The Idol
Adopt Films | Release Date: May 27, 2016 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
66
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews
Positive:
11
Mixed:
7
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
San Francisco ChronicleDavid LewisOct 18, 2016
The Idol, a feel-good film about a Palestinian boy’s improbable ascent to pop stardom, takes place mostly in Gaza, a place not associated with feeling good. But out of the war rubble emerges one of the most irresistible movies of the year. Read full review
80
SalonAndrew O'HehirOct 18, 2016
Assaf’s pop-culture transcendence was a coming-of-age moment for Palestinians, a sign that they could triumph in the most delicious, delightful and unlikely of contexts, despite a broken society built on institutional hopelessness. Abu-Assad’s films make the same point, in a darker register. Read full review
80
Screen DailyTim GriersonMar 11, 2016
If in the past Abu-Assad’s movies could be criticised for stridency, The Idol finds him sacrificing none of his thematic drive while locating a more humanistic, inspirational tone. Read full review
80
VarietyJustin ChangMar 11, 2016
The movie largely benefits from Abu-Assad’s natural talent for building suspense and rhythm; if the story’s elisions and fabrications occasionally feel too tidy, it more than earns its emotional impact on the strength of its excellent young cast. Read full review
80
CineVueBen NicholsonMar 11, 2016
As this is only inspired by the real events, there are perhaps one too many threads neatly tied into a bow, but all of them work in concert with the main event. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerTirdad DerakhshaniMay 27, 2016
While its rather formulaic second half relies on clichés about underdogs' triumphing against the odds, The Idol opens with a terrific look at Assaf's childhood that has the feel of "Stand By Me." Read full review
70
The New York TimesNicolas RapoldMay 26, 2016
Mr. Abu-Assad’s pop filmmaking is resolutely simple in its approach and efficiently sentimental. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterLeslie FelperinMar 11, 2016
The director and his regular editor Eyas Salman notch up the tension by beautiful degrees as Mohammed overcomes each obstacle with ingenuity, charm and, hokey but true, sheer singing skill. Read full review
67
The PlaylistKimber MyersJun 1, 2016
For all its safe choices and standard narrative, The Idol succeeds in communicating its message that the Palestinian people deserve a voice and representation. Its most powerful images somehow aren’t shots of Muhammad’s wonderful singing; instead, it’s the reactions of the Palestinians to those performances and cheering on one of their own. Read full review
63
Washington PostAnn HornadayJun 2, 2016
Like its protagonist, The Idol finds a sense of identity, hope and pride within a landscape of grim dispossession and fatalism. Read full review
63
Slant MagazineMatt BrennanMay 2, 2016
The film's clichés ultimately contain both too little conviction and too little complication, their inspirational messages more imagined than real. Read full review
60
Time Out LondonTom HuddlestonAug 9, 2016
If you’re a fan of the classic streets-to-stardom formula, this is a solid rendition. Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesSheri LindenMay 26, 2016
The rare feature to be shot on location in Gaza, The Idol offers implicit commentary on everyday deprivations and work-arounds. Yet the screenplay stumbles when it plants self-conscious observations in the mouths of characters of all ages. Read full review
60
Village VoiceBilge EbiriMay 25, 2016
Unfortunately, as Mohammed approaches his goal, Abu-Assad goes all in on archival footage.... That backfires. Read full review
58
The Film StageEthan VestbyJun 1, 2016
Just how seemingly uncomfortable the film feels in truly inhabiting the musical and inspirational biopic genres is tipped off by the often desolate images. Read full review
58
The A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloMay 23, 2016
There’s a fascinating story here, but the movie never gets out of its own way long enough to tell it. Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comChristy LemireMay 27, 2016
It’s all inspiring stuff, to be sure—and often so dramatic that it’s hard to imagine it really could have happened, even though it did. Read full review
50
Austin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenMay 25, 2016
Often impeded by ham-fisted, inspirational dialogue, The Idol is not likely to earn Assaf more worldwide admirers, but for those who are already in his fan club, this film will be received like a bonus gift. Read full review
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