--- title: "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny" critics_score: 61 critics_reviews: 14 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." --- # Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 61 from 14 reviews: 8 positive, 2 mixed, 4 negative. 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 — Christina Newland Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 19 May 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/indiana-jones-dial-destiny-review-harrison-ford-adventure-fans-tears-2352120) ## Empire — John Nugent Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny/) ## Radio Times — James Mottram Rating 4/5. 18 May 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/indiana-jones-dial-of-destiny-review/) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-review/) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 29 June 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/indiana-jones-5-is-too-entertaining-to-dismiss.html) ## The Guardian — Mark Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 2 July 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jul/02/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-review-harrison-ford-phoebe-waller-bridge-mads-mikkelsen-toby-jones) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2023. Festival review. 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. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-review-harrison-ford-james-mangold-1235495914/) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 28 June 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2023/06/28/indiana-jones-dial-of-destiny-review-harrison-ford/) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2023. Festival review. 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. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-review-1234864859/) ## Financial Times — Danny Leigh Rating ★★★☆☆. 29 June 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/d66d4a0e-8daf-4c64-9ef8-55981054211c) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang 29 June 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-06-29/indiana-jones-5-review-dial-of-destiny-harrison-ford) ## 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. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-cannes-review/5182251.article) ## 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. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/indiana-jones-dial-destiny-disappointing-sendoff-harrison-ford) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane 30 June 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/07/10/indiana-jones-and-the-losing-battle-against-mortality) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis 28 June 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/movies/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-review.html) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★☆☆☆. 28 June 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/indiana-jones-dial-destiny-review-film-movie-2023-xrlxsz5sg) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman 18 May 2023. Festival review. 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. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-review-harrison-ford-1235617471/) ## /Film — Lex Briscuso Rating 8/10. 19 May 2023. Festival review. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1290690/indiana-jones-dial-of-destiny-review/) ## NME — Lou Thomas Rating 4/5. 28 June 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/indiana-jones-dial-of-destiny-review-3446464) ## Collider — Therese Lacson Rating B-. 19 May 2023. Festival review. 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. [Read the review](https://collider.com/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-review/) ## The Ringer — Miles Surrey Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 30 June 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2023/06/30/movies/indiana-jones-dial-of-destiny-helena-shaw-phoebe-waller-bridge) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 2/5. 29 June 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-review-harrison-ford-cant-rewind-the-clock/) ## Deadline — Stephanie Bunbury 18 May 2023. Festival review. 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. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2023/05/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-review-harrison-ford-phoebe-waller-bridge-1235371941/) ## The Wrap — Steve Pond 18 May 2023. Festival review. 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. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/indiana-jones-5-review-harrison-ford-cannes/) --- © 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/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny.md