User reviews

How frustrating was this! It had potential but it couldn't decide what it was. If you want to produce a character led drama, then invest in your script and your actors. It ain't no ''Children of Men'.

It didn't move me, nor excite me with anything. It just kept teasing me with what could have been. The characters were obvious and lack less, but that's not saying the performances weren't adequate. If only they were given more to work with.

It's a shame as Channel 4 has given us, over the years, some amazing films but I'm afraid, this lacked the grittiness of past productions. Nice idea, shame about the script and direction.

The Kitchen is a dystopian drama that follows the lives of Izi, a funeral home worker, and Benji, a young boy he mentors, as they struggle to survive in a bleak urban environment of some unexplained future. The movie attempts to create a futuristic setting, but fails to integrate it into the story or explore its implications. The movie also suffers from a lack of direction, character development, and dialogue, leaving the audience detached and dissatisfied. The only redeeming quality of the movie is the performance of Hope Ikpoku Jnr as Staples, a charismatic gang leader who steals every scene he is in. Overall, "The Kitchen" is a disappointing and boring movie that wastes its potential and its cast and it is another brick in the Netflix collection of trash.

The movie opens with a scene of a group of kids on motorbikes robbing a food truck and bringing it back to their community, known as the Kitchen. The movie never explains why the Kitchen is in such a state of poverty and oppression, or why the police are trying to evict its residents. The movie also never shows how the futuristic elements, such as high-tech messages on the mirror or holographic advertisements, affect the lives of the characters or the society. The movie seems to use these elements as mere props, without any meaningful connection to the plot or the themes, basically Sci-Fi sells so we should throw some of that in sort of feeling.

The movie then introduces us to Izi, who works at a funeral home and dreams of escaping the Kitchen and finding a better place to live. He meets Benji, a young boy who has lost his parents and is living on the streets. Izi takes Benji under his wing and tries to teach him how to survive in the harsh reality of the Kitchen. The movie tries to portray the bond between Izi and Benji, but fails to make us care about them or their struggles. The movie does not give us any insight into their personalities, backgrounds, or motivations. The movie also does not show us how they grow or change as a result of their experiences. Some other characters, such as "Lord Kitchen", a mysterious figure who broadcasts music and messages to the Kitchen, also fails to attach any explanation or add any value to the story.

The movie ends with a vague and unsatisfying conclusion, that leaves many questions unanswered and many conflicts unresolved. The movie does not explain what happens to the Kitchen, or to Izi and Benji, or to the other characters we met along the way. The movie does not offer any message or lesson, or any reason to watch it in the first place. It is a poorly executed and poorly written movie, that does not deliver on any of the promises it makes. It is not a sci-fi movie, nor a drama movie, nor a good movie. It is a waste of time and money, and a disappointment to anyone who expects more from cinema.

I doubt that anybody who is not a friend of the production will give this movie anything over a '5'. I am giving this a '4' as I was tempted to stop watching it several times throughout, and I'm sure you will too.

The Kitchen had so much potential with it's premise but ultimately falls victim to a slow moving script and frustrating story. The film depicts a bleak dystopian futurist society in 2044 London where people are seperated by wealth gaps. The pros of this film are the visuals/cinematography and performances. The Kitchen can't make up it's mind what type of story it wants to be which will cause confusion by the viewer. During it's short run time I felt like this movie was over 2 hours long but was only a little over one hour 30 minutes. The ending is also very unsatisfying and leaves up to interpretation. I was interested within the first 5 minutes of the movie but it quickly derails. The Kitchen gets 5 stars out of 10 from me.

The Kitchen portrays a destitute community grappling with eviction and poverty, with the protagonist, Izi, employed at a funeral home. It is here that he encounters Benji and takes him under his wing. Izi's aspiration is to transcend the challenges of the Kitchen and secure a more promising dwelling, and the film delves into the evolving dynamics of Izi and Benji's relationship.

Despite its dystopian backdrop, the movie's futuristic elements predominantly influence its visual aesthetics rather than substantively shaping the narrative. Without these futuristic elements, it could easily have been an episode on Top Boy.

Throughout the film, the lack of a cohesive direction leaves viewers disconnected from the characters. The conclusion, in particular, proves to be notably unsatisfying, offering little resolution to pivotal events that transpired earlier.

Jedaiah Bannerman's portrayal of Benji suffers from lackluster acting, exacerbated by dialogue that comes across as uninspired. In contrast, Hope Ikpoku Jnr, in the role of Staples, stands out as the one actor who excels within the constraints of limited screen time.

Regrettably, the film falls short of expectations, and it is hoped that both the director and the writers can refine their storytelling skills to deliver a more engaging cinematic experience in the future.

The acting is incredible, the directing is brilliant, the cinematography is gorgeous. It has been well written and well executed. It's pretty obvious how we have got to this 'dystopian future', so I don't agree with other reviews that this was lacking from the film. In fact, it's more of a reflection of modern society, and says a lot about the world we already live in, today - not so much dystopian at all. There are people living in London today with lives similar to those depicted in this film; waiting for people to come and pull them from their homes, powerless, but finding solidarity in community. Rampant capitalism, large corporations exploiting and disregarding the poor. So many stories are being told, by following the story of Izi and Benji. It's really a beautiful piece of cinema, that manages to say a lot about life.

However, it is a slow film. It's a thoughtful film. I think it will be lost on some people, whose expectations of a Kano and Daniel Kaluuya film will not be met. I think, in some parts, it was too slow - but at the same time, not a scene was wasted, A strange ambivalence to it, as it is, at the end, the sum of its parts.

Bland. Mucky & Pointless. Offers no value. Leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

The movie is just too vague and low on ingredients (or a real story) to offer it's audience anything of worth.

The setting and timeframe feels stolen from a much better dystopian movie which offers nothing to the plot. The SciFi elements feel more like they are added to reinforce an idea which is already wafer-thin and feels hindered by budget to actually create any impact.

The story is more of a premise that hasn't been formulated into anything, which combined by the weak characters results in a complete lack of focus where no one really stands out, there is no one to root for and by the end you don't care about any of them.

And what leaves a bad taste in the mouth is that the trailer is deceptively misleading. You think you're getting something gourmet but it's just boil in the bag.

As "The Kitchen" (2023 release from the UK; 107 min) opens, we are introduced to Isaac (a/ka/ "Izi"), a black man who lives in the Kitchen Community Center, in a dystopian future London. He works at Life After Life, a funeral home cum ecological restauration center. There he makes the acquaintance of Benji, a teenage boy whose mother (and frind of Izi) just passed away... At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is the directing debut of Kibwe Tavares and Daniel Kaluuya. Academy Award winning actor Kaluua ("Judas and the Black Massiah") also co-wrote the script. The movie does not tell us exactly what year this takes place, but it feels like in the not too distant future (say, late 2030s?). Alas the future looks very bleak, certainly if you are black and poor. At times the atmosphere in the Kitchen area reminds of what we saw of downtown LA in the original Blade Runner (which is set in 2019). But of course here it goes much deeper, as the film makers dig into the social injustice issues which from the looks of it will not disappear any time soon, and unprovoked police brutality is still thriving. British actor and musician Kane Robertson (a/k/a Kano) is outstanding as Izi, as is Jedaiah Bannerman (a newcomer for me) as the teenage boy Benji. Last but not least, kudos to the production team for designing the eerie production sets that show us London in a way we have not seen before.

"The Kitchen" premiered at the London Film Festival last October to immediate critical acclaim. The movie is currently rated 86% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and for good reason. I read an interesting review of it in this Friday's New York Times, and immediately made amental note to check it out. The movie started streaming on Netflix this weekend, and I watched it last night. If you are in the mood for a so(m)ber sci-fi movie about how a dystopian London deals with tough social issues, I'd readily suggest you check it out and draw your own conclusion.

On seeing the IMDb rating I have to say I was a little confused. This is by no means a 5 star (IMDb rating) film. Ok so maybe it's not an 8 per se either but definitely not as low as 5. Then on reading the reviews I got a bit more of a picture on why the scores were maybe so low. I think it's because I have not seen the trailer. I went into this completely blind (other than dystopian near future and Kano) and enjoyed it immensely.

This isn't the urban dystopian thriller that maybe some expected. Instead it does what all good sci-fi does. Uses it's future setting as a platform to comment on some contemporary issues. The issues here being dispossession, disenfranchisement, capitalism, social disparity, gentrification and what all these things do to the people who live in poorer areas.

The story is a quiet one about a boy who loses his mother and is set adrift in the world. A world here which doesn't seem to have the social or community parachute that a boy in this situation needs. This is obviously a world that mirrors exactly where our own is going. Social support structures giving way to corporate greed and corporate needs. It's also a story about what this sort of environment does to men who grow up in these poorer environments.

It may be a bit slow paced and mediative for some people but I found that the pace let the story breathe. There's time to get to know the characters and their motivations. It's believable world building (of a future we're almost at) on an obvious low budget is commendable. Ably directed and phographed. And the acting from all involved is excellent, especially Kano and young Bannerman.

All in all I found it an enjoyable watch with a pertinent message about where continued capitalist growth will lead to greater disparity, and thus hostility, in our world. While also delivering a quiet and powerful story of a boy trying to find some connection in the world.

I had a very different idea about the film after watching the trailer. But it didn't disappoint and in a way depicts today's London even though it's supposed to be dystopian as I agree with most of the comments.

However most people don't really understand the metaphorical depiction that actually people are classified, alienated, pushed out of their homes and zones and left in poverty by the system.

I know stories of people and I can also relate to the housing problems and neighbourhoods that are neglected and crime becomes increasingly apparent. Not as much as they describe in the film but pretty soon all this and much more can become the truth.

Not just people of colour but more diverse and low income groups are all in the same boat.

This isn't a real reflection of London now but still explains the system and what may come to pass if things aren't improved and more humane.

Was really looking forward to this especially with it set in a not too distant London with an all black cast and such a promising story. The right idea was there. It was just executed so badly. So boring. It's fine to be avant garde and have long lingering shots if there is a reason. Here, it was just not retaining my attention. Things happened. There seemed to be no beginning, middle or end.

Deeply frustrating.

I can't even 'spoil' it for you as there simply is nothing to spoil. Nothing happend whatsoever.

Either Daniel Kalyuka needs to purely stick to acting (which he is great at) or he greaty needed some assistance with the directing. And the writing. And the editing. Sorry Daniel!

When you watch this movie for the very first time, you will soon realize that you are facing a very bizarre but brilliant atmosphere . Somewhere is London possibly but in the future.

The Idea of this movie is quite attractive, it will engage your mind and your guts in a very emotional way and it tells a story about people's challenges and difficulties as n a different era, it is future and people are changed but not in a good way except technology.

However, it is a shame the director of this movie was not able to deliver the same quality of the initial idea . It is the shame that the DOP work was disastrous, lack of stage direction, lack of right camera movement, incorrect framing , lack of actors direction and not even a good engaging editing . This movie could have been positioned one of the top 30 movies in the world , this movie could have been compared with blade runner at some point but the movie director wasn't chosen wisely and did destroy the whole work.

Finally the production design team did a very good job and it was right for purpose of this movie.

Excruciatingly slow and very boring. I was waiting on something happening and well, it didn't. The dialogue was also not as good as it should have been. Very muffled sounding and that added to the east London accent, made it difficult to understand what any of the main characters were saying. Some of the cgi was ropey as well. At first I thought it was an issue with my WiFi, but after rewinding and watching again, it was obviously poorly generated, with some pixelated edges and shifting patterns and colours. Watched to the end hoping for a last minute reprieve. But it didn't come. Wasted Friday night viewing.

There are plenty of disappointed reviewers on here, and that's a shame. I suspect it's because they were expecting this film to be something it definitely wasn't.

It's not sci-fi. It's not fast-paced. It's not action-packed. But it is a well-acted human interest drama that looks at what life might be like, in the not-too-distant future, for deprived and overlooked communities in London.

It was thought-provoking, well shot and well cast - Kano is great in this role, as he was in Top Boy, and discovering Ian Wright's acting skills was quite a surprise. You can do much worse than this for an evening's entertainment.

Well that was 2 hours of my life I wont get back. I love British films and I have enjoyed past performances from the actors and director. But this was pretty woeful.

Very poor acting, no real story or character development and I am still wondering what the gist of the film was or what they were trying to achieve with it. Really annoyed I stuck with it and didn't turn it off. A Friday night to forget.

I hope Ian Write didn't give up match of the day to take up acting also.

Maybe it would have been better as a mini series ... or maybe it would have been better if the one and only script was left on a bus somewhere, never to be seen again so it was never made in the first place ha.

This is a good film. Seems to be the bad reviews on here are from those a little out of touch "funny music" and "no back story on why the world was like that". It's a world where the poor are gradually having everything done to them to make them poorer and communities get stronger - we are not far off this now. The funny music is literally just Afro-Caribbean music.

It's done really well with great actors. The story is human and doesn't need any huge twists or shocks. Thankfully no middle class teens cheesily acting like gangs too. It's nice to see a mainly black cast without them doing the usual stereotypes. Give it go on a chill evening.

The Kitchen has a lot on its mind and plenty to say and whilst it never reaches the highs this genre has in the past, it still remains a worthy addition. Strong character work and a hard hitting exploration of themes that unfortunately remain relevant make up for an ending that isn't entirely satisfying.

Kane Robinson is really good at portraying his character's inner turmoil. For every moment of warmth where he opens up there's also plenty of times where he'll do something selfish, even if he regrets it later. Jedaiah Bannerman is equally torn with moments of levity and anger as he struggles to find his place.

Ian Wright is a real highlight. Even if he's only in a handful of scenes his presence is always felt as the heart of the film, designed to feel bleaker in his absence. When the film goes to its darkest places he's there to rediscover the hope and emphasise the humanity that's so potent in this community.

Daniel Kaluuya and Kibwe Tavares craft an interesting world. It's still recognisably present day London with some sci-fi flourishes added in the distance so it always feels out of reach. Outside of the world building their direction feels claustrophobic in its narrow sets and has a real intimacy for the emotional beats, prioritising the performances as much as possible.

Who greenlit this cinematic disaster? I entered with high hopes, eager to embrace the story and characters, but alas, the film's lack of direction and purpose left me utterly disheartened. The experience was not only frustrating but also incredibly dull, failing to hold my attention throughout.

The absence of a coherent narrative was glaring. A well-constructed story is the backbone of any movie, and unfortunately, this one seemed to lack the fundamentals. Scenes felt disjointed, as if they were randomly pieced together without consideration for a cohesive plot. It left me questioning the decision-making process behind bringing this project to life.

Moreover, the movie suffered from a severe deficit in compelling storytelling. A good film should whisk its audience away on a journey, weaving a narrative that evokes emotions and leaves a lasting impact. Regrettably, this production fell short in creating a memorable and engaging story. It seemed as if the writers struggled to develop the characters, leaving them one-dimensional and unrelatable.

Another aspect that contributed to the film's downfall was the casting. Great actors can elevate even the most mediocre scripts, but in this case, the ensemble failed to breathe life into the poorly developed characters. It felt like a missed opportunity, as a more capable cast could have potentially salvaged some redeeming qualities from the lackluster screenplay.

One of the most frustrating aspects was the absence of a clear purpose. A movie should have a driving force, a reason for its existence beyond mere entertainment. Whether it's to convey a powerful message, provoke thought, or simply provide an escape, a film needs a purpose to resonate with its audience. Unfortunately, this movie left me wondering why it was made in the first place, lacking the depth and substance that separates memorable films from forgettable ones.

As the minutes ticked by, my initial enthusiasm waned, replaced by a growing sense of disappointment. The cinematography, while not outright terrible, failed to compensate for the deficiencies in storytelling. Visually, the film lacked a distinctive style, and the cinematographic choices seemed uninspired. A more imaginative approach could have injected life into the scenes, but instead, it added to the overall mediocrity.

Moreover, the soundtrack failed to create the desired emotional impact. A well-composed score can elevate the viewing experience, enhancing the mood and resonating with the audience. Unfortunately, the music in this film felt like an afterthought, lacking the depth and resonance needed to complement the unfolding narrative.

In conclusion, the decision to greenlight this movie left me perplexed. It's disheartening to witness the potential of a promising concept squandered by poor execution. From a disjointed plot to uninspiring performances, the film fell short on multiple fronts. While the idea of critiquing a movie is subjective, this one left me yearning for more, not in a positive sense, but in the hope that future projects receive more thoughtful consideration before hitting the big screen.

It is difficult to describe just how bad a movie can be...this one in particular is pretty bad...

In a strange attempt to port US racial issues to the UK it fails on almost every count. Poor direction, poor script and very bad acting...all of which might be over-looked if the end film was engaging at all...it isn't. It almost feels like watching a trailer for an hour and a half.

It isn't the worst film I've ever seen. Just what you expect from a modern movie...Boring plot. Boring characters etc.

I give it 5 out of 10 because there is some production value...totally wasted but it is there nonetheless.

I do wish that studios think long and hard about handing the keys to 'names' to indulge in vanity projects.

You would think that someone who had penned a story, someone who has acted in many productions would know how to meld words with direction. This just didn't seem the case here and resulted in a lack of coherence and saggy pacing.

The writer being the director ensured there was an irritating inbalance in the character development department too that could have been easily rectified.

I think maybe trying your arm at a few episodes of something low key before throwing yourself into a full on project.

The idea of the film is so good but didn't execute well at all, in fact I skipped through this film because of how slow and boring the storyline is. It could've been so much better if they invested more time in character arks, no one's story is explained at all or how even the estate was like that in the first place. I'm so disappointed because it had so much potential, it was really cool to see Ian wright in a film tho but at the end of the day if you're expecting "top boy" type settings that look the other way, in fact watch top boy again rather than watching this, waste of a couple hours time. If you want to watch a film similar to this but a million times better watch "shank", UK classic with a similar premise.