--- title: "Nine Queens: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/nine-queens/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/nine-queens" critics_score: 80 critics_reviews: 12 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." --- # Nine Queens (2000): what the critics said Critics' score 80 from 12 reviews: 9 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find Nine Queens a clever, entertaining con thriller, with praise concentrated on its intricate screenplay and lively performances. The escalating swindles sustain tension while leaving space for humour, and Ricardo Darín receives particular attention for his charisma and chemistry with Gastón Pauls. Several reviews also find substance beneath the trickery, pointing to the film’s observations of Argentine society, politics and greed. The direction and photography draw approval for keeping the complicated plotting brisk and clear. The reservations concern how much that plotting can bear. Some critics accept questionable details as part of the pleasure; others find the deception predictable or overcomplicated. Slant Magazine enjoys the performances but regards the story as derivative, singling out Leticia Brédice for special praise. Eye for Film offers the sharpest dissent, finding energy and intrigue but arguing that the accumulated cleverness feels like a cheat. The spread is fairly wide, though enthusiasm clearly predominates. ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 9 September 2001. Festival review. McCarthy praises the film as a clever, superbly acted suspenser with an exceptionally engaging plot. He singles out the screenplay’s escalating swindles and Darin’s charismatic performance as Marcos. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2001/film/reviews/nine-queens-1200469988/) ## Empire — Matthew Turner Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Turner gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, calling it one of the year's most enjoyable films. He especially praises its performances, snappy photography and razor-sharp, twist-filled script. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/nine-queens-review/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The critic calls it an exceptionally entertaining, clever film. They single out its suspenseful con-game plotting and unobtrusive direction against an unfamiliar Buenos Aires backdrop. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/stinging-look-at-argentina-7432998.html) ## IndieWire — Brandon Judell Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 15 April 2002. The critic gives the film a strongly positive verdict, finding it even more compelling on a second viewing. They praise its intricate plotting, lively performances, and sharp observations of Argentine society. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-argentina-undercover-bielinskys-clever-nine-queens-80440/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kevin Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 19 April 2002. Thomas gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, praising its clever, funny con-man story and sustained tension. He especially singles out Ricardo Darin’s performance and the lively chemistry between him and Gaston Pauls. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-apr-19-et-queens19-story.html) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 10 July 2025. Bradshaw calls the film outstanding, praising its deliciously cynical double-dealing and enduring questions about greed. He singles out the final-credits payoff as an amusing finish. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jul/10/nine-queens-review-fabian-bielinskys-brilliant-grifter-classic-offers-masterclass-in-double-dealing) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 4/5. 12 July 2002. The review is strongly positive, calling the film smart and propulsive. It singles out the nimble performances and the political dimension beneath the caper plot. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/nine-queens-review/) ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 17 April 2002. Phipps regards the film as a fine con picture whose poetic logic makes up for plot details that do not always stand to reason. He praises its portrayal of con artistry as a lifestyle with existential implications. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/nine-queens-1798196431) ## Time Out — NB Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). The review presents the film as accomplished, highly entertaining thriller fare. It singles out the film’s tricksy construction and sting-in-the-tail payoff. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/nine-queens) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 31 March 2001. Festival review. The headline identifies this as a film-festival review of Nine Queens. The blocked page provides no critic verdict or specific praise to summarize. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/31/movies/film-festival-review-well-who-s-the-joker-now.html) ## Slant Magazine — Ed Gonzalez Rating 2.5/4. 23 October 2001. Gonzalez finds the film entertaining but overly derivative, with little at stake beyond an easily anticipated double-cross. He praises Ricardo Darín and Gastón Pauls, while singling out Leticia Brédice as the film’s true star. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/nine-queens/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 18 July 2002. The critic finds the film energetic and intriguing, but says its cleverness eventually becomes convoluted and feels like a cheat. The layered deception is singled out as the source of its intrigue, though the characters’ early scams are not especially enthralling. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/nine-queens-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © 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/nine-queens.md