--- title: "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga" critics_score: 75 critics_reviews: 23 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." --- # Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024): what the critics said Critics' score 75 from 23 reviews: 17 positive, 2 mixed, 4 negative. Most critics like it, and the spread is wide. Seventeen of 23 reviews are positive, but several give it full marks while four dismiss it, and almost every review measures it against Fury Road. The praise clusters on the action, above all the early chase, and on two performances: Anya Taylor-Joy, who carries the title role with little dialogue, and Chris Hemsworth as the villain Dementus, whom several critics single out as the film’s liveliest element. Admirers also credit Miller with giving Furiosa an inner life the earlier film only sketched. The reservations are about the prequel itself. Critics on both sides say knowing where the story ends drains it of suspense, and that the 15-year span and chapter structure make the pacing uneven. The Times finds repetition setting in after the opening chase; the Los Angeles Times objects to the digital effects and a downbeat, self-regarding tone; Sight and Sound thinks the action itself is flatter than before. ## Radio Times — James Mottram Rating 5/5. 15 May 2024. This is a brilliantly executed Hollywood blockbuster that fires on all cylinders with staggering action sequences and exemplary aesthetics, setting a new standard for the genre. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/furiosa-mad-max-saga-review/) ## The Telegraph Rating 5/5. 23 May 2024. Festival review. Cinema at its most soul-pricklingly primal; a pile-driving, stunt-filled entry that feels like the past century of Hollywood has been a detour. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2024/05/15/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-anya-taylor-joy/) ## Empire — John Nugent Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2024. The critic praises the film as a rich, sprawling epic that deepens the Mad Max mythology over 15 years, with ambitious storytelling and exceptional stunts. They single out the emotionally driven action and the performances of Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth for particular note. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga/) ## The AV Club Rating A-. 17 May 2024. Miller succeeds in creating a highly regarded prequel that stands alone while deepening Fury Road through Furiosa's inner life, relationships, and losses. The soulmate bond with Praetorian Jack provides an emotional core. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-the-unexpected-exhilar-1851484166) ## RogerEbert.com — Robert Daniels Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 17 June 2024. The critic hails the film as one of the best prequels ever made for its gravity-defying chases, expansive set pieces, and emotional depth in charting Furiosa's transformation. They single out the seamless editing, immersive photography, propulsive score, and standout villain turn by Chris Hemsworth. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/furiosa-movie-review-2024) ## The New Yorker — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 22 May 2024. The critic describes the prequel as a thrilling, sprawling epic that fills in Furiosa's dark fairy-tale origin with seamless performances and breathtaking action clarity. They single out the film's blend of end-of-days thriller and Edenic parable, along with its moral counterweight to the series' typical nihilism. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/06/03/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-movie-review) ## Total Film — Jamie Graham Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2024. The critic states that George Miller has done it again with a prequel that finds new ways to surprise. They highlight the film's ability to deliver fresh action and character depth within the established universe. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/action-movies/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2024. Festival review. Furiosa delivers a bombastic origin story focused on revenge that is one hell of a ride, cementing the character's place in the Mad Max mythology despite uneven pacing from its 15-year span. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-cannes-review/5193379.article) ## The i Paper — Christina Newland Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2024. The critic calls the film gory, thrilling and insane, matching the verve of Fury Road. They single out the intense action sequences and Anya Taylor-Joy's portrayal of a vengeful, amoral crusader shaped by her brutal environment. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/furiosa-mad-max-saga-review-3071067) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2024. Furiosa serves as a somber, twisted counterpoint to Fury Road's exhilaration, reminding viewers of the bleak end times. It excels in its personal angle on grief, character transformation, and fabulistic storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/furiosa-review-the-apocalypse-isnt-supposed-to-be-cool.html) ## Evening Standard — Jo-Ann Titmarsh Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2024. The critic describes the film as souped-up, high-octane and totally bonkers, a furious ride with watchable leads. They single out the improbable stunts and the strong performances of Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke for praise, while noting it does not quite reach the heights of its predecessor. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/furiosa-movie-review-anya-taylor-joy-b1158258.html) ## Film Comment — Jessica Kiang Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 3 June 2024. The critic finds Furiosa well-crafted but ultimately lesser than Fury Road, with abundant spectacle but lacking the earlier film's narrative freedom, surprise, and character depth. She singles out the early chase sequence for its inventive action and emotional stakes while noting the prequel's inherent limitations rob it of suspense. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/sound-and-fury-furiosa-review-jessica-kiang/) ## Sight and Sound Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 21 May 2024. Festival review. Miller remains a master of petrol-punk visuals but this mythology-stuffed backstory cannot match Fury Road's momentum, with flatter action scenes and narrative drive sapped by its prequel status. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/furiosa-mad-max-saga-george-millers-ambitious-prequel-quickly-loses-steam) ## The Times Rating 2/5. 15 May 2024. A thundering beginning and searing sense of place fail to compensate for wearisome repetition and empty theatrics that swamp the blockbuster after the opening chase. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/furiosa-review-great-stunts-shame-about-the-rest-of-this-mad-max-prequel-ddjbbbdsb) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2024. The critic calls the film a darkly bedazzling but overstuffed epic whose origin story and world-building ultimately fall short of Fury Road's home-run status. They single out the dazzling action sequences and two mega villains as highlights amid the inflated franchise overkill. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-anya-taylor-joy-chris-hemsworth-george-miller-1236000189/) ## Los Angeles Times — Joshua Rothkopf Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2024. Festival review. The critic argues that the dutiful prequel loses the franchise's signature immediacy, forward momentum, and punkish glee despite some strong action. They single out the over-reliance on digital effects, self-regarding tone, and downbeat lack of euphoria as what makes it feel like a tale already told. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-05-15/cannes-film-festival-2024-furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-premiere) ## Financial Times — Danny Leigh Rating ★★★★☆. 23 May 2024. Taylor-Joy is the quiet centre of Miller’s giddy joyride of a blockbuster; an episodic but single-minded revenge story strewn with action at once ornate and purist. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/fc29acc1-7bd7-4c7a-837e-b74a9d480b68) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich 15 May 2024. Festival review. The film is hailed as one of the greatest prequels ever made, with Miller enhancing Fury Road through its backstory. It excels in building character depth and relationships that enrich the franchise. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-1235004341/) ## The Guardian — Wendy Ide 26 May 2024. Miller’s world-building spectacle is an assault on the senses given a human heart by its remarkable star. Taylor-Joy is a pleasure to watch in the action sequences and a refreshing counterpoint to the lumbering muscle around her. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/may/26/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-renegade-warrior-anya-taylor-joy-ignites-thunderous-action-prequel-george-miller) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney 15 May 2024. Festival review. The critic finds Furiosa a step down from Fury Road, with a shapeless narrative and pretentious chapter structure that lacks tension and visual poetry. Performances by Taylor-Joy and Hemsworth are praised as fierce and fun, respectively. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-anya-taylor-joy-chris-hemsworth-george-miller-1235896508/) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Rating Critic’s Pick. 15 May 2024. The critic finds the origin story a worthy complement to Fury Road that delivers grim, exhilarating dystopian imagery and inventive filmmaking. They single out the focus on a woman's brutal struggle to survive in a dehumanizing world as the element that differentiates it, though it never quite matches the earlier film's pop. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/15/movies/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-anya-taylor-joy.html) ## /Film — BJ Colangelo Rating 10/10. 15 May 2024. The critic hails Furiosa as a thrilling, bigger and better epic than Fury Road, with breathtaking action and world-building that makes it George Miller's magnum opus and one of the greatest prequels ever. It stands alone as a masterful blockbuster while enhancing the original film. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1581233/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-anya-taylor-joy-chris-hemsworth-george-miller/) ## NME — Lou Thomas Rating 5/5. 15 May 2024. The critic hails Furiosa as another mighty, petrol-soaked masterpiece that matches or exceeds its predecessor in immersive world-building and explosive sequences. Anya Taylor-Joy's expressive performance despite limited dialogue and the thoughtful underplayed conclusion are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-3756466) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2024. Festival review. The critic calls it perhaps the greatest Mad Max film yet, an epic origin story that elevates the franchise with a strong screenplay and standout performances. He singles out Chris Hemsworth's complex, charismatic villain and the spectacular action sequences for particular praise. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2024/05/furiosa-mad-max-review-anya-taylor-joy-1235916545/) ## Polygon — Rosie Knight Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2024. The critic praises Furiosa as an innovative and expansive prequel that expands the Mad Max world with epic scope and strong practical stunts. She highlights Miller's trust in the audience and the film's vibrant, experimental approach over standard franchise fare. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/reviews/24157385/furiosa-review-no-spoilers-george-miller-anya-taylor-joy) ## Den of Geek — Matthew Byrd Rating 4/5. 16 May 2024. The review calls Furiosa a revelation and one of the best prequels ever, praising its daring execution, grotesque imagery, varied action set-pieces, and strong performances despite prequel constraints. It particularly highlights Chris Hemsworth's villainous turn as Dr. Dementus as a standout element that elevates the film. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/furiosa-review-george-miller-best-prequel-ever-mad-max/) ## The Wrap — Steve Pond Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2024. Festival review. The critic finds it a satisfying prequel and origin story that fills in blanks from Fury Road with wildly over-the-top action, though it does not quite match the predecessor's thrills or discovery. He praises Anya Taylor-Joy's believable performance as the title character growing into a warrior. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-anya-taylor-joy/) ## The Ringer — Adam Nayman Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2024. The critic finds Furiosa competent but lacking the originality of Fury Road, relying on muscle memory in its execution. He praises the action set pieces and supporting performances while noting moments of drag and prequel familiarity. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2024/05/23/movies/furiosa-mad-max-saga-movie-review-anya-taylor-joy-fury-road) ## Eye for Film — Richard Mowe The critic notes that Miller excels at helter-skelter high-octane action in this chapter-divided saga, with Taylor-Joy delivering a gutsy performance as the young Furiosa and Burke adding charm. While the pace occasionally waivers and the film feels over-inflated, it remains an admirable spectacle of pure cinema. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-2024-film-review-by-richard-mowe) ## Film Stories — James Harvey 23 May 2024. The critic calls Furiosa a brilliant, worthy successor to Fury Road that delivers impressive action and strong performances from Taylor-Joy and Hemsworth, though it feels slightly less relentless than its predecessor. The thoughtful ending and Miller's visual craft elevate it to smart blockbuster filmmaking. [Read the review](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-an-odyssey-of-blood-and-oil/) ## HeyUGuys — Linda Marric 22 May 2024. The review praises the film as a triumphant, visually stunning prequel with exhilarating action set pieces and strong performances, especially from Taylor-Joy as the fierce Furiosa and Hemsworth as the villainous Dementus. It expands the Mad Max universe effectively while delivering an emotionally charged and compelling narrative. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review/) ## The Playlist — Gregory Ellwood Rating B+/B. 15 May 2024. Festival review. The review finds Furiosa a strong prequel that does not fall short of its predecessor, with captivating non-verbal work from Taylor-Joy, a standout soliloquy from Hemsworth, and sensitive support from Burke. Miller's vision creates an engaging tale of vengeance that leaves viewers wanting more. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/furiosa-anya-taylor-joy-is-searching-for-vengeance-in-george-millers-wasteland-war-cannes-20240515/) --- © 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/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga.md