Critics’ reviews

Greyhound (2020)

26 reviews from 26 publications. Critics’ score 60: 11 positive, 10 mixed, 5 negative.

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60
Positive
11
Mixed
10
Negative
5
The AV Club
7 July 2020 · B · Ignatiy Vishnevetsky
77

The review finds Greyhound a compelling, gripping naval thriller, though its climactic stretch can feel visually monotonous. It praises the film’s grounded depiction of naval warfare and the suspense built from its limited point of view.

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The Hollywood Reporter
6 July 2020 · David Rooney
75*

Rooney finds Greyhound a taut, stirring action thriller that sustains its grip despite a slightly overdone sentimental ending. He particularly praises the immersive, nail-biting combat sequences and the convincing depiction of the perilous convoy crossing.

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Vulture
9 July 2020 · Bilge Ebiri
75*

Ebiri finds Greyhound surprisingly immersive and ultimately memorable despite some minor weaknesses. He especially praises its authentic naval detail and sound design, while noting that the focus on procedure leaves the crew underdeveloped.

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Los Angeles Times
6 July 2020 · Kevin Crust
70*

Crust finds the film an efficient, satisfying war drama, though its Black sailor subplot feels underdeveloped. He praises the taut direction, atmospheric visuals and understated performances, especially Hanks and Graham.

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The Guardian
6 July 2020 · Peter Bradshaw
70*

Bradshaw finds the film effective and watchable, though notably traditionalist and sombre. He praises its tense, claustrophobic naval action and old-school cat-and-mouse strategy.

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Variety
6 July 2020 · Owen Gleiberman
70*

Gleiberman finds the film a sturdy, tense account of the logistics of naval battle, though its characterizations are thin and the action sometimes sags. He praises Tom Hanks’s finely etched, minimalist performance and the scrupulous military detail.

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The New York Times
7 July 2020
64*

The review text is unavailable, so its verdict cannot be established. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the supplied page.

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Time Out
8 July 2020 · ★★★ · Phil de Semlyen
60

The critic finds that the film’s hymn to the Greatest Generation is overwhelmed by its sound and fury. They single out Tom Hanks’s relatable, quietly self-doubting performance and understated faith as a strength.

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Total Film
8 July 2020 · ★★★ · Matthew Leyland
60

Leyland finds Greyhound solid but unexceptional, with its brevity a welcome contrast to more stodgy war films. He praises Hanks’s gravitas and understated humanity, while noting that the film can feel monotonous and lacks a standout set-piece.

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Empire
6 July 2020 · Ian Freer
55*

The review finds Greyhound serious and well-intentioned, but lacking the characterisation and depth to become memorable. It praises the compelling naval detail and effective action set-pieces.

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IndieWire
6 July 2020 · C- · David Ehrlich
50

Ehrlich finds the film monotonous and shallow, unable to make its commander’s inner life meaningful. He praises the tension of the vulnerable convoy under threat, but says the spectacle rarely becomes coherent naval action.

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The i Paper
14 July 2020 · Joseph Walsh
50*

Walsh finds the film effective as a brisk, action-packed tale of courage, but lacking in emotional depth. He praises Hanks’s nuanced performance and the tense, slickly staged sea battles.

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The Independent
9 July 2020 · ★★ · Adam White
40

White finds the film puzzlingly inert and says it lacks the soul and warmth Tom Hanks usually brings to his roles. He praises the sea action as impressive, but faults the film’s thin characterization and emphasis on naval accuracy over drama.

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Slant Magazine
6 July 2020 · ★½/4 · Chuck Bowen
38

Bowen finds the film sentimental and dramatically thin, with its action ultimately feeling rootless. He praises a few eerie visual touches but complains that the crew lacks human dimension.

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Collider
10 July 2020 · B · Matt Goldberg
77

Goldberg finds the film thrilling and captivating despite its thin plot and limited character development. He praises Schneider’s tense, detailed depiction of naval combat and Hanks’s morally weighted performance.

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Film Stories
13 July 2020 · Mark Harrison
76*

The critic finds Greyhound a brisk, suspenseful, and effective wartime thriller, though its narrow focus leaves little room for character development. They praise the claustrophobic direction and the visceral battle effects, enhanced by Blake Neely’s percussion-led score.

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Consequence
6 July 2020 · Robert Daniels
75*

The critic finds Greyhound an enthralling but bare-bones war film, carried by Tom Hanks’s performance. The battles’ taut editing and craft earn praise, while the sparse script leaves supporting actors underused.

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NME
75*

The critic finds the film slick, solid, and reassuringly serious, with a righteous finale. They praise Tom Hanks’s steady presence, while noting that the characters are not fully fleshed out.

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Polygon
10 July 2020 · Karen Han
70*

The review finds Greyhound tense and compelling, though its supporting characters are thin and its spectacle is diminished on streaming. It praises the detailed, repetitive chain of command for making naval warfare feel fresh and exciting.

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The Wrap
7 July 2020 · Alonso Duralde
65*

The critic finds the film tense and efficient, but less gripping than it should be. He praises its straightforward, effective handling of the dangerous crossing, while noting its thin characterization.

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HeyUGuys
10 July 2020 · Stefan Pape, Scott Davis and Linda Marric
64*

The page identifies this as a video review, but the accessible text does not reveal the critics’ verdict. It gives no specific praise or complaint from the review.

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Eye for Film
24 April 2021 · Jennie Kermode
60*

Kermode finds the film a serviceable but limited thriller that falls short of its source material’s potential. She praises Tom Hanks’s restrained performance, with Rob Morgan’s warmth also helping the film connect.

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/Film
6 July 2020 · 5/10 · Josh Spiegel
50

The critic finds Greyhound a serviceable but dramatically weak war film that feels more like a cable movie than a theatrical feature. He praises its swift, tight pacing, while faulting its thin characterization and lack of dramatic heft.

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Den of Geek
9 July 2020 · ★★ · David Crow
40

The critic finds the naval thriller dull and dramatically underdeveloped. He praises a few tense moments, especially the first U-boat crossing beneath the ship, but faults the flat direction and lack of character depth.

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Digital Spy
6 July 2020 · Gabriella Geisinger
30*

Geisinger finds the film underwhelming and not very moving. She criticizes its thin character development, intrusive religious dialogue, and rushed pacing, while noting Stephen Graham’s magnetic presence.

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The Ringer
9 July 2020 · Ben Lindbergh
30*

Lindbergh finds the film a brief, forgettable naval drama that fails to make the most of its story. He praises its tense depiction of open-ocean combat, but says its rapid pace leaves little room for immersion or emotional depth.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate