🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Anders Walter
- Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Thriller, Psychological Drama
- Release year: 2017
- Runtime (length): 1h 46min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (33K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 62%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A girl cosplays as a D&D character to avoid dealing with family issues and argues with imaginary rock monsters until she cries.
🍿 I Kill Giants: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Barbara’s World
Barbara Thorson, a young teenager, lives in a world of fantasy, believing she’s tasked with protecting her town from giants. She’s often ostracized for her odd behavior, including setting traps and carrying a toy hammer she calls ‘Coveleski’. She is deeply involved in a personal world that is difficult for others to understand.

New Friendship and Growing Doubts
A new girl named Sophia arrives and tries to befriend Barbara, becoming drawn into her fantastical world. Sophia begins to question the reality of Barbara’s giants, leading to tension and a growing distance between them. Barbara’s unwavering belief in her mission remains unshaken despite the skepticism.

Confronting Reality
As Barbara continues her preparations to fight the giants, glimpses into her home life reveal a deeper, more painful reality. Her avoidance of her sister Karen, and the discovery of her mother’s illness, begin to hint at the source of her escapism. The lines between her fantasy and reality blur, leading to a crucial confrontation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Barbara Thorson (Madison Wolfe): A troubled teenager who escapes reality by imagining herself as a giant-slaying hero, battling mythical creatures to cope with personal struggles.
- Mrs. Molle (Zoe Saldaña): The school psychologist who tries to help Barbara confront her emotional issues and separate fantasy from reality.
- Karen (Imogen Poots): Barbara’s older sister who struggles to balance caring for Barbara and their ailing mother.
- Sophia (Sydney Wade): A young girl who becomes Barbara’s friend and confidante, initially believing in her giant-fighting world but later understanding the underlying issues.
- Taylor (Rory Jackson): The school bully who antagonizes Barbara and becomes a source of conflict in her already complicated life.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Titan Voice: “All things that live in this world die. This is why you must find joy in the living, while the time is yours, and not fear the end. To deny this is to deny life.” – The Titan imparts a final lesson to Barbara as she faces her own mortality and grief.
- Barbara: “I’m here because people fear what they can’t understand.” – Barbara explains her self-imposed role as protector, highlighting the theme of societal misunderstanding.
- Mrs. Molle: “Sometimes the things we’re most afraid of are the things that are right in front of us.” – Mrs. Molle tries to help Barbara confront her real-world issues, rather than focusing on imaginary threats.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $15,100,000
- Domestic Gross: $0
- Worldwide Gross: $342,558
💥 I Kill Giants Reviews
Personal Review
I went into “I Kill Giants” expecting a fun fantasy adventure, but I found a deeply moving story about grief and escapism. Barbara’s struggles felt so real, and Madison Wolfe’s performance was incredible. The ending gutted me. I really did cry.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of coming-of-age stories”
- “Viewers interested in psychological dramas”
- “People who appreciate fantasy elements with a deeper meaning”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Brief bullying”
- “Mild violence”
- “Themes of death and illness”
Professional Reviews
- Screen Rant: “”I Kill Giants” blends fantasy with the harsh realities of life, creating a poignant narrative. Madison Wolfe delivers a powerful performance as Barbara, but the film’s slow pacing and ambiguous nature may not appeal to all viewers. The movie’s strength lies in its emotional depth, but its marketing as a fantasy action film may mislead audiences.
- IMDB: “The cinematography was on point, the VFX outstanding, the score appropriate and the acting was perfect by all cast members. It’s too bad the writing was not tighter and more audience friendly, as then this would have been a great film. Nevertheless, a well deserving 8/10 from me.
Audience Reactions
The film’s emotional depth resonated strongly with viewers who appreciated its sensitive handling of difficult themes.: Many praised Madison Wolfe’s acting and the movie’s ability to blend fantasy and reality seamlessly.
Those looking for pure action may be disappointed, but others found it thought-provoking.: It makes you really think of what’s important in life.
Overall Consensus: A coming-of-age story that uses fantasy elements to explore grief and denial, resulting in an emotionally resonant, albeit slow-paced, film that may not satisfy those seeking straightforward action.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Joe Kelly and J.M. Ken Niimura.”
- “Madison Wolfe, who plays Barbara, prepared for her role by reading the graphic novel multiple times and immersing herself in the character’s world.”
- “The visual effects for the giants were a combination of practical effects and CGI, aiming for a grounded and realistic look.”
- “Filming took place in Belgium and Ireland, despite the story being set in Long Island, New York.”
🖥️ How to Watch I Kill Giants?
I Kill Giants is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video, and can be rented or purchased on Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed I Kill Giants, you might like these similar films:
- A Monster Calls (2016): Both films deal with a child using fantasy to cope with a parent’s terminal illness, exploring themes of grief and denial.
- Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): Features a young girl escaping into a fantastical world to cope with the harsh realities of war and a difficult family situation.
- Bridge to Terabithia (2007): Deals with themes of imagination, friendship, and coping with loss through a shared fantasy world, focusing on childhood innocence.
🛒 I Kill Giants Related Products
- I Kill Giants (Image Comics): The original graphic novel that inspired the movie. Experience the full story with beautiful artwork and a deeper dive into Barbara’s world.
- Coveleski Baseball Bat: A hand-crafted replica of Barbara’s magical war hammer, Coveleski. This is a collector’s item for dedicated fans of the movie and graphic novel. This is sure to make the perfect gift for fans of the movie.
- “I Kill Giants” Inspired T-Shirt: A comfortable, high-quality t-shirt featuring iconic imagery from the movie, perfect for showing off your fandom.
🎧 Soundtrack
I Kill Giants features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
I Kill Giants is about a young girl, Barbara, who copes with her mother’s terminal illness by creating a fantasy world where she battles giants. It’s a story about grief, escapism, and ultimately, acceptance.
The giants in ‘I Kill Giants’ are largely symbolic, representing Barbara’s internal struggles and her fear of loss. While they appear real to her, the movie subtly suggests they are a manifestation of her coping mechanism.
The film ends with Barbara confronting her mother’s illness, accepting her impending death, and reconciling with her family and friends. She faces the final giant, thanks it, and moves forward with a newfound understanding of life and loss.
🔥 Bonus Content
Girl Has To Fight Giant Monsters Alone To Save Her Town
Need a quick rundown of “I Kill Giants”? This recap nails the main story points in just 11 minutes! It really helped me understand Barbara’s journey and the monsters she faces – both real and imagined.
I Kill Giants 2017 Explained in Hindi | God Of Earthquake
Want to understand “I Kill Giants” in Hindi? This video breaks down the plot and deeper meaning behind the story, all in Hindi. I found it super helpful for grasping some of the nuances I missed the first time around!
I Kill Giants (2017) Film Explained in Hindi / Urdu | I Kill Giant Summarized हिन्दी
Prefer your movie explanations in Hindi/Urdu? This video dives deep into the plot and ending of “I Kill Giants.” I found it really insightful and easy to follow along!
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