Shelter (2014)
A raw and tender love story set on the streets of New York City, where two homeless souls find each other against all odds.
Shelter - Movie Information
- Original Title: Shelter
- Release Year: 2014
- Directed by: Paul Bettany
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 45m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 12, 2014 (Canada - 18A), November 13, 2015 (United States), September 30, 2015 (United Kingdom - 18)
- Alternative Titles: Viver Sem Endereço (BR), Shelter - Auf den Straßen von New York (DE)
- Production Companies: The Bridge Finance Company, Bifrost Pictures, Voltage Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Shelter - Plot
Hannah and Tahir fall in love while homeless on the streets of New York. Shelter explores how they got there, and as we learn about their pasts we realize they need each other to build a future.
Shelter - Trailer
See the story of Hannah and Tahir unfold in the official trailer below.
Where to Watch Shelter
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Shelter - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Paul Bettany
Main Cast
- Jennifer Connelly
- Anthony Mackie
- Amy Hargreaves
- Bruce Altman
- Andrew Polk
- Paul Urcioli
- Teddy Cañez
- Scott Johnsen
- Rob Morgan
- Kevin Geer
Writers
- Paul Bettany
Producers
- Daniel Wagner
- Katie Mustard
- Robert Ogden Barnum
- Paul Bettany
Shelter - FAQs
What is Shelter (2014) about?
Shelter follows Hannah and Tahir, two homeless individuals who find love on the streets of New York City. As their relationship deepens, the film peels back their pasts — a Nigerian immigrant and a struggling American woman — revealing the heartbreak and circumstance that brought each of them there.
Is Shelter worth watching?
If raw, emotionally honest drama is your thing, Shelter delivers. Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Mackie give deeply committed performances, and Paul Bettany's directorial debut is praised for its unflinching look at homelessness and human connection. It's a quiet, affecting film that lingers long after the credits roll.
Where can you stream or watch Shelter (2014)?
You can catch Shelter on several platforms. It's available free on The CW, Plex, Plex Channel, and Fawesome, with ad-supported viewing on The Roku Channel and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Is Shelter based on a true story?
Shelter is not based on a specific true story, but writer-director Paul Bettany drew on real research into homelessness in New York City. The film reflects genuine social realities — immigration struggles, addiction, and the circumstances that push people onto the streets — giving it a grounded, documentary-like authenticity.
Who are the lead actors in Shelter?
Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Mackie lead the film as Hannah and Tahir. Connelly plays a homeless American woman battling addiction, while Mackie portrays a Nigerian immigrant living on the streets. Both actors deliver raw, physically committed performances that anchor the film's emotional weight.
Is Shelter Paul Bettany's directorial debut?
Yes, Shelter marks Paul Bettany's feature directorial debut. Best known as an actor, Bettany also wrote the screenplay. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2014, earning attention for its bold subject matter and the strength of its lead performances.
Where was Shelter (2014) filmed?
Shelter was filmed on location in New York City, primarily in Manhattan. The production embraced the city's real streets, underpasses, and urban environments to lend the story an authentic, lived-in texture — placing Hannah and Tahir's struggle directly within the landscape of one of the world's most recognizable cities.
What themes does Shelter (2014) explore?
Shelter digs into homelessness, immigration, addiction, and the redemptive power of human connection. It examines how ordinary people end up on the streets through personal tragedy and systemic failure, while centering a love story that offers both characters — and the audience — a fragile but genuine sense of hope.
More About Shelter
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