"[A] whip-smart, nimble satire."
— Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com
"[American Fiction] feels thrillingly fresh and new."
— Max Weiss, Baltimore Magazine
"A triumphant satire about race, exploitation, family and identity that’s as rich and captivating as [Wright's] tour-de-force."
— Nick Schager, The Daily Beast
"American Fiction is a hybrid of rich family drama and sharp satire, hilarious but never silly, emotional but never manipulative."
— Jordan Hoffman, The Messenger
"An unflinching and seriously funny examination of how the alchemy of race operates throughout the USA’s culture industry."
— Jonathan W. Gray, The New Republic
"It’s an extremely funny movie that lands some sharp blows, and a stellar feature debut from seasoned TV writer Cord Jefferson."
— Alissa Wilkinson, Vox
"The most impactful message American Fiction delivers is about personal agency in a world that often seeks to define the stories of others."
— Valerie Complex, Deadline Hollywood Daily
"Both a family dramedy and a sharp take on publishing’s failures, American Fiction also reflects the concerns of a microcosm of Black artists working in Hollywood."
— Thelma Adams, AARP Movies for Grownups
"When you watch Wright feel out the contours and add several dozen notes of grace to the misanthropic Monk... you truly understand why few screen performers can match him."
— David Fear, Rolling Stone
"American Fiction is the best kind of satire – one that is full-throated in its message, which it delivers with a cutting edge, while simultaneously taking the time to develop the characters in a meaningful way."
— James Berardinelli, ReelViews
"Wright, so often a strong supporting player... is magnetic in the lead role: commanding, flawed, vulnerable, relatable. American Fiction is his movie, and will likely (and deservedly) land him his first Oscar nomination."
— Adam Graham, Detroit News
"Smart, meaty, and funnier than expected for a film juggling weighty relationship drama with the philosophical conundrums running through Monk’s head, American Fiction is a dramedy with a refreshing point of view."
— Shirley Li, The Atlantic
"The film is immensely watchable, staged without flash or pretention, that relies on its sharp script and talented and charismatic actors to carry the audience through. Wright is particularly delightful at the center of it all."
— Lindsey Bahr, Associated Press
"Satire is a rare commodity and always has been, but Cord Jefferson’s debut film 'American Fiction' has restored my faith in its survival. What’s more, it offers the gifted Jeffrey Wright an exceptional leading role that he plays to perfection."
— Leonard Maltin, leonardmaltin.com
"In Jefferson’s timely and sharp and subversively funny American Fiction Wright is accorded the relatively rare opportunity to take the lead, and he delivers a richly layered performance that reminds us he’s one of the best actors of his generation."
— Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times
"A biting satire of just about every aspect of American life, especially academia, publishing, and racism and a heartfelt story about family connections...It is provocative, funny, and searingly smart. In my opinion, it is the best film of the year."
— Nell Minow, Movie Mom
"Cord Jefferson’s slashingly funny satire of Black literary stereotyping is one of the best and boldest American comedies in years with a dynamite performance by an Oscar-ready Jeffrey Wright. You won't look at race on screen in the same way again."
— Peter Travers, ABC News
