39
Metascore
24 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 83The PlaylistDrew TaylorThe PlaylistDrew TaylorOplev composes shots with grace and an understanding of where everything is geographically and how scenes relate to each other in the multi-threaded plot. Like everything else in Dead Man Down, his direction is beautiful and brutal at the same time. Whoever thought that this movie would be as entertaining as it is existential is either lying or psychic.
- 60New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierNew York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierBefore it devolves into typical American-style action, there’s an intriguing, European-style complexity to Dead Man Down.
- 60The Hollywood ReporterMichael RechtshaffenThe Hollywood ReporterMichael RechtshaffenMore of a character-etched mood piece than a tautly calibrated caper, Dead Man Down benefits from potent visuals and a compelling international cast that also includes lead Colin Farrell, Terrence Howard and Isabelle Huppert.
- 50Boston GlobeTy BurrBoston GlobeTy BurrBefore this urban revenge melodrama falls apart in a clatter of plot absurdities and pretensions, it has its loopy charms.
- 50The New York TimesManohla DargisThe New York TimesManohla DargisDead Man Down, unfortunately, turns out to be too innocuous to qualify as either actually good or delectably bad.
- 50USA TodayClaudia PuigUSA TodayClaudia PuigAs a gritty thriller, Dead Man Down doesn't stand out among its bullet-riddled brethren.
- 42Film.comStephanie ZacharekFilm.comStephanie ZacharekDead Man Down is actually mildly entertaining, without being particularly fun.
- 30Village VoiceNick SchagerVillage VoiceNick SchagerIt's all so much turgid brooding, dialogue underlined with import, and leaden symbolism involving Rapace's white and red dresses, none of which is salvaged by a typically understated Farrell performance.
- 25Slant MagazineSlant MagazineThe action merely meanders when it should be hurtling forward, running in circles when one expects it to head toward a conclusion or some sense of resolution.
- 20VarietyPeter DebrugeVarietyPeter DebrugeAs Scandi directors go, Niels Arden Oplev couldn’t be hotter. After putting his stamp on “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” the Dane has what appears to be his pick of projects. So why follow it up with such revenge-fantasy dreck as Dead Man Down, a derivative collection of brazen plot holes and latenight-cable cliches into which he drags “Dragon” star Noomi Rapace?