The Giver (Movie Review)

*Updated December 2025

The Giver is one of the more beautiful movies you will see all year. It is just a shame it lacks the dramatic intensity to keep you engaged for two hours.

The Gist

In a utopian society devoid of all emotions except happiness, a young man is selected to inherit the collective memories and feelings of the human past. What he chooses to do with that knowledge will change his world forever.

What Works

The cinematography by Ross Emery is impressive. It brings to mind Gary Ross’s 1998 film Pleasantville, where the visuals felt innovative and distinct from anything else at the time. The use of black-and-white to represent an absence of emotion, transitioning into color to symbolize the discovery of real life, is visually stunning. The acting is equally solid, with Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges providing persuasive supporting performances.

What Doesn’t Work

The single biggest issue is the simplicity of the storyline. Watching a man discover emotions for the first time felt primitive, almost like watching cavemen discover fire. The source material by Lois Lowry is aimed at children rather than adults, which explains the tone.

Lowry seems to suggest that modern children may be ungrateful for the privileges of music, dance, and the natural evolution of life, regardless of the chaos involved. While some self-centered adults might need that reminder, most people already live with a sense of gratitude.

Director Phillip Noyce reaffirmed my appreciation for the little things in life, but the message felt redundant. That redundancy turned the film into an exercise in patience, waiting for a greater wisdom that never arrived.

Watch It or Not?

If you have a child who needs a dose of perspective, this is a wonderful film for them to see. However, if you are already aware of its message, you should drastically curtail your expectations.

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