--- title: "In the Line of Fire: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/in-the-line-of-fire/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/in-the-line-of-fire" critics_score: 74 critics_reviews: 8 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." --- # In the Line of Fire (1993): what the critics said Critics' score 74 from 8 reviews: 6 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like In the Line of Fire, and the praise clusters almost entirely around its two leads. Nearly every review names the pairing of Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich as the reason to watch, and Malkovich’s would-be assassin is singled out again and again as frightening, taunting and the real engine of the film. Eastwood’s own performance draws notice for its humour and vulnerability, and Petersen’s direction is called assured where it is mentioned at all. The spread is narrow: no review is negative, and the mixed verdicts are mild rather than cross. Variety finds the film proficient but less textured than the ones Eastwood directs himself, and Time Out thinks the thriller mechanics familiar even when the killer’s scenes are not. The Los Angeles Times calls the romantic subplot the weakest writing in the film. Nobody dissents on the central duel; the reservations are about what surrounds it. ## Empire — Barry McIlheney Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic calls it a superior, near-perfect video rental and a standout among major theatrical releases. They particularly praise the compelling Eastwood–Malkovich pairing, singling out Malkovich’s frightening performance. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/line-fire-review/) ## Radio Times — Tom Hutchinson Rating 4/5. Hutchinson calls the film hugely enjoyable and better than two comparable blockbusters. He singles out Eastwood’s tearful performance and the compelling obsession between his character and Malkovich’s would-be assassin. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-j4sos9/in-the-line-of-fire/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 9 July 1993. Turan finds the film crisply entertaining and praises its well-matched duel between Eastwood and Malkovich. He singles out Malkovich’s villainous performance and Petersen’s assured direction, while calling the romantic subplot the least well-written part. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-07-09-ca-12845-story.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 3/4. 9 July 1993. Ebert gives the film a positive verdict, finding it an effective thriller. He singles out the performances of Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich as a strength. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/in-the-line-of-fire-1993) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 July 1993. McCarthy calls it a proficient, solidly commercial thriller, though he finds it less textured than Clint Eastwood’s own films. He praises Eastwood’s humor and vulnerability, as well as John Malkovich’s compelling villain. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1993/film/reviews/in-the-line-of-fire-2-1200432811/) ## Time Out — Jeff Maguire Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the thriller slick and enjoyable, though familiar. They praise its fiendishly brilliant killer’s taunting confrontations with the cop. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/in-the-line-of-fire-1) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 9 July 1993. The page content is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No praise or complaint from the review is available to report. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/09/movies/review-film-in-the-line-of-fire-eastwood-slips-easily-into-town.html) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 4/5. 27 August 2008. Brew considers the film a very good thriller, though the Blu-ray upgrade is hard to justify. He particularly praises the tense, compelling interplay between Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/in-the-line-of-fire-blu-ray-review/) --- © 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/in-the-line-of-fire.md