--- title: "Kajaki: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/kajaki/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/kajaki" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 9 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." --- # Kajaki (2014): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 9 reviews: 7 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find Kajaki a tense, engrossing account of soldiers trapped in a minefield, with praise centred on its stripped-down approach and convincing physical realism. The reviews repeatedly credit the ensemble’s believable camaraderie, alongside the direction and effects work, for making the ordeal feel immediate. Suspense is the clearest point of agreement: even the more reserved responses acknowledge the force of the film’s close attention to the soldiers’ predicament. Reservations concern how long that tension can sustain the drama, with several critics finding repetition or stretches that drag. The film’s limited political scope divides opinion: Little White Lies welcomes its nonpartisan approach, while The Guardian questions its lack of curiosity about wider issues. Sentimentality towards the close also draws objections. The spread is broadly favourable rather than sharply polarised, with mixed assessments questioning the dramatic shape without dismissing the realism or performances. ## Empire — Nev Pierce Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 28 October 2014. The critic finds it a blistering, intensely effective survival war film. They single out its stripped-down approach and David Elliot’s performance in a very human ensemble. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/kajaki-true-story-review/) ## Radio Times — Trevor Johnston Rating 4/5. The review finds the film a nerve-shredding experience. It praises the cast, director and effects crew for their commitment to reality. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-b5cq7s/kajaki-the-true-story/) ## Time Out — Dave Calhoun Rating 4/5. 24 November 2014. Calhoun gives the film four out of five, describing it as a low-key but high-tension account of British soldiers in Afghanistan. The review singles out the reconstruction’s tension as a strength. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/kajaki-the-true-story) ## Variety — Guy Lodge Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 28 November 2014. Lodge finds the film an impressively disciplined, tense portrait of soldiers trapped in a minefield. He praises its grounded realism and taut handling of suspense, while faulting the closing-credits ballad. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-kajaki-the-true-story-1201366352/) ## The Guardian — Andrew Pulver Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 27 November 2014. Pulver finds the film nerve-racking and powerfully claustrophobic, despite its lack of curiosity about wider political issues. He singles out its suspenseful recreation of the soldiers’ ordeal in the minefield. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/nov/27/kajaki-the-true-story-review-afghan-war-film) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 November 2014. Felperin finds the film well-made, tense and moving, though dramatically repetitive and politically narrow. She especially praises its stable cinematography and the ensemble’s believable camaraderie and commitment. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/kajaki-true-story-film-review-749016/) ## Screen Daily — Fionnuala Halligan Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 13 November 2014. The page identifies this as a review, but its verdict is unavailable in the accessible text. No specific praise or criticism can be confirmed. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/kajaki-the-true-story-aka-kilo-two-bravo-review/5079963.article) ## Little White Lies — Adam Woodward Rating 3/5. 28 November 2014. The critic finds the film largely engrossing but says its premise is stretched over the runtime. They praise its unflinching realism and nonpartisan portrayal of the soldiers’ ordeal. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/kajaki) ## HeyUGuys — Matt Seton Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 28 November 2014. Seton finds Kajaki a gripping, tense war drama that largely avoids sentimentality and political agendas, though its running time drags and the ending turns sentimental. He praises the film’s intense portrayal of the soldiers’ ordeal and the cast’s performances. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/kajaki-the-true-story-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/kajaki.md