58
Metascore
29 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100The A.V. ClubTasha RobinsonThe A.V. ClubTasha RobinsonThe King's perception of religion is hardly friendly, but it's only one aspect of a terrific drama, one that ultimately admits that people can be as much of a terrifying mystery as their creator.
- 80EmpireDamon WiseEmpireDamon WiseA compelling, intelligent and provocative sins-of-the-father story with a terrific ensemble cast, and a standout Mr. Ripley turn by the ever-versatile Gael García Bernal.
- 75New York Daily NewsJack MathewsNew York Daily NewsJack MathewsSurely among the darkest-themed movies ever made.
- 70The Hollywood ReporterRay BennettThe Hollywood ReporterRay BennettBeautifully shot and well acted, the film might well cause controversy among fundamentalist believers as a provocative allegory challenging the power of faith.
- 70New York Magazine (Vulture)New York Magazine (Vulture)Has William Hurt ever been this perfectly cast? He uses his groggy self-importance to make the pastor the victim of evil and the very fount of it.
- 70Village VoiceMichael AtkinsonVillage VoiceMichael AtkinsonThe film survives on a thick diet of genuine acting moments...Probably no other actor (Hurt) standing today could've brought this much juice to such a potentially simplistic character.
- 63TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonaghTV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonaghWere there more meat on the bones of this fable about hypocrisy and spiritual hollowness, Marsh's pacing might seem deliberate rather then merely slow.
- 50The New York TimesManohla DargisThe New York TimesManohla DargisFitfully engaging, finally exasperating.
- 30VarietyTodd McCarthyVarietyTodd McCarthyThe story of a veritable devil who comes to test and destroy a family of faith, The King is a noxious film morally and an aggravating one dramatically.
- 25New York PostNew York PostThere is no tragedy without character, yet the way The King drapes heavy situations around its feebly imagined personalities suggests a tire thrown around the neck of a poodle.