--- title: "Exam: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/exam/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/exam" critics_score: 65 critics_reviews: 12 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." --- # Exam (2009): what the critics said Critics' score 65 from 12 reviews: 5 positive, 6 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics agree on the premise, and most of them like it. Eight job candidates locked in a secure room with a countdown strikes nearly everyone as a sharp idea, and the reviews keep returning to the same words: claustrophobic, clever, lean. Hazeldine’s direction gets credit for making a stage-bound setup feel like a film rather than a filmed play, and several notices call it a confident debut. Luke Mably is the performance singled out most often, praised for charisma and warmth in a cast that otherwise divides opinion. The ending is where they part. The Guardian finds the pay-off a shaggy-dog anti-climax, Den of Geek thinks the premise is squandered by blunt writing, and Eye for Film calls the second twist obvious and the acting shrill. Even admirers concede the middle gets talky and the sudden violence jars. The spread is wide, from warm trade and festival notices down to a few cold ones, with the mixed camp the largest. ## Variety — Lael Loewenstein Fi1m's normalised score 88/100 (inferred from the text). 17 February 2010. Festival review. The critic gives the film a strongly positive verdict, praising how it sustains tension and keeps viewers guessing. She particularly singles out Hazeldine’s direction, which makes a confined, theatrical premise feel cinematic. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/exam-1117942218/) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 4/5. 21 December 2009. The review finds the film a sharp, inventive thriller that dips in the middle but ultimately succeeds. It praises Hazeldine’s eye for detail and the way the countdown keeps audiences guessing, while objecting to the sudden violence. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/exam-1-review/) ## Empire — Nev Pierce Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 30 December 2009. The critic finds this an assured, engaging debut, though some performances are creaky. Luke Mably’s charismatic, empathetic performance is singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/exam-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — The Associated Press Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 July 2009. Festival review. The critic finds the chamber-piece tense and darkly comic, though its pandemic subplot feels artificially added. The actors, especially Luke Mably, and the clever final-act twists earn praise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/exam-film-review-93355/) ## Screen Daily — Allan Hunter Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 22 June 2009. The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It also does not reveal what the critic singled out for praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/exam/5002742.article) ## Radio Times — Sloan Freer Rating 3/5. The critic finds Hazeldine’s debut confident and its psychological thriller premise compelling. They praise its claustrophobic atmosphere and lean plot. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-r6irtn/exam/) ## Time Out — Nigel Floyd Rating 3/5. 5 January 2010. Floyd presents it as a clever puzzle movie built around an intriguing question. The premise of eight job candidates competing inside a secure room is the singled-out appeal. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/exam) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 7 January 2010. Bradshaw finds the film intriguing but ultimately disappointing, citing its frustrating ending and shaggy-dog anti-climax. He praises its claustrophobic setup and satirical jab at reality TV, and calls Hazeldine a talent to reckon with. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/jan/07/exam-review) ## HeyUGuys — David Sztypuljak Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 June 2010. The critic highly recommends the film as an original, clever and thought-provoking thriller. They praise its claustrophobic single-room setting and escalating problem-solving tension, while noting that the middle becomes a little talky. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/exam-blu-ray-review/) ## The Skinny — Becky Bartlett Rating ★★★. 20 June 2009. Festival review. The review finds the film clever and its plot engaging, despite some flaws in tension. It praises the well-conceived solution to the puzzle and the cast’s performances. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/festivals/edinburgh-festivals/film/eiff-2009-exam) ## Den of Geek — Michael Leader Rating 2 out of 5. 5 January 2010. The critic finds the film disappointing, saying its intriguing premise is squandered by blunt writing and an unsatisfying ending. They praise the high-concept setup as memorable and beguiling, but say the characters and payoff fail to deliver. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/exam-review-2/) ## Eye for Film — Anton Bitel Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 27 December 2009. The critic finds the film intriguing at first but ultimately derivative and disappointing. He praises the retrospectively clear central solution, while criticizing the obvious second twist, dispensable distractions, and shrill overacting. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/exam-film-review-by-anton-bitel) --- © 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/exam.md