Emelie
Dark Sky Films | Release Date: March 4, 2016 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
62
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews
Positive:
9
Mixed:
4
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
CineVueMartyn ConterioMar 2, 2016
For much of its brisk eighty-two minutes running time, Emelie (2015) is a devilishly good thriller of notably transgressive bent, giving the slasher and home invasion formats a rare matriarchal focus. Read full review
75
The Film StageJared MobarakMar 10, 2016
Its best moments come from Bolger and Rush’s dynamic. What begins with inappropriate thoughts moves to a battle of wills and smarts. Read full review
70
VarietyGuy LodgeMar 3, 2016
This potentially lurid material is lent considerable ballast and believability by the excellent work of its trio of child actors. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesMichael RechtshaffenMar 3, 2016
Irish actress Bolger plays her psychopath with cool, calculating intimidation, while first-time feature director Michael Thelin, sharing screenplay credit with Rich Herbeck, lays a solid foundation of suburban domesticity on which to build all the mounting menace. Read full review
70
Village VoiceAbbey BenderMar 2, 2016
Emelie does create a menacing atmosphere and provide an interesting response to the "Final Girl" model that has long been the horror standard. Read full review
67
The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayMar 3, 2016
The rest of Emelie doesn’t live up to its peaks, through no fault of star Sarah Bolger, who makes a memorable villain. Read full review
63
Movie NationRoger MooreAug 14, 2018
A jarring, jolting entry in the “Hand that Rocks the Cradle” genre, a too-obvious thriller that still lands a sucker punch or three. Read full review
63
RogerEbert.comGlenn KennyMar 4, 2016
A tidy and nasty and often effective thriller that doesn’t quite blossom into full horror. Read full review
63
New York PostSara StewartMar 2, 2016
The film begins by telegraphing impending doom (and wraps up, underwhelmingly, with thriller clichés). Read full review
60
The New York TimesManohla DargisMar 3, 2016
Working from Richard Raymond Harry Herbeck’s script, Mr. Thelin plays with genre clichés without upending them, and the results are more creepy than scary. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckMar 2, 2016
Delivering some genuinely creepy slow-burn moments before devolving into baroque excess, Emelie delivers a nasty twist on an all-too-common scenario. Read full review
58
Entertainment WeeklyAriana BacleMar 3, 2016
Those scenes do allow star Sarah Bolger to showcase her range as a babysitter gradually transforming from sweet to sinister. Read full review
50
The PlaylistSamantha VaccaMar 8, 2016
A low-budget, slow-burning film, Thelin and cinematographer Luca Del Puppo develop a relatable universe that never really gets too frightening, but it certainly digs into your conscience, and will make you think twice before letting a stranger into your house. Read full review
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