Filmium Back to search
Movie Backdrop

Heaven Knows What streaming

2015 Movie United States, France Drama, Crime 97 min Ages 17+
By: Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie With: Douglas Levison, Ariel Pink, Alfred Mac Adam, Brian Hodges, Jonathan Spielsinger

Driven by the irrepressible, daily need to have a fix, Harley, a homeless, substance-dependent young woman, thinks that she has found true love in the mean streets of bustling New York City. But then, Ilya, her abusive, drug-addled boyfriend, who dominates her vulnerable heart and gives her a reason to live, asks the unthinkable. Suddenly, devotion becomes a cruel word, and only self-sacrifice can bring atonement. Now, desperate Harley is ready to do Ilya's bidding without a second thought; however, before long, she will have to make a tough decision: choose between her love for Ilya and her unbreakable heroin addiction.

Filmium rating
68%

Festival Achievements

Rotterdam International Film Festival 2015
Selections:
Spectrum

Mood

Dark
Desperate
Gritty
Harrowing
Melancholic
Serious

Cast & Crew

Benny Safdie
Josh Safdie
Ronald Bronstein
Arielle Holmes
Yuri Pleskun
Erik Weshnak
Aida Ruilova
Anna-Maria Labianca
Eléonore Hendricks
Kelly Buckley
Douglas Levison
Clarice Petillo
Adam Cappelli
Jack Eiwick
Francesa Laprella
John Asma
Bobby Waltzer
Jonathan Spielsinger
Sharon Washington
Alberto Safdie
Cindy Little
Diana Singh
Alexandra Owens
Ariel Pink
Aaron Keller
Ann Ingram
Kwesi Prophett
Corey Torres
Xavier Cruz
James R. Tay
Maynard Nicholl
David Moren
Jonathan Marx
Ratso Slowman
Joshua Nicole
Vincent Agbayani
Justin Bullock
Brian Hodges
Jose Vega
Eugenia Ortiz
Justin T. Rivera
Jekietha Brown
Lily Picket
Julia Rohl
Manny Aguila
Luis Acevado
Rik Letendre
Christopher Goin
Tim Koh
Caleb Landry Jones
Buddy Duress
Jeff Chen
Isaac Adams
Mike Patellis
Kate Halpern
Juste Comparore
Grey Cotton
Robert Shulman
Michael Kaufman
Thomas Myers
Misty Mccall
Mirela Mujovic
Sanjay Beadle
Alfred Mac Adam
Necro
Benjamin Hampton
Dash Privlej
Eric Ross
Russell James Peters
Ben Safdie
Joshua Safdie
Ron Bronstein

Adaptation

Based On Memoir

Budget

Independent
Low-Budget
Resourceful

Cinematic Technique

Close-Up
Close-Up Shots
Fluid Editing
Grainy Texture
Long Shot
Long Takes

Film Movements

Independent Film
Truth

Narrative Structure

Character-Driven
Episodic
Introspective
Linear
Non-Linear

Pace

Deliberate
Meditative
Reflective
Slow
Slow-Paced
Unhurried

Runtime

Long Runtime

Soundtrack

Ambient
Electronic
Electronica
Industrial
Textural

Style

Cinematic
Documentary-Like
Gritty
Handheld
Realism
Realistic

Time-Period

2010S
Contemporary

Central Conflict

Addiction
Desperation
Love And Obsession

Characters

Drug Dealer
Heroin Addict
Homeless Woman

Ending

Ambiguous
Bittersweet
Tragic

Historical Context

2010S
Contemporary

Key Plot Points

Death By Fire
Reconciliation
Suicide Attempt

Plot

Addiction
Desperation
Drug Addiction
Homelessness
Survival
Tragedy

Setting

New York City Streets
Urban Decay

Shooting Location

New York City
Urban Environment

Theme

Addiction
Desperation
Loss
Love
Love And Loss

Genre

Independent Film
Psychological Drama
Realism

Audiences

Adults
Art-House Viewers
Drama Enthusiasts
Independent Film Enthusiasts
Independent Film Lovers

Titles

Heaven Knows What

Awards

Best Director
Grand Prix

Festivals

Venice Film Festival

Reception

Critical Acclaim
Festival Award-Winning
Film Festival Awards
Positive Reviews

Production Countries

United States

Release Year

2015
mowizz ID: e5bbb186-f64e-43eb-93bd-4ea2ee9f9995
Imprint
Privacy policy
Terms and Conditions
About us
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Supported by:
KtBE
BAK
EGS
Suissimage
Swissperform
© 2026 Filmium GmbH - all external content remains the property of the rightful owner
Version: v1.2.64 (frontend) | (backend)