84
Metascore
21 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100The New York TimesA.O. ScottThe New York TimesA.O. ScottEven though The Square depicts widely covered recent events, it still feels like a revelation. This is partly because of the immediacy of Ms. Noujaim’s approach, which often puts the viewer in the midst of chaos as it unfolds.
- 90The Hollywood ReporterJames GreenbergThe Hollywood ReporterJames GreenbergA riveting firsthand account of the Egyptian revolution presented with remarkable immediacy and filmmaking skill.
- 80VarietyJohn AndersonVarietyJohn AndersonThe Square is journalism, but Noujaim’s agenda is greater than mere reportage.
- 80New York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinNew York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinThe Square is inner-world-shaking.
- 80Time OutDavid FearTime OutDavid FearThe Square offers more than just pictures of a revolution; it lets you into the mind-set of those fighting for their future, and that makes all the difference.
- 80Village VoiceMichelle OrangeVillage VoiceMichelle Orange[A] powerful, exacting depiction of Egypt's struggle for meaningful change.
- 75Slant MagazineNick SchagerSlant MagazineNick SchagerA blistering portrait of rebellion against social discord, marginalization and oppression, and a call to arms for true democratic ideals of dignity, justice, and fairness.
- 75The A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloThe A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloThere’s a sense in which The Square feels incomplete, like the first part of a much longer effort. It’s hard to blame Noujaim for presenting it to the public now, but the decision to do so is primarily political, not artistic.
- 75NPRMark JenkinsNPRMark JenkinsThe director recut the movie several times as events overtook it. She may yet do so again — although if more major changes occur, they could merit beginning another documentary. As The Square makes clear, Noujaim would not hesitate to rush back into the fray.
- 70The DissolveTasha RobinsonThe DissolveTasha RobinsonIt catches, in the most authentic and democratic way possible, a collection of people who’ve developed a strong taste for revolution, but are still trying to figure out what to do with it.