The moral question that lingers behind this film's every scene is the debatable idea of nature vs nurture, and just how responsible a mother can be in a moment like this. With the fault of the accident caused by Kevin (the teenage son of a mother named Eva) not being delivered in one clear answer, I suppose it is left open to interpretation. Lynne Ramsay gives us a chance to dive into this question through a hazy and hesitant narrative which unravels the upbringing of Kevin, in the format of a collection of memories unable to be repressed. Kevin, a troubled and mentally unstable child, acts as a curse placed upon his mother that can only grow worse. While no scene specifically villainises Eva or depicts her as the mastermind behind this dangerous boy, there is also no scene that suggests a way of prevention towards his actions, meaning momentary bad parenting could only fuel and eventually pile up.

The irony and meaning behind the film's title, We Need to Talk About Kevin, is that they did not talk about Kevin at all; the subject was ignored, as Eva - the only one aware of his unusual behavior - was the only one left undeservingly holding the blame, both in the lead up to and the aftermath. Through her depiction of inevitability and ignorance, Ramsay's underlying intention was to present how women are so often and so automatically handed the responsibility of male actions in situations alike. We Need to Talk About Kevin is layered with significance, but most importantly, it is 113 minutes of extremely gripping and engaging storytelling.