"McKellen...continues to be a powerhouse at 84-years-old."
— Abe Friedtanzer, Awards Watch
"Superb. A delicious thriller. A masterclass from Ian McKellen."
— The Daily Mail
"McKellen, who relishes another devious character to sink his teeth into, devouring every scene, a deliciously caustic turn."
— Benjamin Lee, Guardian
"With a script by Patrick Marber, Romola Garai and Lesley Manville in support, and one of Sir Ian’s juiciest roles since “Gods and Monsters” in 1998, it’s a class act all around."
— Ty Burr, Watch List
"Gemma Arterton and Ian McKellen star as adversaries forced to take desperate measures to save their careers, in this scintillating tale of ambition and deceit in the theatre world."
— TIFF
"This is the Ian McKellen show and he makes Jimmy simultaneously despicable, understandable and wholly entertaining. When he gets ahold of this part, there’s nothing a critic can do but nod in approval."
— Steve Pond, TheWrap
"The Critic feels like a shakespearean play. Under Tucker's direction and Patrick Marber's (Closer) poignant screenplay based on Anthony Quinn's novel, The Critic fully embraces its operatic tone without going overboard."
— Isabella Soares, Collider
"A wonderful prestige drama that should garner praise for Ian McKellan’s performance. Gemma Arterton is a stand-out as well, as she skillfully navigates how a stage actress tries to overcome personal demons and self-doubt."
— Simone Cromer, Film Threat
"Ian McKellen proves once again that he is truly the consummate actor. You can tell that he genuinely enjoys playing the delicious role, and he wants the audience to share in his excitement. The movie is wicked, clever, and delightfully entertaining."
— Michael Calleri, Niagara Gazette
