The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›The Giver
Entertainment • Film

The Giver

The Giver is a 2014 American dystopian drama film directed by Phillip Noyce and based on Lois Lowry’s 1993 young adult novel of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Giver is a 2014 American dystopian drama film directed by Phillip Noyce. It is based on Lois Lowry’s 1993 young adult novel of the same name. The film follows Jonas, a young man selected to inherit stored memories in a society built on conformity and emotional suppression.

Plot

The story is set in a controlled community that appears peaceful but has eliminated pain, colour, and emotional depth through a system called Sameness. Jonas is selected to receive memories of the past and begins to question the society’s order.

Production

The film was directed by Phillip Noyce and adapted from Lois Lowry’s novel. Its cast includes several prominent actors, and the project had been in development for years before release.

Release and reception

The Giver premiered on August 11, 2014 and was released theatrically in the United States on August 15, 2014. It received mixed-to-positive attention and was nominated for a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic Movie.

Source novel

Lois Lowry’s novel, published in 1993, is a widely known dystopian young adult work. The film draws its central premise and characters from that book.

Key facts

  • The film is an adaptation of Lois Lowry’s 1993 novel The Giver.
  • It was directed by Phillip Noyce and premiered in 2014.
  • The story centres on Jonas, who is chosen to become the Receiver of Memory.
  • The film presents a society organized around sameness, conformity, and suppressed emotion.
  • The cast includes Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep in major roles.
🍁
Canadian context

No specific Canadian connection is established in the provided sources, beyond the film’s international recognition and availability to Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Giver?
The Giver is a 2014 American dystopian drama film based on Lois Lowry’s 1993 novel.
Who directed The Giver?
The film was directed by Phillip Noyce.
What is The Giver about?
It follows Jonas, a boy chosen to receive memories of the past in a society that suppresses pain, choice, and emotion.
Who stars in The Giver?
The cast includes Jeff Bridges, Brenton Thwaites, Odeya Rush, Meryl Streep, Alexander Skarsgård, Katie Holmes, Cameron Monaghan, Taylor Swift, and Emma Tremblay.
When was The Giver released?
It premiered on August 11, 2014 and opened in U.S. theatres on August 15, 2014.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Giver_(film)
    Supports: Director, cast, adaptation source, premiere date, theatrical release date, and award nomination.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Giver
    Supports: The 1993 novel by Lois Lowry, the story premise, and the relationship between the novel and film adaptation.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_giver
    Supports: Release date, runtime, genre, language, and rating.
  4. Metacritic — https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-giver/
    Supports: Film synopsis, director, and screenwriting credits.
  5. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-giver
    Supports: Plot summary, release timing, rating, and thematic description.