American Assassin
Lionsgate | Release Date: September 15, 2017 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
45
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
16
Negative:
6
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
Los Angeles TimesKenneth TuranSep 14, 2017
American Assassin is a serviceable, workman-like thriller that makes the familiar as involving as its going to get. It demonstrates that even Jason Bourne lite is better than no Bourne at all, if you're in the mood. Read full review
60
The New York TimesA.O. ScottSep 14, 2017
The movie, directed by Michael Cuesta from a script by a team of blue-chip writers (Stephen Schiff and Michael Finch are credited, along with Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz), shows more skill than personality. Read full review
60
Total FilmJames MottramSep 12, 2017
From the generic title to the formulaic plot (stolen plutonium, highest bidder etc.), you can imagine the rest. But director Michael Cuesta (Kill the Messenger) injects vitality where it’s needed. Read full review
58
The A.V. ClubKatie RifeSep 14, 2017
It’s paper-thin, predictable, and goofy as hell, but if you can get past the whole “pro-military propaganda” thing, it’s pretty fun in the moment. Read full review
58
IndieWireJamie RighettiSep 13, 2017
In American Assassin, the violence is surprising and brutal. However, its impact is stymied by a predictable script and action sequences that feel like a watered-down version of “John Wick.” Read full review
50
Entertainment WeeklyDevan CogganSep 17, 2017
As Hurley and Rapp race against the terrorists, the plot is too dumb to be taken seriously and too self-serious to be any fun. Read full review
50
ReelViewsJames BerardinelliSep 17, 2017
The story is so obvious that a viewer could leave the theater for fifteen minutes and not be even a little lost upon his return. Read full review
50
Movie NationRoger MooreSep 15, 2017
American Assassin is a Big Action Beats formula thriller that overstays its welcome and never quite gels around its hunky young star, allowing Michael Keaton to steal the movie out from under him. Read full review
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperSep 14, 2017
Unwise casting choices in two key roles. Increasingly ludicrous plot developments — even for a slick, escapist thriller. Dubious science about the potency of a nuclear warhead. Intellectually lazy pop psychology, much of it heavy on the daddy issues, as character motivation. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChroniclePeter HartlaubSep 14, 2017
Cuesta’s direction is all blunt objects, like a doctor performing surgery with a plastic fork from Burger King. But he shines in the more testosterone-charged scenes, including the opening terrorist attack with its tracking shots above and below water. Read full review
50
New York Magazine (Vulture)Emily YoshidaSep 14, 2017
It gallops along quickly enough to keep us entertained, but not so quickly that we can’t see the seams of its creaky American Hero setup. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeTom RussoSep 13, 2017
Trouble is, the movie’s dopiness isn’t in fact something you can get past. “American Assasinine” is frequently more like it. Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenSep 20, 2017
Cinematographer Enrique Chediak (28 Weeks Later, The Good Girl) delivers crisp images, and the climactic underwater nuclear explosions are really something to behold. But director Michael Cuesta (Kill the Messenger, L.I.E.) adds little of notice to the proceedings. Read full review
40
Time Out LondonAnna SmithSep 15, 2017
This gets an extra point for an exciting action finale, but loses several for a hero who may try your patience well before then. Read full review
40
VarietyAmy NicholsonSep 13, 2017
O’Brien could grow into the role. He has an earnest, high voice — perhaps the reason he’s barely allowed to speak — and shines in the rare scenes where he gets to show personality, as do Keaton and Kitsch when they put down their guns.... It’d be more fun to watch the three actors swap war stories over beers than batter each other — especially when their worst enemy is the script’s coma-inducing machismo. Read full review
40
EmpireJonathan PileSep 13, 2017
An uneven thriller that would have been better served aiming for a lighter tone. Read full review
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