They Call Us Monsters
Matson Films | Release Date: January 20, 2017 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
65
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews
Positive:
5
Mixed:
4
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
The Hollywood ReporterStephen FarberJan 19, 2017
There is no simple answer to the questions this film poses, but it makes us think about the complexities of an issue that has been muddied by tough-on-crime politicians. Read full review
90
Village VoiceApril WolfeJan 19, 2017
Yes, this film is important for its insistence that we see these boys as capable of rehabilitation in the right environment. But it’s the movie’s daring structure and humanity that make it worthy of the Lear name. Read full review
88
RogerEbert.comMatt FagerholmJan 20, 2017
There’s a considerable amount of catharsis in They Call Us Monsters, but it is bittersweet at best. Read full review
83
The PlaylistKatie WalshJan 19, 2017
They Call Us Monsters is restrained, sensitive and quietly heartbreaking. Read full review
70
The New York TimesBen KenigsbergJan 19, 2017
They Call Us Monsters doesn’t shy from the consequences of the violence the prisoners were accused of (we meet a paralyzed victim of a shooting), even as it suggests that the system...proceeds almost mechanically. Read full review
50
Washington PostMichael O'SullivanFeb 2, 2017
Even if you agree with the film’s argument that teenagers shouldn’t be locked up for life when there are other ways to save them, “Monsters” doesn’t offer a convincing argument that a screenwriting class is that lifeline. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleG. Allen JohnsonJan 26, 2017
The documentary They Call Us Monsters tries, and mostly succeeds, at putting a human face on teenage criminals facing life in prison. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesRobert AbeleJan 26, 2017
There’s little doubt prison reform needs to address the severe effects of locking up kids for life, but They Call Us Monsters feels like a well-meaning skim rather than an impassioned, expertly reasoned plea for mercy. Read full review
50
VarietyNick SchagerJan 21, 2017
They Call Us Monsters, alas, is so taken with its access to kids facing such legal circumstances that it forgets to form a compelling argument about them. Read full review
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