The Crime of the Century
HBO | Release Date: May 10, 2021
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
84
METASCORE
Universal acclaim based on 7 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
The Daily BeastNick SchagerMay 10, 2021
Season 1 Review: An evisceration of Big Pharma. ... With a level-headedness that makes its takedown all the more effective, Gibney’s film shines a spotlight on the evolution of Purdue and company’s treacherous conduct. Read full review
90
Wall Street JournalJohn AndersonMay 10, 2021
Season 1 Review: The cinema is as exhilarating as the journalism is exhaustive. Still, the style remains in service to the story. ... The opioid story in general isn’t new, but a lot of what Mr. Gibney offers is. Read full review
90
DeciderMeghan O'KeefeMay 6, 2021
Season 1 Review: Searing. ... Because Gibney is committed to showing the full scope of opioid-related sin, it’s hard to hang our anger on one singular party. Gibney’s most popular past documentaries left us understanding who the villains were and who the victims were. The lines get blurred when it comes to the opioid crisis in part because there are so many at fault and so many who have gotten hurt. Read full review
90
VarietyOwen GleibermanMay 3, 2021
Season 1 Review: Alex Gibney’s shattering two-part, four-hour HBO documentary “The Crime of the Century” makes devastatingly clear, the opioid crisis is more than a human tragedy that has claimed half a million lives. It’s part of what America has become. Read full review
83
The A.V. ClubSaloni GajjarMay 7, 2021
Season 1 Review: The documentary presents a data overload, but one that is still a statistical overview as opposed to a more in-depth look at the ramifications of the people who suffered. The Crime Of The Century isn’t able to paint a complete picture, but it’s still a powerful and edifying watch. Read full review
75
RogerEbert.comNick AllenMay 10, 2021
Season 1 Review: While the documentary has so much to share, it doesn't have the poignancy or poetry that helps such informed calls for attention to truly resonate. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterDaniel FienbergMay 10, 2021
Season 1 Review: There are original documents and revelations here, but they aren’t always presented in a way that lets you know what’s new and notable about them. ... The Crime of the Century is good instead of great. Read full review
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