--- title: "Lizzie: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/lizzie/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/lizzie" critics_score: 57 critics_reviews: 20 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." --- # Lizzie (2018): what the critics said Critics' score 57 from 20 reviews: 8 positive, 8 mixed, 4 negative. Most critics are split down the middle on Lizzie, with as many mixed verdicts as positive ones. Where the reviews agree is on the two leads: Chloë Sevigny’s performance is praised almost everywhere, and Kristen Stewart’s nearly as often, with the tenderness and restraint between the two women named as the film’s strongest element. Noah Greenberg’s cinematography draws repeated notice for its sensuous, oppressive picture of the Borden house, and several reviews single out the sound design. The reservations cluster on pace. Many reviews find the film too measured and self-serious, with the long setup draining tension from the finale, and Paste faults it for refusing the lurid possibilities of the story. Critics disagree about the ending: Empire finds it turns sensationalistic, while others find it tedious once the murders are done. The spread is wide, from warm recommendations to outright dismissals, with Variety and Vulture the harshest, both finding the drama weak despite its feminist framing. ## Slant Magazine — Henry Stewart Rating 3/4. 12 September 2018. Stewart views the film as a bleak, effective feminist reframing of the Lizzie Borden story, though some dialogue is too overtly feminist. He singles out Kristen Stewart’s performance and the film’s oppressive domestic atmosphere for praise. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/lizzie/) ## The Guardian — Jordan Hoffman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 21 January 2018. Festival review. Hoffman finds the film gripping, well acted and sharply written, and sees it as a compelling slow burn about patriarchal abuse. He particularly praises Chloe Sevigny’s performance and the tenderness in her scenes with Kristen Stewart. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jan/21/lizzie-review-chloe-sevigny-kristen-stewart-gruesome-lesbian-axe-murder-borden) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 January 2018. Festival review. Felperin calls the film an elegant, sensitive, and stylish take on the Lizzie Borden legend, though its tonal shifts may divide viewers. She particularly praises Chloë Sevigny’s performance and the sensuous atmosphere created by the cinematography. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/lizzie-review-1076232/) ## Empire — Liz Moody Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 14 December 2018. The critic finds the film absorbing and well acted, but says it loses its grip as it becomes sensationalistic. Sevigny and Stewart’s compelling central performances are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/lizzie-review/) ## Screen Daily — Anthony Kaufman Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 20 January 2018. Festival review. The review's verdict is unavailable because the article text is behind a paywall. The accessible page provides no detail about what the critic praised or criticized. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/lizzie-sundance-review/5125758.article) ## The AV Club — Katie Rife Rating C+. 13 September 2018. Rife finds the film dull and structurally confused despite its promising premise. She singles out Kristen Stewart’s passionate performance, while criticizing the slow setup and poorly timed tension. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/for-a-tale-full-of-blood-and-sexual-tension-lizzie-is-1829042820) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland Rating C-. 20 January 2018. Festival review. The critic finds the film listless, with its central romance failing to generate the passion needed to support its story. She praises the cinematography and the restrained, non-exploitative handling of a striking nude scene. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/lizzie-review-chloe-sevigny-kristen-stewart-murder-borden-1201919007/) ## Little White Lies — Monica Castillo Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). Festival review. Castillo finds the film uneven, with its suggestive premise and contrived plot keeping it from fully committing to camp. She praises the costume and production design and finds its exploration of the employer-servant power dynamic most compelling. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/festivals/lizzie-sundance-review) ## Radio Times — Victoria Luxford Rating 2/5. Luxford finds the film initially atmospheric but ultimately slow and dull. She praises Chloë Sevigny’s performance, while faulting the drawn-out plot for draining impact from the finale. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-tzs6kr/lizzie/) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 12 September 2018. Walsh finds the film methodical and measured to a fault, with its seriousness leaving the story too subdued. She praises the sound design, which makes the Borden home feel like a character. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-lizzie-review-20180912-story.html) ## Variety — Amy Nicholson Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 20 January 2018. Festival review. Nicholson finds the film’s feminist reimagining compelling in its performances and visuals, but ultimately ham-handed and dramatically weak. She particularly praises Noah Greenberg’s cinematography, while criticizing the repetitive murder scenes and underdeveloped third act. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/sundance-film-review-lizzie-1202671035/) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2018. Festival review. Edelstein finds the film bloodless and underpaced, despite its timely feminist framing. He praises Jamey Sheridan’s performance and the sound design of the ax blows. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2018/09/review-lizzie-borden-biopic-lizzie-is-a-little-bloodless.html) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 13 September 2018. The critic finds the film a haunting, provocative romance and praises its portrayal of women constrained by patriarchy. They single out the cinematography and the affecting performances by Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/lizzie-film-review-chloe-sevigny-kristen-stewart/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating B-. 14 September 2018. Festival review. Goldberg finds the film a cold, remote missed opportunity that never develops its ideas about gender and power. He praises the electric chemistry between the leads, especially Chloë Sevigny’s performance. [Read the review](https://collider.com/lizzie-review-kristen-stewart-chloe-sevigny/) ## Consequence — Dominick Suzanne-Mayer Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 September 2018. The critic finds the film compelling and thoughtful, though not especially exciting. They praise the delicate performances of Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart, particularly the tension and restraint in their relationship. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2018/09/film-review-lizzie/) ## /Film — Ben Pearson Rating 7/10. 22 January 2018. Festival review. The critic finds the film fascinating and ferocious, praising its feminist reimagining of Lizzie Borden’s story. They single out the strong performances by Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart, whose connection gives the drama its emotional force. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/555787/lizzie-review/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). Festival review. The critic finds Lizzie an absorbing, potent drama, though it becomes tedious after the murders. They single out the performances and the tension built through the plotting and unsettling score. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/lizzie-review/) ## Den of Geek — Lou Thomas Rating 3/5. 18 December 2018. The review finds the film thoughtful but too reserved and ultimately undercooked. It praises the sensitive portrayal of Borden and Sullivan’s relationship, while wishing the film brought more heat to the story. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/lizzie-review-an-undercooked-historical-horror/) ## Eye for Film — Owen Van Spall Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 28 October 2018. The review finds the film timely and effective in depicting Lizzie’s oppression, though ultimately more dogged than devastating. It praises Chloë Sevigny’s performance and the painfully touching bond between Lizzie and Bridget. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/lizzie-2018-film-review-by-owen-van-spall) ## Paste — Andy Crump Rating 3.0. 17 September 2018. Crump finds the film banal and frustratingly self-serious. He faults its sluggish pacing and its refusal to embrace the lurid genre potential of its story. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/lizzie/lizzie) --- © 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/lizzie.md