Tolkien
Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: May 10, 2019 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
48
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 37 Critic Reviews
Positive:
9
Mixed:
25
Negative:
3
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Entertainment WeeklyChris NashawatyMay 3, 2019
Hoult brings a quiet, romantic intensity to the young Tolkien (pronounced ‘Tolkeen’, who knew?), Lily Collins does a lot with a little as his first love Edith, and the Hobbit horde will gobble up all of the easter-egg references peppered throughout the movie. Read full review
70
Film ThreatAlan NgMay 10, 2019
As far as its storytelling, it’s good but rarely rises to the level of inspiring. Fans of Tolkien are going to find a nice, comfortable place in this film, but walk away feeling like they could have dug deeper into this life. Read full review
70
IGNRosie KnightMay 3, 2019
Tolkien may disappoint fans looking for a LOTR origin but will please those who like stories of art, love & friendship. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterTodd McCarthyMay 3, 2019
Handsomely made in the customarily fastidious style of most period biographical dramas, Tolkien is strongly served by Hoult, who, after four X-Men outings (and a supporting role in last year's The Favourite), demonstrates that it's high time he moved on from that sort of thing to more interesting and challenging dramatic characterizations. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleJosh KupeckiMay 8, 2019
The performances are wonderful, especially Hoult and Collins, who exude a charming chemistry, and fans of both the books and the films will find pleasure in this look at the early life of the man whose work still influences artists to this day. Read full review
63
ReelViewsJames BerardinelliMay 13, 2019
More like the dramatization of an Encyclopedia Britannica entry than a fully rendered movie, Tolkien provides details about the fantasy author’s life and tries to explore his motivations and influences but loses sight of the character in the process. Read full review
63
RogerEbert.comSheila O'MalleyMay 10, 2019
As an origin story, Tolkien, has its moments of clarity and emotion. Some of it is oversimplified, even misguided. But the film cares about its subject, and cares about finding ways to portray "things that are good and days that are good to spend." Read full review
63
Philadelphia Daily NewsGary ThompsonMay 9, 2019
Yes, Tolkien is a little on-the-nose. But there is also an undeniable appeal to the life-art allusions that drive this earnest movie, which is handsomely mounted, well-cast, and well-acted. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeTy BurrMay 8, 2019
Tolkien gives us the passing of a vanished England and the loss of a generation but not quite enough about what was won, by him for us, nor the mystery of how he won it. Read full review
More From This Movie

48 Critic Reviews

5.8 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 71 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL