Good Grief
Netflix | Release Date: December 29, 2023 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
59
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
12
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
The Observer (UK)Wendy IdeJan 10, 2024
Levy, who also wrote the screenplay and stars in the picture, has made a satisfyingly adult, bittersweet drama which argues that even a seemingly gilded life can be painfully messy. Read full review
80
The New York TimesAlissa WilkinsonJan 4, 2024
Good Grief does that rare, beautiful thing: It trusts the audience to pay attention. Read full review
80
VarietyPeter DebrugeDec 29, 2023
Levy’s funny-sad contemporary drama acknowledges the supportive dynamic that Marc plays in Thomas and Sophie’s lives, even as it centers the gay best friend for a change — not so different from the one he played in “Happiest Season.” All three characters feel well rounded and real, especially in their imperfections. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperJan 3, 2024
Levy now takes his quadruple-threat skill set to feature-length film by directing, writing, producing and starring in the warm and lovely albeit formulaic weeper “Good Grief,” which is not the story of the adult Charlie Brown (rats!) but the tale of a man who turns to his best friends for solace in his time of great need. Read full review
71
Paste MagazineAurora AmidonJan 8, 2024
Good Grief is not a dramedy (even though it is marketed as one), but rather a somber film about the messiness of grief and its often unforgiving, even destructive, grip. Read full review
63
Movie NationRoger MooreJan 5, 2024
Good Grief is sober-minded, considered and almost sweet. Read full review
63
ObserverEmily ZemlerJan 4, 2024
It’s sappy at times, but so was Schitt’s Creek and the gentle sweetness of the film will likely appeal to a lot of viewers. Read full review
60
EmpireJohn NugentJan 8, 2024
It’s never quite as satisfying an experience as Schitt’s Creek — but thanks especially to a sparky trio of actors, Daniel Levy’s directorial debut is strong when it comes to the heartache of grief and the importance of friends. Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesRobert AbeleJan 8, 2024
Good Grief ultimately promises more than its starter kit of rom-com elements and good intentions can deliver. But within that inviting aura are a number of pleasures, starting with Levy’s homo-neurotic appeal as a cynically romantic gay lead. Read full review
60
Screen DailyNikki BaughanJan 5, 2024
The chemistry between these three is the film’s greatest strength, and Good Grief plays best as a love story between friends. Read full review
60
ColliderTaylor GatesJan 5, 2024
While it’s a cozy and enjoyable enough watch with decent performances, Good Grief is too middling to be memorable, sticking to an overly sentimental tone despite its best moments having more edge and bite to them. Read full review
60
The TelegraphTim RobeyDec 29, 2023
There’s something ever-so-chic, a touch too manicured about the film’s despondency, and only rare moments land to touch us, especially. But it’s a gentle, genial watch. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyDec 29, 2023
Daniel Levy has made a first feature that’s a glossy drama of love and loss and the restorative power of friendship. But it’s more earnest than affecting. Read full review
58
The PlaylistRodrigo PerezJan 2, 2024
Good Grief arguably doesn’t quite get there in the end, but there is a promising sense of possibility for what the future could hold for Levy as a filmmaker next. Read full review
50
IndieWireDavid EhrlichJan 16, 2024
A sensitive but almost fatally self-absorbed death drama that has much to say and little to feel. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleBrandon YuJan 4, 2024
While not offering anything particularly surprising or challenging in its take on the unpredictable shadow of loss, “Good Grief” delivers plenty of heart. Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comBrian TallericoDec 29, 2023
When this well-cast dramedy allows its characters to breathe and simply exist, it highlights Levy’s future strengths as a filmmaker, making it a promising launch for the Emmy winner into the film world, even as I hope he trusts his actors (and his audience) more in future projects. Read full review
40
The Irish TimesTara BradyJan 4, 2024
It doesn’t quite work. Actors as talented as Negga and Patel can’t enliven the “zany” auxiliary friend roles. Levy’s script, more damningly, can’t quite reconcile grief with the film’s romcom ambitions. A promising first film, nonetheless. Read full review
40
The GuardianPeter BradshawJan 3, 2024
There is a strenuous earnestness here, which is made to coexist with entirely artificial romcom dialogue of a kind not spoken by real human beings. Read full review
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