82
Metascore
30 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittEnriched by allusions to biblical stories of fathers, sons, and sacrifices, subtly woven into the movie's moodily photographed fabric.
- 90The Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenThe Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenAt once a powerful psychological thriller and a haunting allegory, The Return marks an auspicious feature debut for helmer Andrey Zvyagintsev.
- 88New York Daily NewsJami BernardNew York Daily NewsJami BernardA haunting, melancholy work.
- 88New York PostV.A. MusettoNew York PostV.A. MusettoVladimir Garin and Ivan Dobronravov are amazingly natural as the boys, and Konstantin Lavronenko impresses as the taciturn father.
- 80New York Magazine (Vulture)Peter RainerNew York Magazine (Vulture)Peter RainerThe hurt and rage flying back and forth have primal power, like Russian-flavored Eugene O'Neill. It's rare for a movie to work as effectively as this one does on such parallel tracks.
- 80VarietyDeborah YoungVarietyDeborah YoungConstructed like an eerie, metaphorical thriller, this tense, riveting character study offers viewers nearly two hours of emotions with a stunning pay-off no one will be expecting.
- 70Village VoiceJ. HobermanVillage VoiceJ. HobermanPrimordial and laconic, this remarkably assured debut feature has the elegant simplicity of its title.
- 60Film ThreatFilm ThreatWith exceptional performances and extraordinary imagery, Zvyagintsev has fashioned a remarkable first feature.
- 50The New RepublicStanley KauffmannThe New RepublicStanley KauffmannStill, it never quite realizes the oneiric quality because, paradoxically, of its best achievement--the performances of the two boys. They are vital, insistent. Their beings contradict the dreaminess and make us ask the questions mentioned above.