Gabriel
Oscilloscope Pictures | Release Date: June 19, 2015 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
67
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
4
Negative:
1
Watch Now
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
91
The PlaylistDrew TaylorJul 13, 2015
Gabriel often feels like a feat, for both writer/director Howe and Culkin. It's a movie that might not be easy to watch, but is well worth the effort. Read full review
83
IndieWireEric KohnJul 9, 2015
Gabriel never entirely compliments its eponymous subject with a story that can match his erratic mentality, but Howe's restrained approach is refreshingly unsentimental, never once creating the possibility of an easy resolution to the situation. Read full review
80
The GuardianJordan HoffmanJul 9, 2015
Howe’s film is drenched in empathy, where violent actions aren’t exactly excused, but at least framed with understanding. Read full review
80
New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierJun 18, 2015
Rory Culkin’s turn in the deeply felt and haunting Gabriel is so powerful you can’t look away. Read full review
80
The DissolveTasha RobinsonJun 18, 2015
Culkin’s terrifically effective performance and Howe’s pitch-perfect writing and directing make Gabriel the kind of insightful, empathetic project that makes cineastes feel good about feeling bad. Read full review
75
RogerEbert.comMatt Zoller SeitzJun 25, 2015
Gabriel isn't a perfect movie, but it's a great reminder of what movies can do, and used to do often, until American movies decided to concentrate mainly on spectacle and franchise building and leave characterization to TV. Read full review
75
The A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloJun 18, 2015
Gabriel, the first feature written and directed by Lou Howe, gives Culkin an opportunity to demonstrate serious range, and he takes full advantage; if this film doesn’t ignite his career, it’ll only be because too few people see it. Read full review
70
The New York TimesDaniel M. GoldJun 18, 2015
This film maintains its anxious themes throughout, which makes for some tedious stretches because the tension never breaks. Despite that, or maybe because of it, Gabriel is unexpectedly absorbing. Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesRobert AbeleJun 25, 2015
Culkin's performance is never exploitative. His eyes often say everything, appearing simultaneously laser-focused and distant — he can't reconcile his brain with the world. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyJun 19, 2015
The intense, uncomfortable drama’s downbeat nature is offset to a degree by the sensitivity of its observation, but the film serves primarily as a showcase for the emotionally raw lead performance of Rory Culkin. Read full review
60
VarietyRonnie ScheibJun 19, 2015
An admirable if downbeat character study, Gabriel still sinks into a psychological quagmire. Read full review
50
Movie NationRoger MooreJun 16, 2015
A moody, intimate character study filmed and performed in shades of grey. Read full review
38
Slant MagazineClayton DillardJun 13, 2015
The film wants to reveal the anguish of mental illness and infiltrate the mind of its protagonist through constant affirmation of his pain. Read full review
More From This Movie

67 Critic Reviews

7.8 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL