Metacritic Movie Ratings
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple Reviews

A sample of reviews from critics across the country.

• 90

  out of 100

  Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan

  This calm and thorough film has just the right attitude and tone to deal with a most incendiary story.

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• 80

  out of 100

  The New York TimesStephen Holden

  As this powerful, minutely documented film reveals, the tragedy wasn't caused by the failure of the Peoples Temple to realize its goals. In many ways, it was succeeding as a self-sufficient community.

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• 80

  out of 100

  The Hollywood ReporterSheri Linden

  Through interviews with Jonestown survivors and rare footage of Jones himself, this sober documentary presents an unforgettable historical portrait.

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• 70

  out of 100

  VarietyRonnie Scheib

  PBS-bound docu constitutes a revealing look at a poorly understood chapter in American history.

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• 58

  out of 100

  Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman

  The Peoples Temple congregation was sizably African-American. But when it comes to how those followers turned into a zombie Kool-Aid death cult, Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple leaves you with more questions than you went in with.

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