---
title: "News of the World"
year: 2020
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/news-of-the-world"
fi1m_id: "news-of-the-world"
imdb_id: "tt6878306"
tmdb_id: 581032
wikidata_id: "Q73537408"
fi1m_score: 65
critics_score: 67
critics_reviews: 27
published: "2026-09-24T22:45:19.119935+00:00"
updated: "2026-09-24T22:45:19.692000+00:00"
region: "NL"
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."
---

# News of the World (2020)

Directed by Paul Greengrass · 1h 58m · Kijkwijzer 16 · Drama, Western, Adventure

## Identity

News of the World

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/news-of-the-world
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** news-of-the-world
- **IMDb ID:** tt6878306
- **TMDB ID:** 581032
- **Wikidata ID:** Q73537408
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6878306/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/581032, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73537408

**Fi1m score: 65** · Critics 67 from 27 reviews

*In a sentence:* Tom Hanks reads the newspaper to angry strangers for a dime and Texas is still not sure about him

> Paul Greengrass slows down for a Western and finds a remarkable young actor in Helena Zengel. The rest is handsome and honourable and moves at a walk, and only one shootout on a ridge reminds us who is directing.

## Synopsis

Texas, 1870. Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks), a Confederate veteran who once ran a print shop, travels from town to town reading newspapers aloud for ten cents a head. On the road out of Wichita Falls he finds an overturned wagon, a lynched man and a girl hiding in the brush. Johanna Leonberger (Helena Zengel) was born to German settlers, raised by the Kiowa after her parents were killed, and has now lost that family too; the papers with her say she belongs to an aunt and uncle near Castroville, hundreds of miles south. The army will not take her. Kidd does, and in Dallas an ex-soldier named Almay (Michael Angelo Covino) offers to buy her, and follows when he is refused.

## Review

Paul Greengrass, who made his name shaking a camera through *Bloody Sunday* and the Bourne films, sits it on a tripod for this one. Texas, 1870. Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks) rides from town to town reading newspapers aloud to anyone with ten cents, and on the road he finds a wagon, a body and a girl. Johanna (Helena Zengel) was born German, raised Kiowa, and has now lost both families; the papers with her say she belongs to an aunt and uncle near Castroville. Kidd tries to hand her to the army and ends up taking her himself.

Zengel is the reason to watch it. She plays Johanna without a word of English for most of the running time, speaking Kiowa and, later, a little German, and she never once asks us to like her. She eats with her hands, bolts at the sound of a wagon wheel, sings to the dead, and looks at Hanks the way a cat looks at a stranger’s hand. When she and Kidd start trading words for things, bird and horse and bread, the film finds a rhythm it never quite loses.

Hanks does what Hanks does, a little lower and quieter than usual. Kidd is a printer by trade with something in San Antonio he keeps not talking about, and the readings are the best of him: standing on a box, glasses on, giving a room of tired men a mine disaster in Pennsylvania and a fever outbreak down south, and knowing exactly when to pause. Between towns the script gives him less than it thinks.

Dariusz Wolski shoots it wide and low, the grass the colour of old rope, the sky doing most of the work. He keeps the two of them small in the frame, a wagon on a hillside with weather coming. David Crank’s towns are mud and raw plank, with Union soldiers in the street five years after the surrender and nobody pleased about it. James Newton Howard’s score is strings and a sparse piano, mostly held back; it swells when the road opens out, and we could have done without the last bar of most of those swells.

Then, on a ridge, the old Greengrass turns up. Almay (Michael Angelo Covino), the ex-soldier who tried to buy the girl in Dallas, follows them out of town with two friends, and for ten minutes the film becomes what its director does better than almost anyone: a fight in real space, where the distances matter, with a shotgun, too few shells and a child who turns out to be more use than expected. William Goldenberg cuts it fast and clean and we sat forward for the first time. We were properly gripped.

The middle hour is where it sags. There is a county run by a man named Farley (Thomas Francis Murphy) who prints his own newspaper and would like Kidd to read it, and the film’s point about who gets to tell the news is made so plainly that nobody in the audience could miss it, which is presumably the idea. There is a dust storm. We were restless, and a little annoyed at being restless in front of pictures this good.

Against the Westerns it borrows from, this is a gentle one. [*True Grit*](https://film.one/film/true-grit) gave its girl a tongue and its man a bottle; *The Searchers* let its hero be poisonous. Kidd is neither, and Greengrass, who made [*United 93*](https://film.one/film/united-93) without a single soft edge, has made a film in which nearly every edge is soft. And yet the last ten minutes, which we will not describe, caught us out. We had been dry-eyed for a hundred minutes and were suddenly not, and the credit belongs to Zengel’s face and to Hanks for letting it have the scene.

It runs 118 minutes and carries a 12, and there is nothing in it a twelve-year-old should not see, including one body hanging from a tree that the film is right not to cut away from. Watch it on a quiet night when you want a film to treat you decently. It will not surprise you, and it does not intend to.

*Fi1m score 65, published 24 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics like News of the World, though rarely with much heat. The praise clusters around Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel: his understated, decent Captain Kidd, her fierce and off-kilter Johanna, and above all the bond that grows between them, which nearly every review names as the reason to watch. The widescreen Texas landscapes come next, admired even by critics who dislike the film, and a few single out James Newton Howard’s score.

Where they part is over whether anything happens between the vistas. The mixed reviews find the story predictable, safe and a little slow, an old-fashioned Western that never surprises. The negatives go further: The Guardian finds it stolid and rarely alive as drama, Variety finds it handsome but dull, and Slant thinks its parable of a divided nation preachy and simplistic. The spread is wide, from warm raves to flat dismissals, but the middle settles on modest, comfortable approval.

## Straight answers

**Is News of the World worth watching?**

*News of the World* is worth watching if you want a handsome, gentle Western that treats you decently, and we scored it 65. Helena Zengel, playing a girl raised by the Kiowa with barely a word of English, is the reason to see it, and one shootout on a ridge shows what Paul Greengrass can do. The middle hour sags, and the film will not surprise you.

**How long is News of the World, and what is it rated?**

*News of the World* runs 1h 58m and is rated 16 by the Kijkwijzer in the Netherlands. It is a drama and western film.

**Where can I watch News of the World in the Netherlands?**

*News of the World* is streaming on Netflix in the Netherlands. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does News of the World compare to True Grit?**

*News of the World* is the gentler of the two, and [*True Grit*](https://film.one/film/true-grit) is the better film. The Coens give their girl a sharp tongue and their gunman a bottle, and the result is funnier and sterner; Greengrass pairs a near-silent child with a decent man and leaves almost no hard edges. Choose *True Grit* for bite and *News of the World* for a quiet night.

**Is News of the World based on a true story or a book?**

*News of the World* is based on the novel by Paulette Jiles, not on a true story. The setting is Texas in 1870, five years after the Confederate surrender, and Captain Kidd's trade of reading newspapers aloud for ten cents a head comes from the book. You do not need to have read it; the film explains itself as it goes.

**What should I watch after News of the World?**

After *News of the World*, try [*True Grit*](https://film.one/film/true-grit) (2010, Fi1m 84): The Coens’ girl-and-gunman Western, with a sharper child and a drunker man. Then [*The Homesman*](https://film.one/film/the-homesman) (2014, Fi1m 72): Tommy Lee Jones’s frontier road film, harder on the West and on its men.

### Reviews we read (27)

- **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (90/100, inferred): Ebiri gives the film a strongly positive verdict, calling it hauntingly gorgeous and praising Tom Hanks’s moving performance. He also singles out the film’s expansive vistas and James Newton Howard’s sweeping score. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-news-of-the-world-a-western-with-tom-hanks.html)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney (85/100, inferred): Rooney finds the film soulful, affecting, and gently resonant, praising its intimate story of two people finding trust amid division. He singles out the nuanced performances by Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel, especially their shifting dynamic. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/news-of-the-world-film-review-4103199/)
- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (4/5): O’Sullivan finds the film daring and often world-class, though its attempt to find middle ground does not always succeed. She especially praises Helena Zengel’s off-kilter poise and enchanting performance. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/news-of-the-world-netflix-review-tom-hanks-western-b900750.html)
- **Radio Times**, Terry Staunton (4/5): The review calls the film an evocative, atmospheric Western that remains faithful to genre conventions. It particularly praises the stunning photography and Tom Hanks’s reserved performance. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-uwvlu3/news-of-the-world/)
- **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (4/5): The review calls the film an emotional, soulful western. It praises the performances of Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/news-of-the-world)
- **The i Paper**, Geoffrey Macnab (78/100, inferred): Macnab finds the film a handsome, moving western that renews familiar genre material with a contemporary perspective. He particularly praises Tom Hanks’s understated, layered performance and the convincing bond between Hanks’s character and the child. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/news-of-the-world-netflix-review-tom-hanks-western-864955)
- **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich (B): Ehrlich finds the Western modest and emotionally uneven, but morally forceful in its portrait of a divided nation. He praises Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel’s performances, especially their grounded portrayal of two rootless characters seeking a home. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/news-of-the-world-review-1234603824/)
- **Empire**, Ian Freer (75/100, inferred): Freer finds the film less gripping than Greengrass’s best work, but expansive, beautifully made, and quietly powerful. He especially praises the performances of Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel, whose characters’ journey gives the story its emotional force. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/news-of-the-world/)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Brian Tallerico (3/4): Tallerico gives the film a positive but measured review. He singles out Tom Hanks’s performance and the film’s carefully crafted Western atmosphere. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/news-of-the-world-movie-review-2020)
- **Screen Daily**, Fionnuala Halligan (64/100, inferred): The page identifies this as a review of the 2020 film, but the critic’s verdict is unavailable behind the access prompt. The visible standfirst only notes Hanks, Greengrass and Universal, without identifying a specific praise or complaint. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/news-of-the-world-review/5155579.article)
- **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis (64/100, inferred): The article text is inaccessible, so its verdict cannot be determined. Its specific praise or criticism likewise cannot be verified. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/24/movies/news-of-the-world-review-tom-hanks.html)
- **Little White Lies**, Charles Bramesco (3/3/3): Bramesco finds the film handsomely mounted but staid and overly safe. He praises Helena Zengel as a magnificent find and notes how Tom Hanks’s reassuring presence suits the story. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/news-of-the-world)
- **Total Film**, Erlingur Einarsson (3/5): The review finds the film worthwhile for its fine lead performances, though its plot has problems. It praises the emotionally potent moments between Kidd and Johanna but faults the film’s stereotypes and simplistic build-up. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/news-of-the-world-review-netflix/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang (55/100, inferred): Chang finds the western sensitive and skillfully told, but ultimately less than wholly convincing. He praises Helena Zengel’s performance and rapport with Tom Hanks, while faulting the film for treating her character as a problem to be solved. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-12-11/news-of-the-world-review-tom-hanks)
- **Sight and Sound**, BFI (45/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a decent but overly restrained drama that never quite takes flight. They praise its landscape cinematography and note that genuine emotion emerges late in the story. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/news-world-paul-greengrass-tom-hanks-paula-jiles-adaptation-post-civil-war-reconstruction-fable)
- **Slant Magazine**, Chuck Bowen (1.5/4): Bowen finds the film monotonously preachy and its uplifting parable too simplistic. He singles out the lynched man’s removal as its most haunting detail, while criticizing the leads’ underdeveloped inner lives. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/news-of-the-world-review-tom-hanks/)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (30/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds the western stolid and bland, rarely coming dramatically alive. He praises the tense chase scene, where Greengrass’s action skills flare up and Hanks’s decency is tested. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/feb/05/news-of-the-world-review-tom-hanks-rides-straight-down-the-middle)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (30/100, inferred): Debruge finds the film gorgeous but dull, with little suspense or incident along its journey. He praises Helena Zengel’s defiant performance and the widescreen Texas landscapes, while faulting the film’s unengaging pacing. [Read](https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/news-of-the-world-review-tom-hanks-1234850145/)
- **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (B+): Goldberg finds the film a warm, comforting Western with an earnest message about communication and healing. He praises Tom Hanks’s convincing decency and the film’s sweeping landscape imagery. [Read](https://collider.com/news-of-the-world-review-tom-hanks/)
- **Paste**, Andy Crump (8.3/10): Crump finds the film a handsome, pleasantly old-fashioned crowd-pleaser. He especially praises Helena Zengel’s transformation and the chemistry she shares with Tom Hanks. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/tom-hanks/news-of-the-world-review)
- **Den of Geek**, David Crow (4/5): Crow finds the film tender, inviting, and satisfying, despite its predictable path and occasional awkward thematic clashes. He particularly praises Helena Zengel’s compelling performance alongside Tom Hanks. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/news-of-the-world-review-tom-hanks-western/)
- **Eye for Film**, Jennie Kermode (76/100, inferred): Kermode finds the film a well-told, well-structured western, despite its lack of surprises. She especially praises Helena Zengel’s electric performance and the way she and Tom Hanks work together. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/news-of-the-world-2020-film-review-by-jennie-kermode)
- **Film Stories**, Mark Harrison (75/100, inferred): The critic finds it a robust, unfussy western that is more engaging for its emotional focus, despite a predictable story. They single out Helena Zengel and Tom Hanks, whose performances and empathetic double act bring the film to life. [Read](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/news-of-the-world-review-hanks-and-greengrass-western-drama-lands-on-netflix/)
- **/Film**, Chris Evangelista (7/10): The critic finds the film uneven and predictable, despite its considerable strengths. Tom Hanks’s subtle performance and the storytelling scenes are singled out for praise. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/578319/news-of-the-world-review/)
- **NME** (70/100, inferred): The critic calls it a decent, worthwhile watch and finds its old-school Western approach engaging. They single out the heartwarming pairing of Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel and the film’s sumptuous landscapes for praise. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/news-of-the-world-review-tom-hanks-2877296)
- **The Wrap**, Alonso Duralde (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the film an emotionally engaging Western, though its newspaper-reading and child-rescue storylines never fully converge. They praise the quiet gravitas of Tom Hanks and the intensity Helena Zengel brings to her role. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/news-of-the-world-film-review-tom-hanks-paul-greengrass/)
- **Polygon**, Robert Daniels (65/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a slow, rough-edged but ultimately compelling Western, saved by its lead performances. They single out Helena Zengel’s nuanced portrayal and the film’s faith in storytelling to bridge divisions. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/22169983/news-of-the-world-review-tom-hanks/)

## Details

- **Director:** Paul Greengrass
- **Director:** Paul Greengrass
- **Screenplay:** Paul Greengrass, Luke Davies
- **Novel:** Paulette Jiles
- **Cinematography:** Dariusz Wolski
- **Editor:** William Goldenberg
- **Music:** James Newton Howard
- **Production design:** David Crank
- **Costume design:** Mark Bridges
- **Producer:** Gary Goetzman, Gail Mutrux, Gregory Goodman
- **Cast:** Tom Hanks as Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd; Helena Zengel as Johanna Leonberger; Michael Angelo Covino as Almay; Ray McKinnon as Simon Boudlin; Mare Winningham as Doris Boudlin; Elizabeth Marvel as Mrs. Gannett; Fred Hechinger as John Calley; Bill Camp as Mr. Branholme
- **Runtime:** 1h 58m
- **Certificate (Kijkwijzer):** 16
- **Release (the Netherlands):** 28 January 2021
- **Genres:** Drama, Western, Adventure
- **Budget:** $38 million
- **Box office:** $13 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTZDb_iKooI

## Where to watch in the Netherlands

- Netflix: streaming

*Checked 2026-09-24.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, AZ, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *True Grit* (2010), Fi1m 84: The Coens’ girl-and-gunman Western, with a sharper child and a drunker man. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/true-grit.md)
- *The Searchers* (1956): Ford’s captive-child Western, and the one this film is politely arguing with.
- *Paper Moon* (1973): A con man and a small girl cross Depression Kansas; funnier and just as tender.
- *Kikujiro* (1999): Kitano’s gruff stranger walks a boy across Japan; the same story, played for laughs.
- *The Homesman* (2014), Fi1m 72: Tommy Lee Jones’s frontier road film, harder on the West and on its men. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-homesman.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/news-of-the-world