Sumner Forbes

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Film Threat
For 55 reviews, this critic has graded:
  • 70% higher than the average critic
  • 3% same as the average critic
  • 27% lower than the average critic
On average, this critic grades 11 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)

Sumner Forbes' Scores

  • Movies
  • TV
Average review score: 77
Highest review score: 95 Murina
Lowest review score: 50 All Jacked Up and Full of Worms
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 55
  3. Negative: 0 out of 55
55 movie reviews
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    • 84 Metascore
    • 95 Sumner Forbes
    Seagrass
    What starts as a standard marriage drama becomes infused with dread and building tension. It’s never easy to pinpoint the root cause, though it goes well beyond the usual verbal conflicts one sees in standard dramas. As the story progresses toward its tempestuous conclusion, one gets Bergman-esque vibes mixed with modern sensibilities. It’s truly a singular experience.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 95 Sumner Forbes
    Return to Dust
    The heart of Return to Dust is centered on the married couple’s efforts to construct a new home by hand. It’s grueling work, but through Li’s stunning visuals and mastery of pacing, we become engrossed by the details not only of the labor but by their burgeoning love.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 95 Sumner Forbes
    Murina
    Kusijanovic’s feature-length debut is nothing short of revelatory. Murina is the perfect summer film. Beautiful scenery, nuanced performances, and canny filmmaking provide one of the most memorable coming-of-age stories of the 2020s so far.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 95 Sumner Forbes
    On the Adamant
    In a perfect world, Philibert’s film will serve as a wake-up call for reconfiguring how we approach the treatment of mental illness on a global level.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 95 Sumner Forbes
    Passages
    Filled with affecting intimacy and some of the best (and essential) sex scenes in recent memory, Passages is one of Sachs’ absolute best films and further solidifies the exemplary status of the three lead performers—an essential 2023 film.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 95 Sumner Forbes
    Armageddon Time
    It’s the rare work that confronts the uncomfortable truths of the world – namely that life is far from fair, and no individual can achieve success without the support of others who may not be dealt a great hand in life.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 90 Sumner Forbes
    Scarlet
    For those following the career trajectory of Pietro Marcello, the feature works as another example of a nuanced filmmaker delivering a surprisingly different kind of cinematic experience. At its core, this is a memorable portrait of a father-daughter relationship and the power of dreams above all.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 90 Sumner Forbes
    Silver Haze
    It’s not often that we get such a fresh and intimate story of love and revenge.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 90 Sumner Forbes
    Smile
    The double-edged sword with Smile and its popularity means there may be a sell-by date after which many of the harrowing sequences become subsumed into popular culture and will no longer feel fresh upon initial viewing. This isn’t the film’s fault, but such is often the case when the public gets a hold of a work of art. See it with a crowd, and see it soon.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Sumner Forbes
    Astrakan
    The conclusion of Astrakan is a riveting, almost revelatory experience that is vastly different from anything seen prior. It may be hard to digest for some, but it adds additional layers to the motion picture and colors the events in a completely new light.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Sumner Forbes
    Blue Jean
    The framing, editing, and overall rhythm of the story brim with intelligence. When coupled with a star-making performance from McEwen, we have what should be a new LGBTQIA+ classic drama.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 85 Sumner Forbes
    The Becomers
    The Becomers may not have the largest budget, but it has the largest heart.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 85 Sumner Forbes
    Remembering Every Night
    Remembering Every Night is an ethereal experience that shouldn’t be missed. It reminds viewers that cinema is a visual art first and foremost and that the composition of the frame and movements within it often speak much louder than words ever can.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 85 Sumner Forbes
    Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle
    This is essential viewing for anyone with a modicum of interest in WWII history. For the odd individuals that don’t have any interest, this is still well worth a watch because of the powerful character study at play.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Sumner Forbes
    Chicken for Linda!
    Kids will get a kick out of it (provided they’re old enough to read subtitles), and adults (parents, especially) will embrace the detail that goes into portraying the complexities of parenthood that are often glossed over by many.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Sumner Forbes
    Double Down South
    This is a hidden gem, one that we shouldn’t sleep on.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 85 Sumner Forbes
    All Eyes Off Me
    Throughout Hadas Ben Aroya’s All Eyes Off Me, we’re privy to a level of intimacy not often seen.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 85 Sumner Forbes
    I Used to Be Funny
    It’s blend of emotional realism, a fantastic lead performance, and exacting direction from Pankiw (a filmmaker making the transition from television with aplomb) make for one of the essential movies of the season.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Sumner Forbes
    Bloom Up: A Swinger Couple Story
    This is a poignant examination of the many forms of love. Even if one isn’t totally on board with the lifestyle at the center, it makes it hard not to wonder what that seemingly mild-mannered couple you know might be up to when the shades are drawn.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 85 Sumner Forbes
    The Devil's Bath
    The Devil’s Bath is one of the more memorable foreign horror movies in some time.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 85 Sumner Forbes
    Private Desert
    Couple the brilliant construction with the intense performances from Saboia and Fasanaro, and we have one of the more memorable foreign romance films in recent memory.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Sumner Forbes
    Acidman
    Rare is the film that refuses to moralize the actions of its characters, and boy, does this make Acidman refreshing.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 Sumner Forbes
    Master Gardener
    I’m not sure where Schrader’s career will take him after Master Gardener, but here’s hoping the next decade is as impressive as the current one.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Sumner Forbes
    Adieu Godard
    Adieu Godard is generally a blast. Cinephiles will love it because it should, without fail, bring to mind our own journeys into “challenging” cinema. Casual viewers not well-versed in the New Wave catalogue will still find plenty of enjoyment in the chaos that erupts as a result of the backlash against the film.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Sumner Forbes
    Scrapper
    There’s no doubt that Scrapper is a gem, and it features two of the most impressive debuts of the year in filmmaker Charlotte Regan and her star Lola Campbell.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Sumner Forbes
    The Pilgrim
    It’s impossible to escape the allusions to faith throughout the film. It may not be everyone’s bag, but Benson uses it in a relatively unobtrusive way that doesn’t seem like an exercise in proselytizing.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Sumner Forbes
    The Mother of All Lies
    Indeed, many professed aficionados of non-narrative cinema are averse to such formal adventurism, but with the right state of mind and their curiosity peaked, there’s no doubt that adventurous film-goers will find this to be one of the most striking documentaries of 2024.
    • 49 Metascore
    • 75 Sumner Forbes
    The Miracle Club
    This is an inspiring and emotional watch with one’s mom, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Sumner Forbes
    Monster
    Monster stands as middle-tier Kore-eda. It’s a touching tale about childhood and emotional development in a relatively rigid society. Still, it’s never anything more, nor does it push the boundaries of what we should expect from the seasoned filmmaker.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 75 Sumner Forbes
    Tiger Stripes
    Tiger Stripes is highly recommended for families looking for an off-the-beaten-path take on growing up. The body horror elements are never too terrifying, and I think even younger viewers can pick up on the feminist messaging.
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