--- title: "Ordinary Angels: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/ordinary-angels/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/ordinary-angels" critics_score: 62 critics_reviews: 10 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." --- # Ordinary Angels (2024): what the critics said Critics' score 62 from 10 reviews: 4 positive, 4 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics find Ordinary Angels a decent, old-fashioned true-story drama, and even those who resist it concede the real events are hard to argue with. The praise clusters almost entirely on Hilary Swank, whose performance is called nuanced, forceful and naturalistic by reviewers on both sides of the verdict. Alan Ritchson gets credit from several for carrying the dramatic weight opposite her. The reservations are about everything around the performances. The film is called predictable, sentimental and too long, and more than one critic notes that it skirts the healthcare politics behind the family’s crisis; Empire says that leaves the viewer angrier than inspired. The spread is wide, running from outright enthusiasm to dismissal. The Los Angeles Times is the sharpest dissenter, arguing the film is less affecting than the story it is based on because Sharon’s motivations never convince. ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 20 February 2024. Scheck finds the true-story drama irresistible and inspirational despite its predictable elements. He praises Hilary Swank’s forceful, nuanced performance and says the rousing finale will have audiences cheering. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/ordinary-angels-review-hilary-swank-1235827729/) ## Variety — Courtney Howard Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 20 February 2024. Howard finds the film sentimental but ultimately moving, with its community-minded story winning over even cynics. She especially praises Hilary Swank’s nuanced, naturalistic performance, while noting that the score and some heavy-handed explanations weaken the film. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/ordinary-angels-review-1235916521/) ## The Guardian — Catherine Bray Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 23 April 2024. Bray finds the film effective as an old-fashioned character drama, though it sidesteps the politics behind the family’s crisis. She particularly praises Alan Ritchson’s dramatic performance. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/apr/23/ordinary-angels-review-healthcare-heartwarmer-alan-ritchson-hilary-swank) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 22 February 2024. The page is identified as a review of the film, but its text is inaccessible. The critic’s verdict and specific praise or complaint cannot be determined. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/movies/ordinary-angels-review.html) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Rating C. 22 February 2024. Ehrlich finds the faith-based drama an interesting change of pace, though not a good film. He praises Hilary Swank’s credible desperation while criticizing the story’s omissions and implausibilities. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/ordinary-angels-review-1234955947/) ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 25 April 2024. The review finds the story touching but too flat to make a fully compelling drama, and says its healthcare critique leaves the viewer more furious than inspired. It praises the solid performances and heartbreaking setup, while noting that the film’s sermonising is mostly restrained. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/ordinary-angels/) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 23 February 2024. Walsh finds the film less affecting than the real story, with Sharon’s motivations failing to make her emotional journey convincing. She praises the blizzard and rooftop imagery, but says the film loses the community-care focus that made the true story inspiring. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-02-23/ordinary-angels-review-hilary-swank-michelle-schmitt-snow-baby-louisville) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 20 February 2024. Hammond finds the faith-based drama heartfelt and a cut above the genre’s usual fare. He particularly praises Hilary Swank’s commanding, richly defined performance. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2024/02/ordinary-angels-review-hilary-swank-true-faith-based-family-drama-1235831098/) ## The Playlist — Brian Farvour Rating B-. 23 February 2024. The review finds the film entertaining but overly long and predictable. It praises Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson for bringing commitment and emotional depth to their roles. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/ordinary-angels-review-hilary-swank-and-alan-ritchson-shine-in-a-supremely-average-true-story-20240223/) ## Collider — Taylor Gates Rating 4/10. 20 February 2024. Gates finds the film formulaic and emotionally manipulative, despite its inspiring true story. She praises Hilary Swank’s charismatic performance but faults the thin characters and drawn-out climax. [Read the review](https://collider.com/ordinary-angels-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/ordinary-angels.md