Share

Watch It

On DVD: Now | On Blu-ray: Now

Compliance Review

Movies.com Critics

3.5

Dave White Profile

Hold the disbelief. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    68

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 0

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    This nasty little bottom-feeder of a film is too condescending to be trusted, too manipulative to be believed, too turgid to be enjoyed, too shameless to be endured and, before and after everything else, too inept to make its misanthropic case.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    This is a well-made film, with plausible performances by all the leads, especially Ann Dowd.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Variety Justin Chang

    In taut, gripping and deeply disturbing fashion, writer-director Craig Zobel measures the depths to which rational individuals will sink to obey a self-anointed authority figure in Compliance.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter

    Likely to spur discussions about workplace safety, employee rights and broader awareness of sexual predation, Compliance is also a suspenseful psychological drama for viewers prepared to tolerate its extremes.

    Read Full Review

  • 88

    out of 100

    ReelViews James Berardinelli

    The truth can indeed be stranger than fiction and, in this case, were the story to have originated in the imagination of the screenwriter, it could rightfully be criticized as artificial and contrived. But, disturbing and unlikely as it may be, this stuff actually happened, and pretty much as Craig Zobel relates it.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    The New York Times Jeannette Catsoulis

    A slow-motion punch to the groin. As such, it's fitting that one of our first sights is a large "NO" stenciled in the parking lot of a fast-food joint in suburban Ohio: as the film progresses, the word becomes a silent mantra for viewers who can't quite believe what they're seeing.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times

    With its harrowing restraint, Compliance is potent filmmaking that's not easily forgotten.

    Read Full Review

  • 91

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    With a slow, relentless buildup focused on sexual humiliation, Compliance intensifies the "requests" put on Sandra, and eventually other employees, to behave immorally in the name of cooperation.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Compliance reviews at Metacritic.com

Fan Reviews provided by

1

Don't go! by mjlilo
I was intrigued by the trailer and expected a psychological thriller (or a at least a decent character development with a decent story). However, the smartest part of this movie was when 10-15 people walked out of the theatre saying out loud that they 'couldn't take it any longer'. Save an hour and half of your life by catching another film!

4

You will want to close your eyes - but can't! by hmilgrom
This is a very, very difficult film to watch. I knew the plot prior to seeing it, and was curious about the story. It's based on an actual event that occurred at a McDonald's in Kentucky in 2004. (The victim was later awarded $6.1mm in damages). It's a very tense 100 minutes; the acting is very realistic - it almost feels as if you are watching a documentary. It's hard to fathom that during the 3-hour ordeal, only 1 person had the courage to say "no", which helped to end the poor girl's ordeal. You may be tempted to walk out; it's that frustrating - but see it through. There's an interview at the end which sheds some light on the whole incident and the aspects of human behavior that allowed it to happen.

5

A surprisingly fresh thriller that's as original as it is creepy by pedsarq
A caller who identifies himself as a police officer convinces some simple people who work at a fast food place to perform questionable acts on a beautiful you woman who works there. This movie was a complete surprise to me and I would recommend it to anyone who likes mystery, horror, and thrillers. It's light on effects, but is full of convincing and great performances that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Advertisement