# 12 Years a Slave (2013) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/12-years-a-slave-2013/
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 89% |
| Editorial Rating | 95/100 |
| Audience Snapshot | 90% (excluded from composite) |
| Metascore | 96/100 |
| Letterboxd | 4.1/5 |
| IMDb | 8.1/10 |
| Director | Steve McQueen |
| Genres | Drama, History |
| Runtime | 134 min |
| Festival premiere | TIFF 2013 (People's Choice Award) |

## Quick answer

12 Years a Slave (2013) earns a 89% Celluloid Score — Recommended. 12 Years a Slave — People's Choice Award at TIFF 2013. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid. Metascore 96/100. Directed by Steve McQueen.

## Celluloid verdict

12 Years a Slave — People's Choice Award at TIFF 2013. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid.

## Synopsis

In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.

## Cast

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Adepero Oduye, Scoot McNairy, Paul Giamatti, Brad Pitt

## Accolades

Premiered at TIFF 2013, where it won the People's Choice Award.

## Where to watch

the United Kingdom: not currently streaming
Turkey: not currently streaming
Japan: U-NEXT
Malaysia: Lionsgate Play
the United Arab Emirates: not currently streaming

## Common questions

**Is 12 Years a Slave worth watching?**
12 Years a Slave holds a 89% Celluloid Score. 12 Years a Slave — People's Choice Award at TIFF 2013. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid.

**What is 12 Years a Slave about?**
In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.

**Who directed 12 Years a Slave?**
12 Years a Slave (2013) was directed by Steve McQueen.

**What is the Celluloid Score of 12 Years a Slave?**
89% — calculated from available Celluloid editorial (95/100), Metascore (96/100), Letterboxd (4.1/5), and IMDb (8.1/10) inputs. Audience sentiment is excluded.

**Where can I watch 12 Years a Slave?**
12 Years a Slave is on U-NEXT in Japan; on Lionsgate Play in Malaysia. Availability varies by region.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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