Nil by Mouth (1997)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A dysfunctional working-class family in South East London is pushed to the brink by drug addiction and a man's violent, inherited temper.
The story
In a working-class part of South East London, Raymond lives with his wife Valerie, their daughter Michelle, and several extended family members. The household is plagued by instability: Billy, Raymond's brother-in-law, is a drug addict who frequently hangs out with heroin users. The family dynamic is further strained by Raymond's volatile temper and violent outbursts. When Valerie becomes pregnant again, her continued drinking and smoking add to the domestic tension. Conflict erupts when Billy uses Raymond's cocaine, leading to a violent confrontation that results in Billy being kicked out of the flat.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film depicts the lives of a dysfunctional working-class family in South East London. Raymond, a man with a fiery temper, lives with his wife Valerie, their daughter Michelle, and extended family including Billy, a drug addict. After Billy steals a family heirloom to fund his habit, Raymond throws him out. Tensions peak when Valerie goes out and Ray, in a jealous rage, brutalizes her, causing her to miscarry. She eventually leaves him to start a new life, but Ray later admits his behavior stems from his own abusive father. After a period of separation where Ray destroys their flat in an alcohol-fueled rage, the couple eventually reconciles. Ray fixes the flat, and while he remains crude, he restrains his outbursts. The family is reunited when Billy and his friend Danny are sent to prison for a robbery to support their drug habit, leading the whole family to visit them.
- First release year
- 1997
- Runtime (minutes)
- 128
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; France
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Gary Oldman
- Writers
- Gary Oldman · writer; Gary Oldman · producer; Gary Oldman · director
- Cast and characters
- Ray Winstone · Raymond ("Ray"); Kathy Burke · Valerie ("Val"); Charlie Creed-Miles · Billy; Laila Morse · Janet; Edna Doré · Kath; Chrissie Cotterill · Paula; Jon Morrison · Angus; Jamie Foreman · Mark
- Genres
- drama
- Themes
- domestic violence; drug addiction; generational trauma; poverty
- Tone and mood
- unflinching; observant; serious
- Premise and plot tags
- working-class; dysfunctional family; London; domestic abuse
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews, with praise for its unflinching portrait of street life and its performances. It was recognized by the British Film Institute and Time Out as a significant British film.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 76 · scale: 100 · review count: 20; Roger Ebert · score: 3.5 · scale: 4; The Guardian · score: 5 · scale: 5
- Awards and nominations
- Best British Film · BAFTA · win; Best Original Screenplay · BAFTA · win
- Production trivia
- The title is a UK medical instruction meaning 'nothing by mouth'.; It features the word 'cunt' 82 times, more than any other film in history.; The score was composed by Eric Clapton.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…