The Death of the Sacred Deer (Film)

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (English title) is a 2017 psychological thriller and drama film. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the screenplay was co-written by Lanthimos and Efthymis Filippou. The lead roles are played by Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Barry Keoghan and Raffey Cassidy. The film is structured as a modern tragedy inspired by Greek mythology, exploring heavy themes such as moral dilemmas, guilt and atonement through an unsettling narrative.

Plot Summary

The film centers on Steven Murphy (Colin Farrell), a successful heart surgeon, and his mysterious relationship with a young boy named Martin (Barry Keoghan). Martin’s father died during an operation performed by Steven, and Martin cannot accept this loss without exacting a price from the Murphy family. The Murphy family begins to suffer strange and unexplainable physical symptoms: first the children lose the ability to walk, then they lose their appetite and emotional responses. Martin claims this is punishment for Steven’s past wrongdoing and forces him into an impossible choice: he must kill either his wife or one of his two children to save the rest of his family.

Thematic Structure

The film alludes to the ancient Greek tragedy myth of The Sacrifice of Iphigenia. In this myth, Agamemnon kills a sacred deer and is punished by the goddess Artemis: to secure salvation, he must sacrifice his daughter. Similarly, in the film, Steven’s past sin—his professional negligence—is brought to light by a divine retribution mechanism.

Main Themes

• Guilt and Atonement: Steven’s past professional failures weigh heavily on his psyche. Throughout the film, his confrontation with the consequences of his guilt and his struggle for self-forgiveness are explored in detail.
• Moral Responsibility: The characters’ decisions and choices reveal tensions between personal and societal obligations. Steven does not merely acknowledge his mistakes but struggles to fulfill his responsibilities.
• Tension Between Free Will and Fate: The film emphasizes the conflict between an individual’s power to determine their own destiny and external forces—such as the mechanism of divine punishment. Key turning points in Steven’s life reflect this tension.
• Fragility of Family Relationships: Steven’s bonds with his family, particularly emotional disconnections and wounds from the past, are portrayed in depth. Conflicts within the family serve both character development and thematic deepening.
• Coldness and Emotional Distance: The film examines emotional barriers and detachment between characters. Steven’s internal isolation is powerfully conveyed through visual composition and dialogue.

Character Analysis

• Steven Murphy (Colin Farrell): A successful surgeon who appears cold and composed on the surface but is forced to confront the consequences of a past error. His internal disintegration parallels his loss of control over the external world.
• Anna Murphy (Nicole Kidman): Steven’s wife. Initially appearing rational and composed, she increasingly pressures her husband as events unfold, pushing him toward a decision. She is a character capable of stretching moral boundaries.
• Martin Lang (Barry Keoghan): A mysterious figure who lost his father at a young age and seeks to punish Steven. His coldness and expressionless demeanor make him appear as an embodiment of supernatural power or divine justice.
• Kim and Bob Murphy (Raffey Cassidy & Sunny Suljic): Steven’s children. They symbolize innocence but become increasingly vulnerable to manipulation as the film progresses, eventually acting out of fear of death.

Production and Release Information

The film is Yorgos Lanthimos’s second English-language feature following his 2015 film The Lobster. Cinematography was handled by Thimios Bakatakis. It is a co-production between Ireland and the United Kingdom. Production took place in various European cities, primarily Dublin. Lanthimos’s symmetrical framing, wide-angle shots and clinical white spaces are distinctive visual elements. The film was released in the United States on 20 October 2017.

Awards

Cannes Film Festival (2017)

• Best Screenplay: Yorgos Lanthimos & Efthymis Filippou (Won—shared with The Square)

Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival (2017)

• José Luis Guarner Critics’ Award for Best Film (Won)

Irish Film & Television Awards (2018)

• Best Supporting Actor: Barry Keoghan (Won)

Box Office and Critical Reception

The film had a budget of approximately five million dollars and earned around six million dollars worldwide. Although it did not achieve major commercial success, it received generally positive reviews from critics. Barry Keoghan’s performance as Martin and Lanthimos’s direction were widely praised, while some viewers found the film overly cold and disturbing. The film has been extensively analyzed in cinematic circles for its moral philosophy and approach to tragedy.