--- title: "Laura: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/laura/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/laura" critics_score: 84 critics_reviews: 11 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." --- # Laura (1944): what the critics said Critics' score 84 from 11 reviews: 10 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Laura, praising Otto Preminger’s controlled direction and the way its romantic mystery draws on male obsession and fantasy. The praise clusters around the photography, the memorable score and a cast led by Gene Tierney, with Clifton Webb’s caustic, unsettling performance receiving particular attention. Several reviews find the character portraits as absorbing as the detective story, while others emphasise the suspense and unpredictable plotting. The spread is wide, though the disagreement comes chiefly from one negative review rather than a divided consensus. Time Out finds the personalities and direction more compelling than the mystery itself, a reservation within an otherwise positive assessment. The New Yorker’s 1944 review dissents much more sharply, dismissing the film as an ordinary detective picture with uninteresting characters and clichéd dialogue. Even that review finds brief stimulation in Webb’s performance, making him a rare point of agreement across the divide. ## Little White Lies — Matt Thrift Rating 5/5/5. 14 January 2019. The critic hails the film as Preminger’s slyly subversive noir masterpiece and first great work, one ripe for rediscovery on Blu-ray. It is praised for its riveting, erotic qualities and masterful handling of character and convention. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/laura-1944) ## Radio Times — Tony Sloman Rating 5/5. The critic calls it a taut romantic mystery that encapsulates film noir, with moody stark direction and matchless score. Gene Tierney, Vincent Price and especially Clifton Webb’s caustic performance are highlighted as key strengths. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-rmeojk/laura/) ## Empire — Angie Errigo Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 February 2006. The critic calls Otto Preminger’s film a superb and potent romantic thriller and a classic mystery. They single out the ravishing Gene Tierney, the cast including Dana Andrews and Clifton Webb, the Oscar-winning cinematography, twists, and haunting score as elements that fit together perfectly in this classic noir romance. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/laura-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Tina Hassannia Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 18 February 2013. The critic praises the Blu-ray transfer of this noir classic and highlights Preminger's refinement and restraint in adapting the story of masculine fantasy and obsession around an enigmatic woman. The film is singled out for its beguiling score, casting, and exploration of patriarchal desires. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/laura-bd/) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). The piece hails Preminger's Laura as one of the finest and most immaculate examples of 1940s film noir, better even than Double Indemnity. It singles out the sumptuous plot, gorgeous lead performance and sublimely slimy villain for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/1940s-film-noir-rare-thing-genuinely-immaculate-movie/) ## The Times — Ed Potton Rating ★★★★☆. 11 January 2019. The critic calls Preminger's American breakthrough an immaculate film noir featuring exquisite Gene Tierney and a delicious switcheroo. They single out Clifton Webb's supercilious and creepy journalist as the star of the show. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/article/laura-1944-review-h2pwqkzj8) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 February 2012. The critic praises the 2012 re-release of Preminger's 1944 film as still gripping for lovers of 1940s Hollywood. They single out the superb halfway-point coup de cinéma as a highlight of this fascinating whodunnit-noir. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/feb/23/laura-review) ## Time Out — Dave Calhoun Rating 4/5. 21 February 2012. The critic recommends this stylish 1944 noir restoration for its vivid character portraits and gorgeous photography of the femme fatale. The gallery of personalities and Preminger’s direction are singled out as more compelling than the mystery itself. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/laura-2) ## The New Yorker — John Lardner Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 14 October 1944. The critic finds the film no more than an ordinary detective picture, with uninteresting background and characters, and clichéd dialogue. He notes Clifton Webb's performance as briefly stimulating but overall dismisses any claims of social satire. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1944/10/21/1944-10-21-050-tny-cards-000016717) ## Collider — Thomas Butt Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 20 October 2024. The critic calls the film a masterful, one-of-a-kind noir that elevated its material into something ingenious and redefined the genre with its exploration of male obsession and projections. It singles out the striking visuals, indelible performances, iconic score, and biting commentary on human psychology for praise. [Read the review](https://collider.com/laura-movie-1944/) ## Eye for Film — Skyline Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 10 March 2006. The critic calls it an elegantly stylish and suspenseful classic film noir that sustains its magnificence on repeated viewings and ranks as an effortless masterpiece. They single out the intelligent, unpredictable plot together with beautiful cinematography and an unforgettable score. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/laura-film-review-by-skyline) --- © 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/laura.md