Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America
Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: January 14, 2022 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
73
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
4
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Washington PostMichael O'SullivanFeb 2, 2022
The combined impact of these scenes, augmented with Robinson’s lecture — which, while deeply informed and informative, is anything but dull or academic — makes for a powerful one-two punch. Read full review
100
RogerEbert.comMatt FagerholmJan 14, 2022
Robinson is matter-of-fact, thoughtful and enormously compelling in illustrating hidden chapters of our shared history. Read full review
91
TheWrapRonda Racha PenriceJan 13, 2022
Arriving at a time when conversations once reserved for academics have filtered into popular culture, “Who We Are” never plays like the product of some Hollywood bandwagon effort. Instead, its existence speaks to the power of cinema to reflect the times by sparking conversations and changing minds. Read full review
90
The New York TimesBen KenigsbergJan 13, 2022
It’s a confrontational film, but never an alienating one, and so much of what’s in it is persuasive. Read full review
89
Austin ChronicleMichael KingFeb 3, 2022
The simplest thing to say about Who We Are is that it should be part of the standard curriculum in every school in America. Read full review
88
The Associated PressJocelyn NoveckJan 13, 2022
If the format of a lecture is inherently limiting, the directors do a superb job of weaving a compelling visual — and emotional — experience. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesRobert DanielsJan 13, 2022
Who We Are, a revelatory, albeit stiff documentary, anchored by Robinson’s personal anecdotes and footage of his 2018 lecture at New York City’s Town Hall Theater, uncovers startling research while surveying the country’s unimaginable racial crimes. Read full review
75
Movie NationRoger MooreFeb 23, 2022
Robinson’s purpose here is to cut through the lies, propaganda and rhetoric and look at what all those folks so anxious to ban and even burn books are trying to cover up. Read full review
60
Screen DailyFionnuala HalliganDec 13, 2022
Robinson is a precise, empathetic and informed speaker and a righteous man who, in sisters Emily and Sarah Kunstler’s documentary, is every teacher you might have ever wished for as a student, but who deserves a larger stage. Read full review
60
Wall Street JournalJoe MorgensternJan 13, 2022
What this film does best is offer, sometimes playfully and sometimes not, new perspectives on the central problem of our shared history. Read full review
40
The Hollywood ReporterInkoo KangFeb 19, 2024
Despite its moving conversations, Who We Are never transcends its lecture format. Read full review
40
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Sarah-Tai BlackFeb 8, 2022
While Robinson’s lecture is thought-provoking and his living tour of that same history is illuminating, the Kunstlers don’t add much in terms of directorial vision. Robinson is an apt orator and tour guide, but the literal translation of his lecture to screen lacks life and suffers from the inherent banality that comes with watching a recording of someone – no matter how charismatic – speaking to a live audience we are not part of. Read full review
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