--- title: "Argentina 1985: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/argentina-1985/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/argentina-1985" critics_score: 76 critics_reviews: 17 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Argentina 1985 (2022): what the critics said Critics' score 76 from 17 reviews: 13 positive, 4 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find Argentina 1985 a stirring, humane courtroom drama, with praise centred on Ricardo Darín’s restrained, witty performance as prosecutor Julio Strassera. The reviews repeatedly credit the family scenes and everyday humour with making him a rounded character and giving the prosecution personal stakes. Witness testimony supplies much of the emotional force, while several critics admire the film’s ability to make familiar courtroom conventions feel compelling without sensationalising the crimes. The disagreement concerns how well that conventional approach serves the history. Some find it well suited to the subject; others see limitations in the storytelling and pace. The Hollywood Reporter finds stretches of pacing and dialogue flat, while HeyUGuys argues that the film rushes towards its courtroom climax. There are also reservations about how much historical knowledge it assumes. The spread runs from enthusiastic to qualified rather than hostile: thirteen reviews are positive, four mixed, and none negative. ## Variety — Guy Lodge Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2022. Festival review. Lodge finds the film a rousing, emotionally immediate courtroom drama that uses familiar genre conventions effectively. He particularly praises Ricardo Darín’s grounded, charismatic performance and the gripping final courtroom speech. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/argentina-1985-review-1235359248/) ## IndieWire — Sophie Monks Kaufman Rating B+. 3 September 2022. Festival review. The review finds the film an entertaining, often amusing account that resists simplistic hero-making. It praises Ricardo Darín for bringing wit and nuance to the drama’s procedural, historical, and domestic elements. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/argentina-1985-review-santiago-mitre-1234758197/) ## Los Angeles Times — Michael Ordoña Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 September 2022. The critic finds the film humane and compelling, balancing the gravity of the crimes with everyday humor. He especially praises its vivid portrayal of Strassera’s family and relationships, which grounds the story and raises the stakes. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-09-28/review-argentina-1985) ## Radio Times — James Mottram Rating 4/5. The critic describes the courtroom drama as a powerful account of Argentina’s war-crimes trial. They single out Ricardo Darín’s excellent performance as prosecutor Julio Strassera. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-epplh8/argentina-1985/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2022. Bradshaw finds the courtroom drama emotionally heightened but handled with flair and heartfelt commitment. He singles out Ricardo Darín’s witty, careworn performance as especially compelling. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/sep/03/argentina-1985-review-rousingly-acted-junta-trial-dramatisation) ## The New Yorker Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). The review finds the film suspenseful and ultimately rousing despite its known outcome. It praises the storytelling’s sturdy feel and the flashes of comedy that preserve lightness amid the serious drama. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/argentina-1985) ## Sight and Sound Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 24 September 2022. The critic finds the film conventional but stirring, arguing that its familiar courtroom framework suits its subject. They single out the harrowing witness testimony and Darín’s understated, eloquent closing argument for giving the story emotional weight. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/argentina-1985-robust-case-virtues-traditional-courtroom-drama) ## Screen Daily — Fionnuala Halligan Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2022. Festival review. The review presents the film as a rousing courtroom thriller with awards-season potential. It singles out Ricardo Darín’s performance as especially strong. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/argentina-1985-venice-review/5173893.article) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Sheri Linden Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2022. Festival review. Linden finds the drama measured but thoughtful, with Darín grounding its account of the historic trial. She praises his restrained performance and the force of Strassera’s closing statement, while noting that the pacing and some dialogue fall flat. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/argentina-1985-review-ricardo-darin-santiago-mitre-venice-1235206323/) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 29 September 2022. The article body is blocked, so the critic’s verdict and specific praise or criticism cannot be determined. The URL identifies it as a review of Argentina 1985. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/29/movies/argentina-1985-review.html) ## Slant Magazine — Keith Watson Rating 2.5/4. 18 October 2022. Watson finds the film a nimble, measured courtroom drama that avoids much of the genre’s schmaltz. He especially praises how Julio’s family life provides humor and emotional grounding amid the trial’s serious subject matter. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/argentina-1985-review/) ## Deadline — Stephanie Bunbury Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2022. Festival review. Bunbury calls the film exceptional and brilliant cinema, praising how it weaves political struggle with a human story. She singles out Ricardo Darín’s remarkable performance and the courtroom testimony scenes for their emotional force. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2022/09/argentina-1985-review-ricardo-darin-santiago-mitre-venice-film-festival-1235107262/) ## Paste — Natalia Keogan Rating 8.7/10. 21 October 2022. Keogan praises the film as a powerful, assured procedural that recounts a landmark trial without sensationalizing its horrors. She singles out the period detail and streamlined storytelling, while noting that some political context is left unexplained. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/amazon-prime/argentina-1985-review) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 76/100 (inferred from the text). 9 January 2023. Kermode finds the film an effective, morally challenging account of the prosecution, though it assumes some familiarity with Argentina’s history. She especially praises Ricardo Darín’s layered performance and the detailed courtroom reconstruction. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/argentina-1985-2022-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2022. Festival review. The critic finds the film an effective, cathartic tribute to Argentina’s struggle for justice, despite its familiar and formally conventional approach. The performances and the film’s clear preservation of historical memory stand out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/argentina-1985-movie-review-santiago-mitre-trial-juntas-amazon-prime/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). Festival review. The critic finds the film powerful and well-made, but says it rushes toward its courtroom climax. Ricardo Darín’s empathetic performance is singled out for making prosecutor Julio Strassera feel human and relatable. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/argentina-1985-review/) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 27 October 2022. The review text is inaccessible, so its verdict cannot be determined. The available page provides no details about what the critic praises or criticizes. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/argentina-1985-review-understated-docudrama-explores-the-trial-of-the-juntas-20221027/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/argentina-1985.md