--- title: "Magic Mike's Last Dance: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/magic-mikes-last-dance/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/magic-mikes-last-dance" critics_score: 48 critics_reviews: 16 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." --- # Magic Mike's Last Dance (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 48 from 16 reviews: 3 positive, 4 mixed, 9 negative. Most critics find this a limp end to the series, and the reviews lean heavily negative: nine against, four mixed, three in favour. The reservations cluster around the same decision. Soderbergh drops the ensemble and the bromance for a romance between Tatum and Hayek Pinault, and most reviewers feel the film loses its charge in the exchange, with too much talking, a child’s narration nobody wanted and a plot several compare to Pretty Woman. Several also suspect the whole thing is an advertisement for the live stage show. The praise, where it comes, goes almost entirely to the dancing, and particularly the long theatre climax, which even hostile notices concede is sharply choreographed. Critics split on the leads’ chemistry: Sight and Sound and Paste find it strong, while Radio Times and Total Film see none at all. The AV Club is the outlier, calling it a sexy, sizzling sendoff. The spread is wide, but the centre is plainly disappointed. ## The AV Club Rating B+. 8 February 2023. The critic sees the film as a sexy, sizzling sendoff that ditches bromance for rom-com while delivering outstanding dance moves and strong performances from Tatum and Hayek Pinault. Soderbergh's direction and focus on the story are praised despite some stylistic choices. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/magic-mikes-last-dance-movie-review-1850076268) ## Film Comment — Mark Asch, Beatrice Loayza, Devika Girish Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 1 February 2023. The piece discusses the film as an attempt to synthesize the themes of the prior Magic Mike entries through romance, performance, and commerce, with mixed feelings about its focus on heterosexual romance and lack of character depth for the dancers compared to earlier films. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/one-more-time-magic-mikes-last-dance-steven-soderbergh-review/) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 9 February 2023. The critic finds the film stranded in emotional ambiguity by not fully committing to either screwball antics or deeper analysis of codependency, resulting in a tonally confused romantic comedy. Some praise goes to the choreography, camera work, and interpretative dance in the climax. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/magic-mikes-last-dance-review-steven-soderbergh-channing-tatum/) ## Little White Lies — Hannah Strong Rating 3/2/5. 8 February 2023. The critic finds it a frustratingly underwhelming and unsexy threequel that abandons the ensemble camaraderie for a half-baked romance and poor execution, missing the charisma and spectacle of previous entries. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/magic-mikes-last-dance) ## Radio Times — James Mottram Rating 2/5. 9 February 2023. The critic describes it as a foolhardy fantasy lacking spark or sizzle, with non-existent chemistry and no grit, a limp end to the series. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/magic-mikes-last-dance-review/) ## Total Film — Kate Stables Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 7 February 2023. The critic describes it as a glossy but fluffy threequel that loses magic when focusing on romance over dance. She notes a disappointing lack of chemistry between the leads but highlights the solid 30-minute theatre dance climax. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/magic-mikes-last-dance-review/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 7 February 2023. The critic argues the film never achieves satisfaction as a mix of show-putting-on and romantic comedy, with intellectualizing draining the energy and Mike failing to hold up his side of a love story. The shift from fantasy figure to conventional protagonist is seen as the core problem. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/magic-mikes-last-dance-review-why-mike-shouldnt-date.html) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 8 February 2023. The critic calls it the ‘Bodfather Part III’, a dour, downbeat repudiation of the fun, missing the ensemble chemistry, with a half-hearted love story and feeling like a cash-in, though the dance sequences have charge. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/magic-mikes-last-dance-2023) ## Empire — Ella Kemp Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 8 February 2023. The review calls the film a misguided screwball narrative that feels more like a rom-com than a seductive Magic Mike picture. It praises the advertisement value for the live show but complains about too much talking and clumsy pacing. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/magic-mikes-last-dance/) ## The i Paper — Christina Newland Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 8 February 2023. The critic finds the film a disappointing mess that lacks the spontaneity and silliness of the previous entry. She singles out a few strong moments like the opening dance and rain-soaked finale but notes the plot and dialogue fall flat. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/magic-mike-last-dance-review-channing-tatum-charming-2135866) ## Financial Times — Leslie Felperin Rating ★★☆☆☆. 9 February 2023. Like an applause-thirsty band returning for an unwanted encore, the film delivers lots of dry-humping and package-waving presented as a dance show. The critic suggests the creators should know when to quit while ahead and get off the stage with grace. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/c938cd48-572c-4e40-8252-d4f7fb6ae2e9) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang 7 February 2023. The sequel shifts toward long-term romance and female desire while exploring gender parity. It is sweetly romantic but doesn't quite stick the landing. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-02-07/magic-mikes-last-dance-review-channing-tatum-salma-hayek) ## Screen Daily 7 February 2023. The critic says it ends on a muted note, lacking inspiration and spark of earlier pictures but feels measured, with Tatum bowing out gracefully. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/magic-mikes-last-dance-review/5178744.article) ## Sight and Sound 8 February 2023. The critic finds the leads charismatic with great chemistry but deems the film a muddled, shallow sequel that struggles to feel coordinated or plausible, with little substance in characters or narrative. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/magic-mikes-last-dance-sizzling-chemistry-cant-save-this-muddled-shallow-sequel) ## The Guardian — Wendy Ide 11 February 2023. The third instalment feels unexpectedly flabby due to its lazy formula, absence of supporting character development and incongruous child narration. It remains a diverting way to pass a couple of hours for those tolerant of montages and priapic antics. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/feb/11/magic-mikes-last-dance-review-steven-soderbergh-directs-more-groin-grinding-antics-channing-tatum-salma-hayek) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Lovia Gyarkye 7 February 2023. The critic finds the film a frustrating disappointment that strays too far from its roots, replacing the series' debauchery and capitalism critique with basic gender theory and vague eroticism. Some initial chemistry between Hayek and Tatum and Soderbergh's direction are noted as positives, but the film is seen as baggy and deflated overall. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/magic-mikes-last-dance-channing-tatum-salma-hayek-1235315992/) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody 17 February 2023. Mike is recruited for a private dance and tasked with turning a play into a strip show in London. The movie feels forced and cynical with little logic or flair. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/magic-mikes-last-dance) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott 8 February 2023. The film focuses on Mike catering to one woman's desires in a story about lust and ambition. It praises the leads' chemistry while noting the romance lacks rhythm. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/08/movies/magic-mikes-last-dance-review.html) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★☆☆☆. 7 February 2023. This lackadaisical threequel has abandoned authenticity to become a gender-flipped Pretty Woman reboot welded to an interminable stage-show megamix. Soderbergh seems uninterested in storytelling and delivers a final act that is bland, overlong and mostly features wannabe Backstreet Boys doing pirouettes in their pants. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/magic-mikes-last-dance-review-channing-tatum-pirouettes-in-his-pants-f7rmp0d6v) ## Variety — Peter Debruge 7 February 2023. The toothless sequel strips away supporting cast and bite, leaving Mike as a private dancer in a far-fetched romance. It is soft and in-name-only compared to predecessors. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/magic-mikes-last-dance-review-channing-tatum-salma-hayek-1235511356/) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating B-. 9 February 2023. The review finds the film the weakest in the trilogy but still enjoyable as Soderbergh and Tatum experiment with the characters and bid farewell to the series. It praises the chemistry and dance sequences while noting clunky plotting and a lack of the prior films' camaraderie. [Read the review](https://collider.com/magic-mikes-last-dance-review/) ## Polygon — katie-rife Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 7 February 2023. The critic describes the film as evolving the series' fantasy into a kept-man story that feels like a stage musical with heightened romance and spectacle. It praises the shift toward women's pleasure and consent themes but notes that complicating the simple appeal with love and money dilutes the fun. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23588352/magic-mikes-last-dance-review-channing-tatum/) ## Digital Spy — Gabriella Geisinger Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 9 February 2023. The review finds the film a toe-dip into empowerment themes that feels shallow and unfulfilled, though it praises Tatum's sensual performance and notes it provides a good time in the moment despite lacking grit or depth from prior entries. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a42813767/magic-mikes-last-dance-review/) ## /Film — Rafael Motamayor Rating 6/10. 9 February 2023. The critic finds it a disappointing end to the trilogy, criticizing the dull romance with paper-thin characters, lame narration, and puritan dance numbers that feel like an ad for the live show. The dancing is stunning but lacks the expected sexiness and fun. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1193877/magic-mikes-last-dance-review-a-disappointing-final-entry/) ## NME — Nick Levine Rating 2/5. 9 February 2023. The critic calls it a cheap-feeling threequel where Soderbergh goes through the motions and the script runs out of ideas, borrowing from Pretty Woman without much payoff, though the climax delivers pin-sharp stripping choreography. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/magic-mikes-last-dance-review-channing-tatum-3395477) ## The Ringer Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 10 February 2023. The review sees the trilogy end on a letdown, with the London setting and romance diluting what made prior entries distinctive. It singles out the unconvincing arc for Mike and weak chemistry with Hayek as key shortcomings amid some entertaining moments. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2023/02/10/movies/magic-mikes-last-dance-review) ## Deadline — Valerie Complex 7 February 2023. The film is a serviceable third installment in the franchise with electric dance numbers and charming performances from Tatum and Hayek. It falters by shifting focus from character study to the dances themselves and lacks a proper ending that ties the series together. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2023/02/magic-mikes-last-dance-review-channing-tatum-salma-hayek-1235252188/) ## Paste — Tara Bennett Rating 7.1. 7 February 2023. The critic calls it an unabashedly romantic fairy tale that delivers strong chemistry between Tatum and Hayek Pinault along with stellar choreography in the finale. It notes the middle section meanders and feels cheesy but ultimately rewards viewers with its celebration of adult desire. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/steven-soderbergh/magic-mikes-last-dance-review) ## The Wrap 7 February 2023. Soderbergh’s threequel delivers neither style nor substance, devolving into a toned-down spectacle with a tired faux-feminist message that feels gutless and forgettable. Tatum and Hayek are winsome, and the direction occasionally recalls the franchise’s indie roots, but the elevated approach has a dulling effect overall. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/magic-mikes-last-dance-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/magic-mikes-last-dance.md