Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Negative: 1 out of 9
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Critic Reviews

  1. Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Oct 17, 2016
    83
    As the cliche goes, you may think you know the story, but this telling is ­utterly compelling, with some terrific performances and a balanced, compassionate look at not only President Reagan (Tim Matheson, “The West Wing”) and first lady Nancy (Cynthia Nixon, “Sex and the City”) but of the would-be killer, John Hinckley Jr. (Kyle More, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) and his family.
  2. Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Oct 14, 2016
    70
    [The movie] does drag at the beginning and the end. The middle material, however, dramatizing the assassination attempt and its aftermath, is engrossing.
  3. Reviewed by: Daniel Fienberg
    Oct 17, 2016
    50
    The love between Ronald and Nancy is probably the only thing you'll leave Killing Reagan sure of, which may not satisfy viewers looking for hagiography or iconoclasm, but also probably won't piss off viewers looking for hagiography or iconoclasm. These movies don't aim for passion.
  4. Reviewed by: Neil Genzlinger
    Oct 14, 2016
    50
    It’s a formulaic treatment that seems intent on not making waves.
  5. Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Oct 14, 2016
    50
    Killing Reagan is pretty much the expected, rote bio movie of the assassination attempt on President Reagan by John Hinckley Jr. (Kyle S. More).
  6. Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    Oct 17, 2016
    40
    A forgettable teleflick that feels bland and safe, dulling its appeal.
  7. Reviewed by: Rob Lowman
    Oct 17, 2016
    40
    There is nothing new in Killing Reagan from filmmaker Rod Lurie. ... Better to read a book--not O’Reilly’s--but a real history of the man’s life.
  8. Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Oct 13, 2016
    40
    Lurie's treatment replicating these events is too dutiful to be particularly galling -- or interesting. The division of time between Reagan and Hinckley also blunts the drama, giving the actors little means of registering beyond physical resemblance to their real-life counterparts.
  9. Reviewed by: Kristi Turnquist
    Oct 14, 2016
    30
    [Killing Reagan] feels rushed and incomplete, compressing this historic episode into a flat pancake of pointlessness.
User Score
2.2

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Negative: 3 out of 5
  1. Oct 25, 2016
    4
    Tim Matheson might be a good actor in Animal House, but it is so hard to picture him as Ronald Reagan. The actor who played John Hinckley wasTim Matheson might be a good actor in Animal House, but it is so hard to picture him as Ronald Reagan. The actor who played John Hinckley was more believable and, in my opinion, made this show bearable to watch. Full Review »