Kingdom of Us (2017) User Reviews

Close to Death/Life

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 30 March 2018]

A big family like this has different kind of characters in it. And while group suffering is one thing, there is also the individual suffering. And the documentary or filmmaker at helm do a good job getting us in the middle of it. It's never easy dealing with the loss of a loved one, especially if you don't know what went on in their head.

In this case you won't get always all the answers you want to. It's tough to watch but it's finely edited and you may wonder at times if the filmmaker should have offered some kind of help or stayed objective (the latter being the case as you can imagine). If you can stomache it, watch it, but don't expect anything too flashy or sensational from this movie

Very sad

[ali-96563 · 6/10 · 19 January 2024]

A very sad documentary,It did explain a lot of questions you needed the answers to..you can see this man clearly has mental health problems can't quite grasp why he wasn't hospitalised..I know it said he wouldn't get help but can't understand why help wasn't gotten for him? You can really see the impact his illness has had on the children life's.. although there appeared to be happy moments you can see a lot of the sad moments affected them deeply !emotionally.! A very sad situation all around..It was a very tough watch and made you really think about how mental health can affect a whole family.

Real people, real life...

[lauren-03571 · 10/10 · 14 March 2018]

I also know this family locally and they are epic. A constant support to and within the local community. They have brought their experiences out into the public domain in order to help other families understand autism and mental health issues. It takes strength of character to do this and I applaud you and your amazing family, Vikie.

Beautiful and moving story of a courageous mom and her children after tragedy

[toyotasale · 10/10 · 4 March 2018]

This movie is one-of-a-kind because it captures a real-life snapshot of a family that has experienced the suicide of one parent, yet perseveres and continues to draw closer together. My life has some striking parallels so I was captivated by the realism portrayed in dealing with Autism and mental health issues as well as how beautifully Vikie Shanks has embraced her challenging life to love and care for her children exactly as they are. I think that one of the best aspects of Autism is true authenticity and Vikie displays a remarkable balance of allowing her children to express themselves while encouraging harmony and teamwork. I love the realism of daily life, even though some reviewers found the film too long. If nothing else, watch it to the end to better understand the impact of Autism on a family and how suicide and severe mental health issues play a significant role in family dynamics.

I am thankful for the vulnerability displayed by the whole family in sharing such difficult circumstances. Thank you, director Lucy Cohen and the Shanks family, for a beautiful and inspirational film!

Beautiful, touching, and remarkably well made

[jo-24477 · 10/10 · 14 March 2018]

This is truly one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. Yes it's sad but this is their life. I know from reading reviews and tweets that this film has already helped people with mental health issues because it deals with suicide. If you have an interest in Autism and related conditions you'll also want to watch it. Don't take my word for it - Google 'Kingdom Of Us reviews' and see what The Guardian, Rotten Tomatoes, Screen Daily, Daily Dot, The Telegraph, and Decider have to say about it. They can give a way better description than I can. Whatever you do, just watch it.

Sad situation

[thejdrage · 3/10 · 28 April 2022]

While this is a devastating situation, watching teens "play" to a camera all of their lives and then after a tragedy, just isn't my idea of a good documentary.

I honestly have no idea what the point was. I watched about 20 minutes, heard the son gush on "the best daddy in the world" and then kids being asked what to do about a family situation and them droning on as only young girls can.

But it never stopped. I have no idea what point of this documentary was/is, so I decided to save myself some time and went on to something else.

You need to check it out for yourself. It might be something you enjoy. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

Deeply personal, heartfelt & moving

[jen_australia · 9/10 · 14 March 2018]

This production takes you on a very private & intimate journey with a family facing a multitude of demons & hardships. There is so much love within this family and that shines through even throughout their darkest days. What a bunch of courageous people they sure are to share their story with us.

I had a hard time watching this

[sweetseve-36066 · 4/10 · 17 November 2021]

Ok, first off I have no intention of writing off the serious and truly heartbreaking story being told here. I found the pace to be painfully slow and it is hard for me to understand the story that they are trying to tell. With that being said there are a lot of television from across the pond that I find oddly paced. It may be a cultural perception. Long empty moments of silence or awkward long speeches with melancholy tones make the whole production feel dry and the ongoing discussions about the children's desire to make it in the music industry confused me at first as I couldn't link in my mind why music was being talked about in the suicide story.

So while I completely think the people are telling a really important story and that events were tragic and in their own ways compelling, as an observer to something that's streaming (and forgive me for my stark honesty) I found it extremely dry, boring, and hard to connect to. There are lots of important boring things and perhaps this is worthy of a watch. But, don't expect to be entertained... After all suicide is not something that should be entertaining.

Close look at the effects on family of suicide

[ty-02325 · 10/10 · 10 November 2017]

Well worth the watch. Very sad to watch. Brings back painful memories of my mums suicide and yrs later my cousins. I have mental health issues its hard to cope some days. Well done this family and to Pippa its hard honey but it will get easier to cope. To Vicky you are one hell off a mum.

Moving, engrossing, beautifully handled

[anthonyjlangford · 9/10 · 3 March 2018]

This is a family still coming to terms with the effects of tragedy and in the process, learning how to rebuild their shattered unit. There are surprising pieces of wisdom from these teenagers, (particularly the boy and the youngest girl), and great acts of love and courage from all. You'll come to know these people with great affection, like I did.

The documentary picks up some years after the event itself, and is more interested in slowly unraveling the effects of a close death, than hitting us over the head with the details of the suicide, as you might expect in a film, or in lesser hands. This is a filmmaker that respects the subjects she is filming, as there is nothing more painful than the sudden loss of a loved one and that pain is evident here in great volumes. It's sometimes hard to watch.

It's simply heartbreaking and you can't help but wish you could do something for them but of course, we are merely observers, yet never feeling that we are on the outside. We are involved. We care. While it's very personal, it never feels evasive, thanks to Lucy Cohen, the director, who clearly has spent a lot of time with the family and gained their trust. She's often happy to sit back and let her camera observe (she was also the videographer), occasionally prompting them with a question. Subtlety is the key here, and respect.

There's great skill here too in the editing. What a mammoth task to put together several years of filming. You can feel the narrative being crafted, yet its never contrived. Never too obvious. A lovely piece of work from a great talent. I wish the family all the best for the future.

Beautiful family, touching story

[janni-98154 · 10/10 · 14 March 2018]

While the topic of this documentary is very serious and sad, this family is inspiring with their love for each other. This is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. Very well done. I commend the family for opening themselves up on camera and sharing their pain with the public. Vikie is a lucky woman to have such wonderful children, and they are lucky to have her as their mother.

Autism not really......

[robbieroth · 4/10 · 11 November 2021]

Yes it's emotional and true but I am on the scale, my partner has Aspergers these children are not autistic! It's unreal to think they are.

I'm wondering what other people are saying.

An honest, touching insight into autism and the challenges of living with mental health issues.

[jennystockbridge · 10/10 · 14 March 2018]

A touching tribute to a family who have worked together to overcome many difficult times. Vikie and her family are a wonderful loving family who give their time to support those going through difficult times in their lives. The family have not had an easy journey through life, but they pull together and give us hope that we can too.

Stunning

[john-85114 · 10/10 · 14 March 2018]

What an incredible family. So strong and with an amazing bond. Watch this film.

A spectacular documentary.

[iuditapretty · 10/10 · 22 March 2018]

Very well-made documentary. I can say the director has made a very good work in directing this film. The kind of documentary that can make you think about life and its ups and downs. How important it is to maintain yourself happy and to understand the ones around you.

The cathartic power of filmmaking

[jamiedarlow-37510 · 9/10 · 1 March 2020]

This harrowing documentary follows a family of eight, six years after their father committed suicide. From the emotional lows to growing anxiety disorders, the darkest moments of this family's past have been captured here in an incredibly well documented account; beautifully filmed and edited from home video and fresh recordings. It's so intimate that you feel you know them very early on and therefore it's hard not to get emotionally involved as a viewer and want them all to find true happiness again. I spent the majority of the time gobsmacked at the tragic event itself and hoping that everyone would pull through. And I think that's what is so wonderful about this family; they've got each other to not only share the grieving process with but also to support one another and find a brighter future together. Everyone gets their story told from the mother to all the siblings which is so important; I believe just after watching that this documentary marking this point in their lives would have been incredibly therapeutic for them I hope. A very moving statement on the strength of the human spirit in harsh times. You can catch it on Netflix now!