--- title: "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/maleficent-mistress-of-evil/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/maleficent-mistress-of-evil" critics_score: 47 critics_reviews: 24 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." --- # Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 47 from 24 reviews: 2 positive, 11 mixed, 11 negative. The consensus on Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is mixed to negative, with most critics finding more to enjoy in its cast than its storytelling. Praise centres on Angelina Jolie’s commanding, camp performance and Michelle Pfeiffer’s relish for villainy, particularly when the two share the screen. Even several unfavourable reviews find pleasures in the costumes, fantasy settings and visual effects, though these rarely compensate for what critics describe as an overcrowded, poorly focused sequel. The main reservations concern muddled plotting, uneven tone and spectacle that leaves Maleficent herself with too little to do. The spread is wide: Eye for Film offers an enthusiastic dissent, praising the excitement and women-led story while finding it less moving than its predecessor. Variety takes a sharply opposing view, finding the fantasy warfare oppressive and Jolie’s character sidelined. Elsewhere, critics divide over whether the expanded fairy world supplies welcome invention or merely adds distractions. ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2019. O’Hara finds the sequel an improvement, though it remains overstuffed and too busy to match its leading lady. She praises Michelle Pfeiffer’s compelling villain and the film’s beautifully orchestrated finale. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/maleficent-mistress-of-evil/) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2019. The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. Its standfirst highlights Jolie’s return and Pfeiffer’s pursuit. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-review/5143315.article) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 17 October 2019. The page content is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the available text. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/17/movies/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-review.html) ## IndieWire — Eric Kohn Rating C+. 15 October 2019. Kohn finds the film’s story heavy-handed and familiar, though its visual spectacle offers some appeal. He singles out Angelina Jolie’s flamboyant, fearsome performance as the movie’s strongest feature. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-review-angelina-jolie-1202181556/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Rating 3/5. 18 October 2019. O'Sullivan finds the sequel enjoyable but uneven, concluding it avoids ruining a brilliant character. She praises the gorgeous underwater shots and the film’s nightmare-like depiction of fairies being slaughtered. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-review-angelina-jolies-wicked-super-fairy-is-evil-ution-in-action-a4264931.html) ## Time Out — Tomris Laffly Rating 3/5. 13 October 2019. The critic finds the sequel overstuffed but sees a worthy reason for it to exist. They single out the head-to-head between Michelle Pfeiffer and Angelina Jolie. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/maleficent-mistress-of-evil) ## The AV Club — Jesse Hassenger Rating C. 15 October 2019. The critic finds the sequel a mildly enjoyable but inert fantasy whose themes and dramatic turns are undermined by kid-friendly zaniness. They praise some inspired supporting details, especially the strange castle subordinates and the secret fairyland’s visual design. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/angelina-jolie-is-less-mistress-of-evil-than-one-liner-1839045941) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2019. Chang finds the sequel messy and overblown, though it has moments of unusual fun. He praises Michelle Pfeiffer’s glowering performance and the plot’s gleeful derangement. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-10-15/review-maleficent-mistress-of-evil-angelina-jolie) ## Little White Lies — Elena Lazic Rating 2/2/2. 16 October 2019. Lazic finds the sequel muddled and misguided, ultimately a waste of everyone’s time. She particularly criticizes its clumsy use of Holocaust imagery and genocide as plot elements. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/maleficent-mistress-of-evil) ## Radio Times — Victoria Luxford Rating 2/5. The review gives the film two stars and says its biggest selling point is the chance to see Angelina Jolie and Michelle Pfeiffer command the screen. It also notes that the film expands the original’s world through a bombardment of spectacle. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-pe4dn9/maleficent-mistress-of-evil/) ## The i Paper — Joseph Walsh Rating ★★. 18 October 2019. Walsh finds the sequel overstuffed, shallow and soporific, with too few entertaining moments to make it worthwhile. He praises Angelina Jolie’s wickedly camp performance and singles out her comic-chemistry showdown with Michelle Pfeiffer. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-review-angelina-jolie-sequel-elle-fanning-michelle-pfeiffer-352133) ## Total Film — Matt Maytum Rating 2/5. 15 October 2019. The critic finds the sequel uninspired and unnecessary, with too little Maleficent to justify its existence. They praise its sweeping visuals and fantasy world, but say weak foundations undermine its emotional impact. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-review/) ## Sight and Sound — Violet Lucca Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 17 October 2019. Lucca finds the sequel bombastic and repetitive, with only passing pleasures. She singles out Michelle Pfeiffer’s nasty, bejewelled queen and the strange, culturally blended fairy haven. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/maleficent-mistress-evil-review-michelle-pfeiffer-makes-fairies-go-boom) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2019. Bradshaw finds the sequel disappointing, saying it runs out of narrative steam and sinks into a generic CGI battle. He praises Jolie and Fanning for committing to their performances despite the weak material. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/oct/15/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-review-panto-fun-is-missing-in-action) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2019. McCarthy finds the sequel formulaic and mechanically staged, with little dramatic tension despite its predictable commercial appeal. He singles out Angelina Jolie’s intriguing, ambiguous Maleficent as the film’s main distinction. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/maleficent-mistress-evil-review-1244816/) ## Vulture — Angelica Jade Bastién Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 16 October 2019. The critic finds the sequel a haphazard, disappointing mess that squanders its performers. She praises Jolie and Pfeiffer’s charismatic performances, while faulting the film’s CGI fixation and muddled storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/10/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-movie-review-angelina-jolie.html) ## Slant Magazine — Pat Brown Rating 1/4. 15 October 2019. The critic finds the sequel cynical, tiresome, and ultimately empty. They single out its conversion of thorny folklore into functional action-hero effects as a key failure. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review-maleficent-mistress-of-evil-transforms-thorny-folklore-into-fluff/) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 10/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2019. Debruge pans the sequel as an ugly, unpleasant slog that turns Maleficent into a pawn in an overcrowded fantasy war. He praises Angelina Jolie’s formidable screen presence and vampy fashion, but faults the messy story and oppressive visual design. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-review-angelina-jolie-1203365992/) ## Eye for Film — Jane Fae Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 October 2019. The critic calls it a great, exciting film, though less moving than its predecessor. She praises Maleficent’s climactic display of power and the film’s women-led story. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-2019-film-review-by-jane-fae) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 72/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds it a fun, visually spectacular sequel with a strong message, despite some issues being too on-the-nose. They praise Angelina Jolie’s layered performance but fault the overlong, tonally discordant showdown. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-review-angelina-jolie/) ## Digital Spy — Ian Sandwell Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2019. Sandwell calls it a superior, often fun sequel, though it falls short of its potential. He praises the sparring between Angelina Jolie and Michelle Pfeiffer, while finding the fairy-world subplot dull. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a29414075/maleficent-2-review-mistress-of-evil-angelina-jolie/) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 2.5 out of 5. 15 October 2019. Kaye finds the sequel predictable and narratively pointless, despite its occasional visual appeal. He singles out the expanded production design and Maleficent’s striking wings and fiery effects for praise. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-review-angelina-jolie/) ## /Film — Hoai-Tran Bui Rating 5/10. 15 October 2019. Bui finds the ambitious sequel overstuffed and tonally confused, ultimately ending with a thud. She praises Jolie’s performance and the impressive visual spectacle of the battle sequences. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/569761/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-review/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2019. The critic finds the sequel diminished, with a less compelling story and a softened central character. The elaborate costumes stand out as its strongest feature. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/maleficent-mistress-of-evil-film-review-2-sequel-angelina-jolie/) --- © 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/maleficent-mistress-of-evil.md