Metacritic Movie Ratings
The Ghost Writer Reviews

A sample of reviews from critics across the country.

• 100

  out of 100

  Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan

  The Ghost Writer is the kind of impeccable adult entertainment, able to alternate edge-of-your-seat episodes with bleakly comic moments, that Hitchcock used to specialize in and that Polanski himself realized so successfully in "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby."

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• 100

  out of 100

  Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert

  This movie is the work of a man who knows how to direct a thriller. Smooth, calm, confident, it builds suspense instead of depending on shock and action.

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• 83

  out of 100

  Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum

  Satisfying, melancholy political suspense story.

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• 80

  out of 100

  The New York TimesManohla Dargis

  Mr. Polanski's work with his performers is consistently subtle even when the performances seem anything but, which is true of this very fine film from welcome start to finish.

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• 75

  out of 100

  USA TodayClaudia Puig

  Marked by clever twists and turns, the story unfolds at just the right pace. The dialogue -- adapted by Polanski and British writer Robert Harris from Harris' novel The Ghost-- is incisive and interspersed with wit.

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• 60

  out of 100

  The Hollywood ReporterKirk Honeycutt

  This is a slicker, shallower exercise. It's hypnotic as it unfolds, but once the credit roll frees you from its grip, it doesn't bear close scrutiny.

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• 50

  out of 100

  VarietyDerek Elley

  What the picture most needed was a complete cinematic rethink and, yes, even some action to move it along.

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See all The Ghost Writer movie reviews at Metacritic.com