very end, where the emotional payoff is earned and deserved. It excels in the early sections through the natural performance of young Sunny Pawar and the boy's-eye-view cinematography. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/lion-2016)
- **Film Comment**, Michael Sragow (85/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's soulful retelling of a true story, highlighting its emotional depth, strong performances especially by Dev Patel, and its ability to convey a character's growth and reclamation of the past without artificiality. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/deep-focus-lion/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney (85/100, inferred): The film is a classy crowdpleaser driven by tremendously moving performances from Dev Patel and young Sunny Pawar as the separated boy turned adult searcher. It offers a sober, stirring contemplation of family, roots, identity and home. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/lion-review-dev-patel-nicole-kidman-927423/)
- **Empire**, Dan Jolin (80/100, inferred): A triumphant directorial debut with an astonishing true story treated with a light artistic touch; deeply moving and intimate despite a weaker second half, with career-best work from Patel and impressive Kidman. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/lion-review/)
- **IndieWire**, Eric Kohn (80/100, inferred): Dev Patel soars in this tearjerker that earns its emotions through the true story of an adopted boy using Google Earth to find his roots. The film delivers heartfelt impact from its unlikely real-life narrative. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/lion-review-nicole-kidman-dev-patel-tiff-2016-1201725548/)
- **Radio Times**, Damon Wise (4/5): The gripping depiction of the young boy's fate on the streets of India makes for an affecting true story with shades of Slumdog Millionaire; the payoff is less cinematic than the setup. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ho84zh/lion/)
- **Screen Daily** (80/100, inferred): Garth Davis turns the astonishing true story into a dignified, authentic and highly moving crowd-pleaser with knockout performances, elegant camerawork and a sensitive script. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/lion-toronto-review/5109328.article)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (80/100, inferred): The film is an affecting debut from Garth Davis that emotionally snares the viewer with its story of a lost child, despite some pacing issues and an overbearing score. It highlights strong performances from Dev Patel and especially Nicole Kidman. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/22/lion-review-dev-patel-nicole-kidman)
- **The New York Times**, A.O. Scott (80/100, inferred): Garth Davis’s unabashedly tear-jerking movie has the scary, wondrous feeling of a fairy tale in its first part, conveying the Dickensian dimensions of the boy’s situation with minimal dialogue and graceful editing. The later Google Earth search takes an emotional toll but underscores the story’s themes of loss and reconnection. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/24/movies/lion-review-dev-patel.html)
- **The Telegraph**, Tim Robey (4/5): The true story rips the viewer to pieces with its emotional power and Dev Patel's brave performance, while Nicole Kidman delivers a sterling supporting turn. Director Garth Davis makes a smart, restrained debut by letting the mapping sequences carry the emotion. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/lion-review-nicole-kidmans-oscar-contender-will-rip-you-to-piece/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (75/100, inferred): A real-life fairy tale with an irresistible story line that warms the heart, helped by strong casting especially young Sunny Pawar. Director Davis seems more at home visually in India than in Australia, and the film works well at times in keeping viewers interested despite the known conclusion. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-lion-review-20161119-story.html)
- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (70/100, inferred): The first half is vivid and powerful with stunning visuals and a captivating child performance; the second half weakens with some wishy-washy elements but still features admirable moments and strong acting from Kidman and Patel. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/lion-film-review-one-lost-boy-and-his-long-and-eventful-journey-home-a3445556.html)
- **The AV Club**, Esther Zuckerman (B-): The film struggles to balance young Saroo’s harrowing journey with the adult’s displacement, leading to whiplash and underdeveloped relationships. Strong child performance and some effective early scenes stand out amid the structural issues. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/lion-doesn-t-quite-make-its-true-story-roar-1798189699)
- **Slant Magazine**, Matt Brennan (65/100, inferred): Lion is an imperfect but moving melodrama that juxtaposes two worlds and identities through fitful glimpses and strong child performance, though structure and pacing faults limit its power. It gestures toward nuance in transnational identities. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/lion/)
- **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (3/3/2): The first half impresses with its visual fluency, sensitive handling of poverty and dynamic editing; the second half descends into sentimental melodrama and mannered performances from the adult cast. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/lion)
- **The i Paper**, Matthew Turner (★★★): A handsomely made drama with a moving true story, strong performances from Patel and Kidman, and gorgeous cinematography, but the script stretches thin material too far in the second half, making it tiresome and lacking depth. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/lion-review-42400)
- **Time Out**, Dave Calhoun (3/5): The first half powerfully depicts young Saroo's fear and dislocation in Kolkata with memorable cinematography; the second half feels underdeveloped with loose ends in the script and relationships. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/lion)
- **Variety** (60/100, inferred): Davis has a terrific cast led by charismatic newcomers Sunny Pawar and Dev Patel, with sensitivity in the script and elegant, deeply empathetic direction heightened by gorgeous cinematography. The narrative lacks suspense as a portrait of persistence, paradoxically suggesting the protagonist went decades without thinking much about his mother until technology enabled the search. [Read](https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/toronto-film-review-dev-patel-in-lion-1201857404/)
- **Financial Times**, Nigel Andrews (2): The soapy and sentimental treatment turns a strong true story into a mush of a movie, lathered with rolling piano music and star casting that swamps fine detail. Only Dev Patel retains dignity amid the schmaltz. [Read](https://www.ft.com/content/c1646952-de48-11e6-9d7c-be108f1c1dce)
- **The Independent** (★★★☆☆): The early India-set scenes are the strongest and very moving, with praise for the child actor and director's energy; the film becomes manipulative, predictable and glib later on, lacking depth despite being based on a true story. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/film-reviews-roundup-lion-split-goodfellas-rerelease-a7533176.html)
- **Den of Geek**, Edward Douglas (4.5/5): The review calls the film one of the year's best, an emotional journey that moves viewers to tears through its story of home and family, commending the direction, acting by Dev Patel and others, and beautiful cinematography. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/lion-review/)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (85/100, inferred): The critic calls the film an emotional powerhouse of a true story with all the elements of a hit. They single out the standout natural performance by young Sunny Pawar, Nicole Kidman’s warm turn, and Garth Davis’ masterful direction that avoids cheap sentimentality. [Read](https://deadline.com/2016/11/lion-review-dev-patel-nicole-kidman-video-1201862372/)
- **Eye for Film**, Anne-Katrin Titze (80/100, inferred): The film merits praise for refusing to romanticize or exploit the child's dilemma, emphasizing human connection and help in times of need. It effectively uses memories and ambiguity to drive the story of loss and reunion. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/lion-2016-film-review-by-anne-katrin-titze)
- **Consequence** (75/100, inferred): The review highlights the film's strong performances from both young and adult versions of the lead character and its realistic approach to the true story. It singles out the assured direction and the cathartic final moments for praise while noting its conventional narrative. [Read](https://consequence.net/2016/12/film-review-lion/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Luke Channell (3/5): The film avoids excessive sentimentality through its immersive narrative and strong performances by Sunny Pawar and Dev Patel. It suffers from a meandering middle section and underwritten characters but is buoyed by sensitive direction and emotional payoff. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/lion-review/)
- **The Skinny**, Michelle Devereaux (3/5): The critic describes it as an old-fashioned crowd-pleaser that delivers pure emotional catharsis through its feel-good reunion story and blend of intimate scenes with geographic scale, while noting it avoids deep political critique. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/lion)
- **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (C): The review finds the film structurally awkward and emotionally distant despite strong elements in its first half. It singles out Dev Patel's lead performance and the harrowing depiction of the child's journey for praise while criticizing the repetitive adult section and overall lack of urgency. [Read](https://collider.com/lion-review-dev-patel/)
- **The Playlist**, Kevin Jagernauth (C): The film gives surface treatment to complex ideas about identity and home, resulting in perfunctory emotions rather than palpable ones. It features strong work from young Sunny Pawar and cinematographer Greig Fraser but overall feels safe and neatly told. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/lion-starring-dev-patel-nicole-kidman-rooney-mara-glosses-emotional-topography-review-20161121/)
- **Paste**, Andy Crump (6.7): The critic notes that the film effectively tugs at heartstrings in its first half through authentic storytelling but falters in the repetitive and less compelling second half. It praises the young actor Sunny Pawar's section and the organic emotional power of the material while faulting the adult drama's redundancy. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/lion/lion)

## Details

- **Director:** Garth Davis
- **Director:** Garth Davis
- **Screenplay:** Luke Davies
- **Cinematography:** Greig Fraser
- **Editor:** Alexandre de Franceschi
- **Music:** Volker Bertelmann, Dustin O'Halloran
- **Production design:** Chris Kennedy
- **Costume design:** Cappi Ireland
- **Producer:** Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, Angie Fielder
- **Cast:** Dev Patel as Saroo Brierley; Rooney Mara as Lucy; David Wenham as John Brierley; Nicole Kidman as Sue Brierley; Abhishek Bharate as Guddu; Divian Ladwa as Mantosh Brierley; Priyanka Bose as Kamla Munshi; Deepti Naval as Saroj Sood
- **Runtime:** 1h 58m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13
- **Release (the US):** 6 January 2017
- **Genres:** Drama
- **Budget:** $12 million
- **Box office:** $140 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKkk-hDigTk

## Where to watch in the US

- Netflix: streaming
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, hd
- Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $3.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy $4.99, hd

*Checked 2026-09-17.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, IE, IN, IT, JP, MX, NO, NZ, PA, SE, SG, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role 2017: AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (won)
- AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role 2017: AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (won)
- AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role 2017: AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (won)
- AACTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay 2017: AACTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (won)
- AACTA Award for Best Cinematography 2017: AACTA Award for Best Cinematography (won)
- AACTA Award for Best Costume Design 2017: AACTA Award for Best Costume Design (won)
- AACTA Award for Best Direction 2017: AACTA Award for Best Direction (won)
- AACTA Award for Best Editing 2017: AACTA Award for Best Editing (won)
- AACTA Award for Best Film 2017: AACTA Award for Best Film (won)
- AACTA Award for Best Original Music Score 2017: AACTA Award for Best Original Music Score (won)
- AACTA Award for Best Production Design 2017: AACTA Award for Best Production Design (won)
- AACTA Award for Best Sound 2017: AACTA Award for Best Sound (won)
- AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actor 2017: AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actor (won)
- AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actress 2017: AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actress (won)
- Academy Awards 2017: Best Cinematography (nominated); Best Original Score (nominated); Best Picture (nominated); Best Supporting Actor (nominated); Best Supporting Actress (nominated); Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (nominated)
- Golden Globes 2017: Best Motion Picture – Drama (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *The Kid with a Bike* (2011): Another child seeking security, with patient attention to how adults earn trust.
- *Pather Panchali* (1955), Fi1m 93: Childhood and poverty observed through daily life, without easy reassurance or condescension. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/pather-panchali.md)
- *The Quiet Girl* (2022): A reserved child finds care that the adults struggle to put into words.
- *Central Station* (1998), Fi1m 85: A child’s search for family becomes a wary, moving partnership with a stranger. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/central-station.md)
- *Philomena* (2013), Fi1m 82: Another search shaped by separation, with humour that never diminishes the hurt. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/philomena.md)

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© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/lion