Criminal
Warner Independent Pictures (WIP) | Release Date: September 10, 2004 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
61
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews
Positive:
20
Mixed:
15
Negative:
0
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
Village VoiceMark Holcomb
He (Jacobs) and cinematographer Chris Menges compose the film largely in close-ups, and the effect is appropriately unnerving. Regardless, unfavorable comparisons to "Nine Queens" are inevitable. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
Although Criminal retains its source material's cleverness and intricate plotting, something seems to have been lost in the translation. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
The filmmakers have lovingly retained and expanded on that film's only flaws, some implausible plot details. But even without the same cultural significance, it's still a good story, and the interesting cast. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
The remake is infinitely more entertaining if you haven't seen "Nine Queens" -- the details are different, but the surprises are the same and something of the first film's underlying darkness has been lost in translation. Read full review
60
EmpireAdam Smith
Apart from an irritating plot glitch this is a solidly entertaining ride, more than competently directed and played. Read full review
58
Seattle Post-IntelligencerPaula Nechak
The film is inherently calculated and cold, so smugly satisfied with itself and its surprise final trick that it seems to be running its own con to convince us the script's house of cards is actually substantial, original and slick. Read full review
50
Rolling StonePeter Travers
Here's the problem: The movie was made just four years ago by Argentinian director Fabian Bielinsky. It is called "Nine Queens," and it is vastly superior to this blah U.S. remake from director Gregory Jacobs. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
Without any glimmers of depth or subtext. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneSid Smith
Criminal is an exercise where viewers are likely to ponder not "How did the characters do it?" but "Who cares?" Read full review
50
Dallas ObserverBill Gallo
This plodding mediocrity displays none of the flair or the compelling trickery that enlivened its 2002 prototype. Read full review
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Effective at times, and Gyllenhaal shows a new side of her talent, but the main impression is of first-rate performers doing second-rate work. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleCarla Meyer
The problems lie not with the actors but with a glib approach that exposes the flaws of the original story. Read full review
50
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
In the end, coincidence undoes Criminal. Read full review
50
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
Criminal is happy to reprise Fabian Bielinsky's original note for note, and it's a listless, dutiful affair -- a cover version played out of obligation, not inspiration. Read full review
50
Film ThreatChristopher Zinsli
Can be fun. Just don’t think about it too hard. Read full review
More From This Movie

61 Critic Reviews

8.4 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 71 The Sheep Detectives
5 68 Crime 101
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL