--- title: "Molly's Game: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/mollys-game/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/mollys-game" critics_score: 66 critics_reviews: 29 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." --- # Molly's Game (2017): what the critics said Critics' score 66 from 29 reviews: 19 positive, 4 mixed, 6 negative. Most critics like Molly’s Game, and nearly all of them like Jessica Chastain. Her performance is the one thing the reviews agree on, called commanding and nuanced even by critics who think little of the film around her. Her scenes with Idris Elba draw the next most praise, and several reviews enjoy the speed of Aaron Sorkin’s dialogue and the brisk early stretch that teaches the audience the poker. The reservations cluster on the writing. Many critics find the narration relentless and the film overlong, and several say the second half softens into explanation and sermon, with a late scene between Molly and her father singled out more than once. The spread is wide, from warm raves to outright dismissals. The Guardian and Little White Lies break from the pack on Chastain herself, finding her delivery flat and stilted, while the Evening Standard rejects the film’s reputation as a feminist fable. ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 22 December 2017. Chang calls the film an energetic, dazzling biopic and praises Jessica Chastain’s nuanced portrayal of Molly Bloom. He also singles out the rapid-fire storytelling and narrative drive, while noting that the movie can feel overlong and overexplained. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-mollys-game-review-20171222-story.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Brian Tallerico Rating 3.5/4. 25 December 2017. The review is broadly positive about Sorkin’s film. It singles out Jessica Chastain’s performance as a particular strength. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mollys-game-2017) ## Radio Times — Terry Staunton Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2017. The review presents the film as enthralling and Chastain as its defining presence. It singles out her performance as the high-stakes poker queen for praise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/mollys-game-review-once-all-the-chips-have-been-counted-this-is-chastains-movie/) ## Time Out — Tomris Laffly Rating 4/5. 20 December 2017. The review praises the film as a smart, compelling showcase for Aaron Sorkin and Jessica Chastain. It singles out their combined talents and the story’s larger-than-life energy. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/mollys-game-1) ## Total Film — Matt Glasby Rating 4/5. 27 December 2017. The critic calls the film a polished, compelling success and predicts awards recognition for Sorkin. Chastain and Elba’s performances stand out, though some musical cues and the father-daughter reconciliation feel overly familiar. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/mollys-game-review/) ## The AV Club — Mike D'Angelo Rating B. 15 December 2017. D’Angelo finds the film entertaining overall, though its strengths and weaknesses reflect Sorkin’s familiar style. He praises Jessica Chastain’s delivery of Sorkin’s rapid-fire dialogue, while faulting a scene in which Molly’s father suddenly psychoanalyzes her. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-good-and-the-bad-of-aaron-sorkin-are-on-full-displa-1821329053) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 9 September 2017. Festival review. Debruge finds the film splashy and entertaining, though its stakes sometimes feel low. He especially praises Jessica Chastain’s forceful performance and the compelling female role Sorkin created for her. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2017/film/festivals/mollys-game-review-jessica-chastain-1202552430/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2017. Festival review. McCarthy finds the film entertaining and skillfully told, though its relentless narration can overwhelm and Molly feels emotionally incomplete. He particularly praises Jessica Chastain’s forceful performance and the film’s energetic momentum. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/mollys-game-review-1037071/) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 December 2017. The critic finds the film an engaging showcase for Sorkin’s fast-paced dialogue, despite its over-narration and tightly controlled responses. He especially praises Jessica Chastain’s performance and the chemistry in her scenes with Idris Elba. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2017/12/mollys-game-review-jessica-chastain-aaron-sorkin.html) ## Screen Daily — Wendy Ide Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 9 September 2017. Festival review. The page identifies this as a Toronto review of *Molly's Game*, but the review text is behind a registration prompt. Its verdict and any specific praise or criticism are unavailable. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/mollys-game-toronto-review/5122181.article) ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 26 December 2017. O’Hara finds the film engaging but ultimately too small and familiar to become a great movie. She praises Jessica Chastain’s nuanced performance, while faulting the film’s murky moral perspective and reluctance to take risks. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/molly-game-review/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte Osullivan Rating 2/5. 21 December 2017. The critic finds the film outrageously self-righteous and rejects its reputation as a feminist fable. She praises Jessica Chastain’s performance but faults the screenplay for softening the celebrity bullies and flattening Molly’s story. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/going-out/mollys-game-review-jessica-chastains-ace-but-this-is-no-feminist-fable-a3724801.html) ## Little White Lies — Manuela Lazic Rating 3/2/2. 20 December 2017. Lazic finds the film entertaining at first but ultimately silly and unsatisfying. She praises Kevin Costner’s lively performance while criticizing Chastain’s stilted acting and Sorkin’s overblown direction. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/mollys-game) ## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole Rating 1.5/4. 10 September 2017. The review finds the film’s social vision stagnant and its themes heavy-handed. It praises Jessica Chastain’s performance and the brisk, assured exposition in the early scenes. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/mollys-game/) ## The New Yorker Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the film lifeless and overpowered by Sorkin’s writing. They fault its superficial treatment of Molly’s intelligence and relationships. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/mollys-game) ## The Guardian — Benjamin Lee Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 9 September 2017. Festival review. Lee finds the film long, rambling and ultimately disappointing. He particularly criticizes Chastain’s flat delivery and the screenplay’s overloaded exposition. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/sep/09/mollys-game-review-toronto-film-festival-tiff) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 16 December 2017. Hammond calls the film one of Sorkin’s greatest and praises his assured directorial debut. He singles out Jessica Chastain’s commanding performance, along with strong work from Idris Elba and Kevin Costner. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2017/12/mollys-game-review-jessica-chastain-aaron-sorkin-idris-elba-kevin-costner-1202227995/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 4.5/5. 11 December 2017. The critic calls the film a near pitch-perfect directorial debut, though Sorkin’s preachiness creeps in late. Jessica Chastain’s commanding performance and quick wit are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/molly-s-game-review/) ## Digital Spy — Rosie Fletcher Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 October 2017. Fletcher finds the film hugely entertaining, emotional and assured, praising its feminist perspective and lively storytelling. She especially singles out Jessica Chastain’s powerful, nuanced performance as Molly Bloom. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a840463/mollys-game-review-aaron-sorkin/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). The review calls the film exhilarating, engaging and confidently directed by Aaron Sorkin. It particularly praises Jessica Chastain’s performance and Sorkin’s handling of the nonlinear story. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/mollys-game-review/) ## Collider — Adam Chitwood Rating B+. 5 January 2018. Festival review. Chitwood finds the film entertaining and calls Sorkin’s directorial debut promising, despite some script problems and excess length. He especially praises Jessica Chastain’s performance and the electric scenes she shares with Idris Elba. [Read the review](https://collider.com/mollys-game-review/) ## Consequence — Sarah Kurchak Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 2 January 2018. Festival review. Kurchak finds the film a successful crime drama with an unusually thoughtful perspective on failure. She praises its nuanced exploration of how luck and hard work shape success. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2018/01/film-review-mollys-game/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 26 December 2017. The review is positive about Sorkin’s focused, tense telling of Molly Bloom’s story. It particularly praises Jessica Chastain’s confidence and Idris Elba’s performance as her lawyer. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/mollys-game-2017-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## /Film — Chris Evangelista Rating 7/10. 10 September 2017. Festival review. The reviewer finds the film exciting overall, despite its uneven second half and excessive narration. Jessica Chastain’s dynamite performance is singled out as the film’s greatest strength. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/553237/mollys-game-review-tiff-2017/) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). The review is positive overall, though it says the film’s momentum sometimes falters. It praises the lively chemistry between Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba, and singles out Kevin Costner’s final confrontation with Chastain as especially affecting. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/mollys-game-jessica-chastain-idris-elba-2205609) ## The Ringer — K. Austin Collins Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 December 2017. The critic finds the film ridiculous and superficial but irresistibly watchable. They praise the riveting confrontations between Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2017/12/26/movies/mollys-game-film-review-jessica-chastain-aaron-sorkin) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The accessible page is an anti-crawler notice, so no critical verdict can be verified. It provides no praise or complaint to attribute to the critic. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/mollys-game-jessica-chastain-review-20170909/) ## Paste — Oktay Ege Kozak Rating 5.5. 1 January 2018. Kozak calls the film a messy, overlong adaptation that struggles to make Molly’s story emotionally engaging. He praises Jessica Chastain’s focused performance and Sorkin’s visual flair, especially in the poker scenes. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/article/mollys-game) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 5 January 2018. The critic finds the film exhilarating at first but ultimately undermined by its overexplained, simplistic second half. They praise Jessica Chastain’s subtle, compelling performance, which is dragged down by the script and male characters speaking for Molly. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/mollys-game-review-jessica-chastain-aaron-sorkin/) --- © 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/mollys-game.md