Brandon (Michael Fassbender) is a young successful thirty-something living comfortably in his apartment in New York. As a distraction from day-to-day cubicle life, he seduces women, juggling a string of doomed romances and one-night stands.

The tightly controlled rhythm of Brandon's life begins to collapse, however, when his wayward, unruly sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) arrives for an unannounced visit. Her disruptive presence in his life propels Brandon further into New York's dark underbelly as he tries to escape her need for connection and the memories she stands for.

Shame, directed by Steve McQueen, is a compelling and timely examination of the nature of need, how we live our lives and the experiences that shape us.

Watch the trailer below:

Shame releases in South Africa on 11 May.

The film stars Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan and is directed by Steve McQueen. It carries an age restriction of 18LSN