Kingdom of Us (2017)
Documentary
Stream itif you are prepared for an unflinching, intimate look at the complexities of collective family trauma.
An intimate and profoundly moving exploration of grief that captures a family trying to piece themselves back together after a tragedy. It is raw and emotionally heavy, demanding a high degree of empathy from the viewer.
What Kingdom of Us is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
The film is a quiet, hauntingly intimate experience that blends grainy home video footage with starkly honest contemporary interviews. It moves at a deliberate, reflective pace, mirroring the slow process of healing. The intensity stems from the raw emotional vulnerability displayed by the family members as they sift through their history. It feels like entering a private sanctuary, yet the family's openness makes the viewing experience remarkably shared rather than voyeuristic.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is essential viewing for those who prioritise human psychology and domestic reality over sensationalism. It will resonate with anyone who has navigated grief or complex family dynamics. However, those looking for a light evening or a fast-paced investigation should skip it. The caveat is that the film is relentlessly sombre; it offers no easy answers or Hollywood closures, staying rooted in the messy, ongoing nature of psychological and financial scars.
The right evening for it
It suits a quiet, solo evening when you have the emotional bandwidth to engage with heavy themes. It is best watched when you are in a reflective mood and prepared to sit with discomfort and empathy.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
If you like this, try
Stories We Tell (2012)
the same use of home movies to reconstruct a complicated and secretive family history
Minding the Gap (2018)
the same blend of archival footage and raw, painful revelations about domestic cycles
Dick Johnson Is Dead (2020)
a similarly creative and deeply personal approach to filming impending or past family loss
Suggested by our AI for what they share with this one. Linked titles have a page here; the rest are worth a search on the browse page.
What it is about
How does a traumatic event shape a family? How do you sift through the memories to find hidden clues and unlock a collective grief? Kingdom of Us takes a look at a mother and her seven children, whose father's suicide left them in financial ruin. Through home movies and raw moments, the Shanks family travels the rocky road towards hope.
Trailer
Questions people ask
- Is Kingdom of Us a tearjerker documentary?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Tearjerker, with a authentic streak. An intimate and profoundly moving exploration of grief that captures a family trying to piece themselves back together after a tragedy. It is raw and emotionally heavy, demanding a high degree of empathy from the viewer.
- How long is Kingdom of Us?
- Kingdom of Us runs 109 min and was released in 2017.
- Is Kingdom of Us worth watching?
- Stream it: if you are prepared for an unflinching, intimate look at the complexities of collective family trauma. TMDB users rate it 7.1 out of 10 from 32 votes.
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