The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things

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The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things

R

2004

1h 37m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Young Jeremiah lives in a stable environment with loving foster parents until the day his troubled mother, Sarah (Asia Argento), returns to claim him. Jeremiah becomes swept up in his mother's dangerous world of drugs, seedy hotels, strip joints and revolving lovers. Salvation comes in the form of the boy's ultra-religious grandparents, but soon Jeremiah's mother returns. Maternal love binds the pair together on the road until Sarah's desperate and depraved lifestyle finally consumes her.

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Critics Consensus

The film aims to shock, but there is no higher reason for the parade of sordid images except to be "cool."

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Ann Hornaday

Washington Post

Apr 13, 2006

Reeks of a project desperate for edgy credibility.

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Jeff Shannon

Seattle Times

Apr 7, 2006

2.5/4

Argento's film is arguably exploitative, but its real-life horrors are effectively authentic.

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Empire Magazine

Mar 25, 2006

3/5

Trying a bit too hard to be a modern cult classic, but it's clear that Argento's heart is in the right place.

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Tom Steele

Out Magazine

May 25, 2022

The movie is a blistering and important jeremiad about the woeful ways that far too many Americans treat children.

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Steve Erickson

Gay City News

Jan 29, 2019

A flat plot description would make "The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things" sound like one of the most harrowing films ever made. However, Argento presents it with a lyricism that makes its horrors bearable.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Nov 9, 2008

B

Marks [Asia Argento] as a far more adventurous and even risk-addicted filmmaker than her famous father Dario.

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Sibby 5

@RT12152834 Aug 11, 2026

Sick twisted movie! Absolutely horrible. Don't see this movie! May this be a warning!

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Jun 19, 2019

too bad to be good. to raw to be called the art. it cuts like a blunted knife and leaves needless wounds. 2,5 points, but 0,5 more for shout "oh, Marilyn Manson, again! so creep"

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Aug 19, 2018

courageous and committed

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May 15, 2018

From the hot Euro chick who starred with Vin Diesel in XXX, Asia Argento (daughter of Italian director Dario Argento), we are treated to a really gruesome drag through the sewer of lowest America. That is the broad stroke of The Heart is Deceitful Above All Thinga. If the performances were not amazing and heartbreaking, this film would just not be something that should exist. Very disturbing, transgressive, voyeuristic, unflinching and totally content with leaving the viewer feeling raped. This is the work of a deeply suffering artist who is lashing out at the world. But, a good artist.

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Jan 6, 2014

Exploitative, and I say for the right reason. It does an amazing job making you see through the eyes of a child, of how tense situations can be when they don't fully understand and/or are afraid of. What makes this even more attention grabbing is that the story is true, yet it doesn't belong to anyone. It's both depressing to watch and to think about. The horror that some lives suffer are so complicated and such heart aching detail that we ask the wrong questions about there stories. This film still gave the right answer. Very powerful.

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Dec 31, 2013

Horrible film, absolutely horrendous but really well directed and acted by an Asia Argento in skanky mode.

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Asia Argento

Director

Asia Argento

Sarah

Jimmy Bennett

Jeremiah (Age 7)

Dylan Sprouse

Jeremiah (Age 11)

Cole Sprouse

Jeremiah (Age 11)

Peter Fonda

Grandfather

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Synopsis

Young Jeremiah lives in a stable environment with loving foster parents until the day his troubled mother, Sarah (Asia Argento), returns to claim him. Jeremiah becomes swept up in his mother's dangerous world of drugs, seedy hotels, strip joints and revolving lovers. Salvation comes in the form of the boy's ultra-religious grandparents, but soon Jeremiah's mother returns. Maternal love binds the pair together on the road until Sarah's desperate and depraved lifestyle finally consumes her.

Director: Asia Argento
Producer: Chris Hanley, Alain de la Mata, Roberta Hanley, Brian Young
Screenwriter: Asia Argento, Alessandro Magania
Production Co: Muse Productions, Departure Entertainment, Pretty Dangerous Films
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Drug Content|Child Abuse/Neglect|Some Violence|Strong Sex)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.1K
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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