Click to read the article
Thirteen (2003)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:142
Fresh:116
Rotten:26
Average Rating:7.3/10
Consensus: An emotionally wrenching, not to mention terrifying, film about the perils of being a teenager.
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: THIRTEEN is Catherine Hardwicke's explosive portrait of teenage girls at their very worst. Mean, manipulative, conniving, and utterly out of control, these skinny, sexy, drug-addicted, 13-year-old... THIRTEEN is Catherine Hardwicke's explosive portrait of teenage girls at their very worst. Mean, manipulative, conniving, and utterly out of control, these skinny, sexy, drug-addicted, 13-year-old time bombs are nothing short of terrifying. Hardwicke's movie is brilliant in its ability to portray this phenomenon, which comes off as very real. The skillful photography from cinematographer Elliot Davis communicates the most complicated themes of the film: insecurity, confusion, wanting to be liked and accepted, and feeling like it's time to grow up fast. In an early scene, protagonist Tracy (Evan Rachel Wood), a shy girl and good student, approaches Evie (Nikki Reed), the school's ultra-popular bad girl, and the two size up each other's clothing, jewelry, hair, shoes, socks, and decide to go on a shopping spree. From there Tracy spirals downward, copying Evie's every move in an aggressive game of daring each other to take increasingly dangerous risks--stealing, getting piercings, experimenting with sex, drinking and taking drugs, and much more. All the while Tracy's mom (Holly Hunter) who is a bohemian ex-alcoholic trying to be open-minded and supportive about her daughter's rebellion, slowly loses her authority and her ability to cope with these volatile teens. A booming, excellent soundtrack punctuates the hyper, desperate, manic mood of the girls' behavior, and catalyzes the adrenaline rush that is THIRTEEN. [More]
Starring: Holly Hunter, Evan Rachel Wood, Nikki Reed, Jeremy Sisto
Starring: Holly Hunter, Evan Rachel Wood, Nikki Reed, Jeremy Sisto, Brady Corbet, Deborah Kara Unger, Kip Pardue
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Screenwriter: Catherine Hardwicke, Nikki Reed
Producer: Michael London, Jeff Levy-Hinte
Composer: Mark Mothersbaugh
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Reviews for Thirteen
The script was based on first-hand experience, and a lot of it rings chillingly true.
Hardwicke shows great instincts, using a frenetic documentary style to hammer home the brutal realities of modern teenage life, but rooting it in an unusually sensitive portrait of mother and daughter.
A horror tale about a subculture in which impressionable girls drift under group pressure into drugs, piercing, self-mutilation, anorexia and shoplifting
A rather basic tale about the perils of going along with the in-crowd and the extremes to which teenagers will act out for attention.
a sober-sided Freaky Friday -- a chance to look through the eyes of a child
Latest News for Thirteen
November 30, 2006:
Critical Consensus: "Nativity" Is Too Safe; "Turistas" Not Worth Trip
This week at the movies, we've got a new take on the first Noel ("The Nativity Story," starring Keisha Castle-Hughes), endangered Americans in Brazil... More...
September 29, 2005:
"Dogtown" Director to Handle the "Monkey Wrench Gang"
Variety reports that Catherine Hardwicke, director of "Thirteen" and "Lords of Dogtown," will develop "The Monkey Wrench Gang" for Columbia... More...
July 15, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: Pretty Persuasion
One of Sundance's more buzzed-about films was the dark high school comedy "Pretty Persuasion," and now you can check out the trailer over at Quicktime's Trailer Site.... More...
September 10, 2003:
Haunting, gritty, and very “real,” novice director Catherine Hardwicke delivers a shockingly poignant gem in Sundance’s coming-of-age teenage drama “Thirteen” proving that luck is all in the eye of the beholder. ![]()
More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

