The Brand New Testament
Music Box Films | Release Date: December 9, 2016 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
70
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
3
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
The Hollywood ReporterDeborah YoungDec 10, 2015
It is irresistibly laugh-out-loud and feel-good. Read full review
88
Washington PostMichael O'SullivanDec 15, 2016
For sheer inventiveness of story, language, visuals and theme, The Brand New Testament is, quite nearly, a divine comedy. Read full review
83
The Film StageRaffi AsdourianDec 4, 2016
What we have is ultimately a welcome satire for the modern age that’s no less funny than it is intelligent. Read full review
83
The PlaylistJessica KiangDec 10, 2015
Lovely to look at, charmingly played throughout, and with a sense of fun that is more playful than subversive, The Brand New Testament is a bouncy treat: not so much heresy as whimsy, with a smooth matte finish and a mischievous grin. Read full review
80
Total FilmKevin HarleyMar 30, 2017
Even the devout, surely, will warm to Dormael's alt-gospel: one of compassion, oddball fish gags and cheerier skylines. Read full review
80
The New York TimesStephen HoldenDec 8, 2016
Most of the humor is too lighthearted to offend all but the most reverent believers, and the movie’s inventiveness rarely flags. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesJustin ChangDec 8, 2016
Again and again, Van Dormael delights in finding romantic solutions to existential problems, in forging the kinds of topsy-turvy emotional connections between his characters that enable them to overcome their natural impulses toward suspicion, hostility and even violence. Read full review
80
Time Out LondonCath ClarkeDec 4, 2016
This is a film with a big heart and an even bigger imagination. Read full review
80
The GuardianJordan HoffmanDec 10, 2015
The Brand New Testament is a peppy, original and (importantly) very sweet story. Read full review
80
Screen DailyCharles GantDec 10, 2015
With the consistently playful, often delightful and frequently funny God fantasy The Brand New Testament, the Belgian auteur delivers his most substantially enjoyable film since 1991’s Toto The Hero. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleWalter AddiegoDec 15, 2016
This comic film from Belgium, in which God is shown as a cantankerous slob, is more mischievous than malevolent, likely to offend only the humor-impaired. Read full review
70
VarietyPeter DebrugeDec 10, 2015
While the ultra-clever first act stockpiles sufficient admiration from audiences to sustain the film, the bulk of The Brand New Testament concerns itself with Van Dormael’s most persistent preoccupation: the tug-of-war between fate and free will. Read full review
60
CineVueBen NicholsonDec 4, 2016
Striking a balance between the dark and combative religious humour and its more saccharine elements proves difficult. Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comGodfrey CheshireDec 9, 2016
Van Dormael’s film was pure torture from first to last, about as mirthless a comedy as I ever hope to see. Read full review
50
Village VoiceRen JenderDec 7, 2016
Testament is full of bad jokes (like a man repeatedly throwing himself from great heights to prove he won't die) and, in spite of Groyne's grave, determined presence as Ea, is borderline offensive. Read full review
38
Boston GlobePeter KeoughDec 15, 2016
Starting with a premise that a smart-aleck high school sophomore might take pride in, the film rallies late to make some points about patriarchy and female empowerment, but not before a barrage of clichés, tweeness, and inanity. Read full review
38
Slant MagazineDiego SemereneDec 6, 2016
At first, the film’s dark humor is amusing, only for it to wear off once an actual plot kicks into motion. Read full review
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