Eli

2019 1h 38m EN

😐

6.0

MID

★6.0TMDB · 1,556

Horror

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A boy named Eli with a rare autoimmune disorder is confined to a special experimental clinic for his treatment. He soon begins experiencing supernatural forces, turning the supposedly safe facility into a haunted prison for him and his fellow patients.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Charlie Shotwell
Eli
Sadie Sink
Haley
Lili Taylor
Dr. Isabella Horn
Kelly Reilly
Rose
Max Martini
Paul
Deneen Tyler
Nurse Barbara
Katia Gomez
Nurse Maricela
Austin Foxx
Perry

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Ciarán Foy
Writers: David Chirchirillo, Ian B. Goldberg, Richard Naing
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 6

ERA

Did you know

Released 7 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Ciarán Foy, shot by Jeff Cutter. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Bear McCreary. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Jason Hellmann shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 6

CAST

Did you know

Charlie Shotwell and Sadie Sink and Lili Taylor carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 6

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt5294518 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Ciarán Foy directs. Jeff Cutter behind the camera. Bear McCreary scores. Jason Hellmann cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 7 years ago.
2Directed by Ciarán Foy, shot by Jeff Cutter. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Bear McCreary. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Jason Hellmann shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Charlie Shotwell and Sadie Sink and Lili Taylor carry the top of the cast.
6IMDB entry: tt5294518 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Jeff Cutter
Original score: Bear McCreary
Editing: Jason Hellmann
Production design: Bill Boes
Costume design: Terry Anderson
Makeup / hair: Bailey Domke
VFX supervisor: Jose Marra
Sound: Laura Wiest
Stunt coordinator: Andy Dylan
Runtime: 98 min · 1h 38m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: Eli (2019)

Also by

Ciarán Foy

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Gimly2019-12-28
★ 4/10
Eli director Ciarán Foy is also the man behind 2012's Citadel, which I found to be drastically underappreciated. For that reason, I went into Eli completely blind, expected to enjoy it of off of Foy's involvement alone. Ended up being pretty disappointed. The effects they use for the titular Eli's skin rashes appearing and disappearing are great, I was genuinely impressed, truly. But the quote-unquote "mysteries" of the movie ("Hm, this doesn't seem quite right, what's really going on here?") start very early on in the piece, and are drawn out for sooooo long, then only about half of those mysteries are answered in one single reveal, and even those ones are resolved in a way I was not at all satisfied by. Final rating:★★ - Had some things that appeal to me, but a poor finished product.
Martha2022-07-26
★ 8/10
I won't get the movie plot away but I will say this ... this movie is extremely interesting from start to finish. The cast is brilliant, the story was intriguing oh, and the ending maybe even smile and laugh a little but that might be just because I have a morbid sense of humor. It's definitely worth a watch.
Alunauwie2025-08-31
★ 7/10
Eli (2019) presents an intriguing concept with a surprising twist that keeps viewers engaged despite some narrative flaws. The story centers on a boy with an autoimmune disorder brought to a mysterious treatment facility, creating a suspenseful and eerie atmosphere. The conflict escalates as Eli grows uneasy with the strange treatments and tense family dynamics, leading to a layered climax, though some scenes intended to build tension feel awkward or unnecessary. The twist’s execution lacks full impact, weakening the emotional resonance. Technically, the film is well-crafted with effective cinematography, sound, and color that support the mood, while performances remain solid but unremarkable. Key story elements like Dr. Horn’s background and Eli’s origins are underdeveloped, leaving questions about motivations and emotional depth. Despite its shortcomings, Eli offers a watchable horror experience with a compelling premise and suspenseful moments. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) and (English version : uwiepuspita.com)