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Drama thriller

I Kill Giants (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

I Kill Giants (2018) movie poster

I Kill Giants is a 2018 drama thriller directed by Anders Walter, starring Madison Wolfe as Barbara, Imogen Poots and Sydney Wade. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $342,558 worldwide on a $15.1 million budget. Critics gave it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
78%
worldwide gross
$342.6K
Echo Score
68
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I Kill Giants (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Anders Walter
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Fantasy
Original language
English
Budget
$15.1M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is I Kill Giants About?

The premise of I Kill Giants without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young teenager escapes from her personal problems by immersing herself in a world of heroic fantasy and battling mythical giants. As she fiercely defends her town from these imagined creatures, she must also confront the very real challenges and emotional turmoil in her own life, blurring the lines between her elaborate fantasy and the world around her.

I Kill Giants Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • giant
  • school
  • based on comic book
  • based on graphic novel
  • escape from reality
  • bully
  • cancer
  • forest
  • girl
  • sister sister relationship
  • storm
  • terminal illness
+38 more
  • ill mother
  • loss of mother
  • death of mother
  • psychological
  • seaside
  • sea
  • toilet
  • spitting
  • spitting on someone
  • giant killer
  • psychologist
  • beaten up
  • illness
  • funeral
  • three word title
  • bunny ears
  • escapist fantasy
  • psychological drama
  • fantasy versus reality
  • dying mother
  • nerd
  • socially awkward girl
  • older sister looking after siblings
  • school bullying
  • nerd protagonist
  • school psychologist
  • nerdy teenager
  • misfit
  • truant
  • fantasy drama
  • reality versus fantasy
  • domestic drama
  • nerdy girl
  • escapism
  • teenage protagonist
  • teen drama
  • socially awkward protagonist
  • school truancy
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Cast & crew

I Kill Giants Cast & Characters

Madison Wolfe leads the cast as Barbara, with Imogen Poots as Karen and Sydney Wade as Sophia. Directed by Anders Walter; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in I Kill Giants

· 10 more
Ratings

I Kill Giants Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave I Kill Giants 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

68 /100

I Kill Giants Echo Score Breakdown

In "I Kill Giants," the film’s heartfelt emotional core and visual ambition coexist with uneven narrative execution and occasional predictability. While critics highlight its sensitive exploration of a young girl’s inner turmoil and inventive blending of fantasy and reality, others note that the story sometimes relies on familiar beats and underdeveloped plot threads. The lead performance by Madison Wolfe receives consistent praise, anchoring the film’s more uneven elements. Net result is a moderately engaging drama that excels emotionally but falls short of fully realizing its premise.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents a visually striking yet modest production. The cinematography makes strong use of coastal locations and a muted color palette to reinforce the narrative’s emotional stakes. Direction often blends fantasy sequences and real-world settings with creative framing, though low-budget CGI occasionally undermines visual cohesion. Overall, the film’s art direction is engaging despite technical inconsistencies.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, I Kill Giants features a compelling central performance that anchors its thematic core. Madison Wolfe’s portrayal conveys a nuanced mix of courage and vulnerability, supported by solid turns from the supporting cast. Some critics and viewers note that the protagonist’s brusque demeanor limits early empathy, yet her emotional arc ultimately resonates. The film offers robust character work despite occasional tonal unevenness.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the film balances coming-of-age drama with fantasy elements but occasionally falters in pacing and coherence. Early narrative threads suffer from predictable developments and underexplored plot points, though the final act delivers a poignant emotional payoff. Some viewers find the genre shift abrupt, while others appreciate the reflective tone. Overall, the storyline engages but lacks consistent momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s sound design and score remain understated, letting visual elements take precedence. The blending of muted environmental sounds with a restrained musical backdrop supports the mood without calling undue attention. Visually, the porous boundaries between fantasy and reality are well captured through creative lighting and editing, though occasional CGI flaws dim the overall cohesion of sensory immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, I Kill Giants offers emotional depth that may invite subsequent viewings for its thematic richness. The film’s exploration of grief and imagination resonates on repeat, yet its familiar narrative beats and the predictability of certain twists could limit long-term appeal. While the central performance remains compelling on rewatch, the uneven pacing and modest spectacle may temper lasting enthusiasm.

Plot

I Kill Giants Plot Summary

What happens in I Kill Giants from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Barbara Thorson, portrayed by Madison Wolfe, is an imaginative and fierce young teenager who resides with her supportive older sister, Karen Poots, and her brother. Inspired by her passion for Dungeons & Dragons and the history of former Phillies pitcher Harry Coveleski, Barbara has developed a rich fantasy world of her own. She is convinced that giants from other realms are plotting to attack her hometown, prompting her to spend her days meticulously crafting weapons and traps to safeguard against these threats.

Full summary

The whole story of I Kill Giants, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

I Kill Giants Box Office & Budget

I Kill Giants grossed $342,558 worldwide on a $15.1 million budget.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$342.6K

International
$342.6K
Budget
$15.1M
Videos

I Kill Giants Trailers & Videos

The trailer of I Kill Giants.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know I Kill Giants?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main character of 'I Kill Giants'?

Cars

Cars in I Kill Giants

5 cars on screen, including the 2002 Land-Rover Freelander Series I and the 1994 International 3000-Series.

All 5 cars
  • 2002 Land-Rover Freelander Series I in I Kill Giants 2002 Land-Rover Freelander Series I Important role
  • 1994 International 3000-Series in I Kill Giants 1994 International 3000-Series Minor role
  • 1997 Buick Park Avenue in I Kill Giants 1997 Buick Park Avenue Background role
  • 2007 Hyundai Tiburon in I Kill Giants 2007 Hyundai Tiburon Background role
Details

I Kill Giants Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Chasseuse de géants” and “Moi contre les géants”.

Also known as
  • Chasseuse de géants
  • Moi contre les géants
  • Eu Mato Gigantes
  • 아이 킬 자이언츠
  • הורגת הענקים
  • 我殺死了巨人
  • Yo Mato Gigantes
  • Cazadora de Gigantes
  • Yo mato a los gigantes
  • 나는 거인들을 죽인다
  • Caçadora de Gigantes
  • 我杀死巨人
+15 more
  • Я сражаюсь с великанами
  • Dev Avcısı
  • Я вбиваю велетнів
  • Аз убивам великани
  • I Kill Giants - Eu Mato Gigantes
  • 我杀死了巨人
  • Óriásölő
  • Ја убијам џинове
  • Đại Chiến Gã Khổng Lồ
  • 殺死巨人的女孩
  • Zabijam gigantów
  • אני הורגת ענקים
  • バーバラと心の巨人
  • Aš žudau milžinus
  • สาวน้อย ผู้ล้มยักษ์

Seen I Kill Giants?

FAQ

I Kill Giants FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of I Kill Giants, each answered in a sentence.

How long is I Kill Giants?

I Kill Giants runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was I Kill Giants released?

I Kill Giants was released on March 23, 2018.

Who directed I Kill Giants?

I Kill Giants was directed by Anders Walter.

More films by Anders Walter

Who is in the cast of I Kill Giants?

I Kill Giants stars Madison Wolfe as Barbara, Imogen Poots as Karen and Sydney Wade as Sophia, among 14 credited actors.

How much did I Kill Giants make at the box office?

I Kill Giants grossed $342,558 worldwide on a budget of $15.1 million.

How is I Kill Giants rated?

I Kill Giants has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does I Kill Giants have a post-credit scene?

No. I Kill Giants has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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