Critics’ reviews

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

24 reviews from 24 publications. Critics’ score 61: 8 positive, 2 mixed, 4 negative.

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61
Positive
8
Mixed
2
Negative
4

The reviews split close to the middle, and the spread is wide. Most critics agree on one thing: Harrison Ford. Even the harshest notices credit him with carrying the film, and the warmer ones find his older, wearier Indy the most affecting thing in it. Phoebe Waller-Bridge divides them: some call her an equal partner, others say her energy cannot lift the machinery around her. Mangold’s set-pieces earn praise from the friendlier reviews for their ground-level immediacy, but the reservations cluster on length, convoluted plotting and heavy CGI, with the digital de-ageing called distracting more often than not. The Telegraph and IndieWire are the sharpest dissenters, one calling the film a counterfeit of the originals, the other an almost complete waste of time. The New Yorker stands nearly alone in finding the digital rejuvenation of Ford moving rather than fake. The middle ground, where several land, is fun but formulaic.

The i Paper
19 May 2023 · Christina Newland
85*

It is a loving coda to the original series that feels surprisingly poignant, especially in its portrayal of an older Indy, with strong chemistry between Ford and Waller-Bridge and homage to earlier films.

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Empire
18 May 2023 · John Nugent
80*

The film feels like a fitting, bittersweet goodbye to the iconic hero, emphasizing his age and mileage while delivering classic action set-pieces and a wild finale. It highlights Ford's joyful performance and Mangold's handling of both spectacle and character reflection.

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Radio Times
18 May 2023 · ★★★★ · James Mottram
80

Dial of Destiny is an apt final journey for Indy, with a great emotional performance from Ford as he confronts ageing and regrets, solid action set-pieces, and enough iconography to satisfy fans.

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Total Film
18 May 2023
75*

The review praises the film as a highly satisfying blend of action, humour and emotion that serves as a strong send-off for the franchise.

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Vulture
29 June 2023 · Bilge Ebiri
70*

The critic finds the film too entertaining to dismiss and a fun time machine despite not matching the originals' escapist atmosphere. They single out the ground-level immediacy of the action sequences and vehicular mayhem for praise.

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The Guardian
2 July 2023 · Mark Kermode
60*

The critic finds the film fun but formulaic, with Harrison Ford carrying the weight in a lightweight sequel that feels like throwaway serials. They single out Ford's performance for praise as he ages better than the character in later-life roles.

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The Hollywood Reporter
18 May 2023 · festival review · David Rooney
30*

The critic finds the film an exhausting slog that goes through the motions without much joy or fresh take, despite some nostalgia in the closing scene. They single out the glaringly fake CGI and convoluted plotting for complaint.

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The Telegraph
28 June 2023
30*

The critic views the film as a shabby counterfeit of the original Indy experience, loaded with mayhem but short on spark and bravado. They single out the lack of inventive filmmaking and the frivolous climax for complaint, despite Ford giving it his all.

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IndieWire
18 May 2023 · festival review · David Ehrlich
20*

The critic deems the sequel a belabored reminder that some relics are better left untouched and an almost complete waste of time. They single out its safe, uninspired approach for complaint.

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Financial Times
29 June 2023 · ★★★☆☆ · Danny Leigh

The critic sees big-budget chutzpah in set pieces but finds much of the film laboured and weighed down by predecessors, with Ford's gravity not fully joining the rest. They single out Waller-Bridge's energetic performance for keeping the door ajar to the future.

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Los Angeles Times
29 June 2023 · Justin Chang

The picture is at its best when it leans poignantly into the notion that time and the movies may have passed Indy by. Ford’s charisma is the one flame the film can’t extinguish, making it a muddled but resonant meditation on mortality.

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Screen Daily
19 May 2023 · festival review

This sluggish sequel recaptures some playful derring-do in fits and starts but lacks the deep sense of fun of previous entries, feeling like an antique trying to stay relevant amid uninspired set pieces and CGI.

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Sight and Sound
28 June 2023

The film is a disappointing sendoff for Harrison Ford, with overlong chase sequences and excessive CGI making it feel like a slog despite a glimmer of the Spielberg spirit.

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The New Yorker
30 June 2023 · Anthony Lane

The film is of two minds about the hero’s mortality but determined to convince itself he is the exception to entropy. The story is front-loaded with good stuff, especially the WWII prelude, and the digital rejuvenation of Ford is moving.

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The New York Times
28 June 2023 · Manohla Dargis

The gruff appeal of Harrison Ford, both de-aged and weathered, is the main draw in this generally silly entry in the franchise. The digital de-aging is distracting and the film is overstuffed.

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The Times
28 June 2023 · ★★☆☆☆ · Kevin Maher

The critic finds the expensive sequel a meandering, enervating yawn that fails to deliver either thoughtful character study or propulsive adventure. They single out Phoebe Waller-Bridge's efforts for failing to enliven the autopilot machine around Ford's charismatic performance.

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Variety
18 May 2023 · festival review · Owen Gleiberman

It is a dutifully eager but ultimately rather joyless piece of nostalgic hokum with competent craft but not much exhilaration. The film translates Indy’s old daredevil fervor into pure will but reminds you that recapturing the thrill is much harder.

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/Film
19 May 2023 · 8/10 · Lex Briscuso
80

The critic finds the film a bold and blazingly fun reunion with the beloved hero that pulls out all the stops. Harrison Ford delivers a triumphant final performance full of emotional depth and quips.

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NME
28 June 2023 · ★★★★ · Lou Thomas
80

The film delivers lively, enthralling old-fashioned fun as a fitting final outing for Harrison Ford's iconic character. The critic singles out Phoebe Waller-Bridge's energetic performance as an equal partner to Indy and the well-marshaled action set pieces by director James Mangold.

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Collider
19 May 2023 · B- · Therese Lacson
70

The film marks the end of an era for an older, grumpy Indy but remains a fun, thrilling adventure thanks to strong action sequences and Harrison Ford's charismatic performance. It improves on Crystal Skull with good chemistry between Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, though the story is formulaic and uneven at times.

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The Ringer
30 June 2023 · Miles Surrey
65*

Dial of Destiny reckons with Indy's legacy and flaws through his dynamic with Helena Shaw, portraying the hero's past triumphs and shortcomings while bidding farewell to the iconic character. It is not the best entry in the series but stands as the most reverent one, thoughtfully engaging with the franchise's history.

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Den of Geek
29 June 2023 · ★★ · Don Kaye
40

The critic finds the film a crashing bore and bloated slog that fails to recapture past glories, with noticeable lack of energy from the script, cast, and director. They single out the immersive Dolby Atmos sound design and John Williams' score as a bright spot amid the CG-heavy sequences.

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Deadline
18 May 2023 · festival review · Stephanie Bunbury

The critic finds the film a brisk, gleeful action spectacle packed with spectacular stunts and nostalgia that works despite its ludicrous elements. She singles out Harrison Ford's enduring star power and the satisfying callbacks to earlier entries for praise.

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The Wrap
18 May 2023 · festival review · Steve Pond

The review calls the film an exuberant but familiar action flick that leans heavily on Harrison Ford's charisma and the character's enduring appeal to carry its over-the-top sequences and fan service. It singles out the affecting quieter moments and the sense that the series has stuck the landing for praise.

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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