Metacritic Movie Ratings
V for Vendetta Reviews

A sample of reviews from critics across the country.

• 88

  out of 100

  USA TodayClaudia Puig

  Visually exhilarating, provocative and disturbing.

  Read full review

• 75

  out of 100

  Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman

  As a fix of pop iconography, V for Vendetta is eyeball grabbing, even if it lacks the relentless videogame bravura that sold the Matrix films. As a movie, however, it's merely okay, with a pivotal dramatic weakness: Evey, for all the attentions of her revolutionary Svengali, remains, in essence, a bystander, and Portman, her head shaved, plays her like Joan of Arc as a tremulous Girl Scout.

  Read full review

• 75

  out of 100

  Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert

  With most action thrillers based on graphic novels, we simply watch the sound and light show. V for Vendetta, directed by James McTeigue, almost always has something going on that is actually interesting, inviting us to decode the character and plot and apply the message where we will.

  Read full review

• 70

  out of 100

  The Hollywood Reporter

  Viewers expecting a thrill ride might be disappointed. V engages in a couple of satisfying crime-fighting set pieces, but the story is more occupied with mystery and intrigue. Happily, it almost is entirely free of the hollow pomposity that marred the Wachowskis' last two "Matrix" films.

  Read full review

• 50

  out of 100

  Los Angeles TimesCarina Chocano

  By the time you've gotten through it, you feel spent, loaded down and more than a little disoriented. Part of the problem is that the movie's big concepts - violence begets violence, absolute power corrupts absolutely, everything is connected, my terrorist is your freedom fighter, etc. - are pithy, brief and irrefutable enough to embroider on throw pillows.

  Read full review

• 50

  out of 100

  Variety

  Suffers from many of same problems as last two installments of producers Andy and Larry Wachowski's "Matrix" franchise: indigestible dialogue, pacing difficulties and too much pseudo-philosophical info.

  Read full review

• 40

  out of 100

  The New York TimesManohla Dargis

  The more valid question is how anyone who isn't 14 or under could possibly mistake a corporate bread-and-circus entertainment like this for something subversive. You want radical? Wait for the next Claire Denis film.

  Read full review

See all V for Vendetta movie reviews at Metacritic.com