---
title: "Gilda: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/gilda/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/gilda"
critics_score: 79
critics_reviews: 7
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."
---

# Gilda (1946): what the critics said

Critics' score 79 from 7 reviews: 5 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative.

Most critics respond warmly to Gilda, with praise clustering around Rita Hayworth’s screen presence and the erotic tension between the characters. Her introduction and musical performance draw particular attention, while even the less enthusiastic reviews find her a compelling central attraction. The cinematography also earns praise, with reviews of restored versions noting how the shadows alter the impression of the film’s glossy visual style. Its suggestive innuendo and unsettling postwar atmosphere provide further sources of interest.

The disagreement centres on how much the surrounding film supports Hayworth. Empire finds an overwrought muddle, though it remains entertaining and her presence provides a saving grace. Variety is more resistant, describing the plotting as trite and far-fetched and the direction as static, while still praising Hayworth. The spread therefore runs from strong enthusiasm to qualified enjoyment, with no wholly negative assessment among these seven reviews.

## Radio Times — Tony Sloman

Rating 5/5. 

The review celebrates the film as a memorable star vehicle. It singles out Rita Hayworth’s iconic introduction and glove-striptease, along with the charged relationship between the characters.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-f2lt48/gilda/)

## Slant Magazine — Clayton Dillard

Rating 4.5/5. 5 April 2026. 

The critic praises Criterion’s 4K upgrade for showcasing the film’s striking cinematography. The deeper shadows and added texture in Rita Hayworth’s iconic musical number stand out.

[Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/gilda-4k-uhd-blu-ray-review-charles-vidor/)

## Los Angeles Times — Andy Klein

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2016. 

Klein presents the film favorably, saying its restored cinematography changed his view of its glossy visual style. He singles out the film’s suggestive innuendo and the new interview with Eddie Muller for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/tn-gnp-dvd-review-gilda-20160128-story.html)

## Time Out — Trevor Johnston

Rating 4/5. 19 July 2011. 

The review presents Gilda as a fascinating classic Hollywood film. It singles out Rita Hayworth’s memorable presence as the film’s central attraction.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/gilda)

## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2011. 

Bradshaw calls the film a real 1940s Hollywood treat, while noting its irrational panic and hysteria. He singles out its woozy, unsettling postwar atmosphere and erotic tension.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jul/21/gilda-film-review)

## Empire — David Parkinson

Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 

Parkinson finds the film an overwrought muddle but ultimately entertaining. He singles out Rita Hayworth’s screen presence as its saving grace.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/gilda-review/)

## Variety — Variety Staff

Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1945. 

The review finds the plotting trite and far-fetched, with static direction. It praises Rita Hayworth’s screen presence as the film’s chief excitement.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/1945/film/reviews/gilda-1200414757/)

---
© 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/gilda.md