Chaos Walking (2021)

Dowd finds the adventure bumpy but says its clever sci-fi premise gives it an inventive engine. The review especially praises the Noise concept and the leads’ likable chemistry.

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Ehrlich finds the adaptation dull and compromised, flattening its unusual premise into a generic YA action film. He singles out the horseback sequence, with the characters’ Noise trailing behind them, as a glimpse of the genre-mashing film it might have been.

Crust finds the film watchable and engaging in places, but neither a disaster nor the exciting franchise launch it might have been. He praises the inventive Noise concept while criticizing how its cacophony overwhelms the storytelling and diminishes subtext.

Repass finds the film entertaining on the surface but a mess of contradictions that fails to realize its premise. He praises its depiction of thought as a tool of control, while faulting it for reducing its most imaginative ideas to set dressing and leaving colonialism underdeveloped.

Steele finds the film tonally confused but credits it with engaging ideas about male rage and desire. She praises the leads’ charisma while criticizing the ill-timed jokes and the film’s failure to give its themes sufficient weight.

Harley finds the adaptation ambitious but misconceived, with an elusive tonal footing. He says its themes of male violence resonate, despite the film’s difficulty grounding them.

The critic finds the film a disappointing, clichéd trudge that squanders its promising premise. They praise the efforts of Holland, Ridley, and especially Mikkelsen, whose performance makes his character compelling despite the material.

Debruge finds the film’s high-concept premise quickly tiresome and its characters and confrontations generic. He praises Tom Holland for making Todd’s awkwardness endearing, but says the Noise needlessly spells out what an actor can convey silently.

Ebiri finds the film a muddled, generic sci-fi adventure that fails to make its premise pay off. He praises the touching idea of Todd repeating his name to manage his thoughts, but says the film does too little with it.

Lee finds the film a watchable but misjudged and largely drab failure, with little chance of continuing as a franchise. He particularly criticizes the confusing visual effects for the characters’ thoughts and the script’s lack of characterization.

Rooney finds the film a dour, uninvolving sci-fi adventure that fails to make its characters or stakes compelling. He particularly criticizes its tiresome premise and simplistic gender politics.

The critic finds the troubled adaptation likable and entertaining despite its jumbled story and abrupt ending. Holland and Ridley’s charisma and Liman’s energetic direction are singled out as pleasures.

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Wilkinson finds it a watchable but flawed adventure aimed chiefly at younger viewers. She praises the chemistry and energy of Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley, while faulting the under-explored ideas and perfunctory supporting elements.

Crump finds the film flimsy, rushed, and broadly drawn, despite its promising premise. He praises Tom Holland’s comic portrayal of Todd’s thoughts, while criticizing the weak stakes and action sequences.

The critic finds the film dull, poorly written, and unable to make its premise work. He singles out the confusing, distracting presentation of the Noise as a major flaw.

The critic finds the film a joyless, uninspired retread of YA dystopian stories. The inventive visual effects for the characters’ “Noise” are the film’s most striking feature.

The critic finds the film a dreary, messy plod that struggles to sustain mystery. They single out the grating, constant audible-thoughts concept as especially irritating.

The critic finds the adaptation a tedious, underdeveloped misfire that fails to make its ideas or world compelling. They praise the natural chemistry between Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley, whose quiet moments suggest a spark the film never develops.

The critic finds the film unengaging, with a thin story that wastes its talented cast. David Oyelowo’s scenery-chewing performance offers a welcome respite.