--- title: "Red Joan: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/red-joan/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/red-joan" critics_score: 42 critics_reviews: 15 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." --- # Red Joan (2018): what the critics said Critics' score 42 from 15 reviews: 1 positive, 3 mixed, 11 negative. Most critics come away unimpressed. The reviews describe a drab, stodgy and conventional espionage drama that does little with a promising true story, and the word “forgettable” recurs. Where praise appears, it lands almost entirely on the two leads: Judi Dench is credited with enlivening scenes the script gives her too little of, and Sophie Cookson is thought capable, with several critics finding her younger Joan the more convincing of the two. The complaints cluster on motive. Critic after critic says the film fails to make Joan’s choice to spy persuasive, and the Evening Standard goes further, arguing that it misrepresents the real spy’s politics. The flashback structure divides opinion: IndieWire finds the past more compelling than the present, while The Guardian calls the flashbacks repetitive. The spread is narrow, with one clear dissenter: The Hollywood Reporter, reviewing from the festival, finds a taut and engaging old-fashioned thriller. ## The Hollywood Reporter — Deborah Young Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2018. Festival review. The critic finds the film a taut, engaging old-fashioned spy thriller, though its central motivation stretches credibility. She particularly praises Judi Dench and Sophie Cookson, whose performances make Joan’s idealism persuasive. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/red-joan-review-1141210/) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page is blocked by a browser check, so the critic’s verdict cannot be verified. No praise or complaint can be identified from the available page text. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/red-joan-2019) ## Screen Daily — Wendy Ide Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2018. Festival review. The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It identifies the film’s two lead performers but gives no readable praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/red-joan-toronto-review/5132430.article) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland Rating C+. 19 April 2019. Erbland finds the film underwhelming, arguing that its fractured structure and dull older-Joan material weaken the story. She praises Sophie Cookson’s younger Joan and finds the flashback sequences more compelling and revealing. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/red-joan-review-judi-dench-spy-world-war-ii-1202060020/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Rating 2/5. 18 April 2019. O’Sullivan finds the drama stodgy and misleading, arguing that it distorts the real spy’s politics. She praises Judi Dench’s impish performance but says the film gives her too little to do. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/red-joan-review-british-spy-granny-betrayed-by-a-turgid-and-misleading-tale-a4121106.html) ## Little White Lies — Caitlin Quinlan Rating 3/2/2. 23 April 2019. Quinlan finds the film safe, limp and forgettable despite its bold subject. She praises Judi Dench’s performance and the effort to clarify Joan’s political motives, but says the role is limited. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/red-joan) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 2/5. Jones finds the film a drab, cliché-ridden melodrama despite its compelling true-story basis. He praises Judi Dench’s casting and performance, and notes Sophie Cookson is capable in the flashbacks. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-e6hyh9/red-joan/) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 2/5. 14 April 2019. The critic calls the film a drab disappointment despite Judi Dench’s enlivening presence. The review singles out the musty Cold War thriller as a weakness. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/red-joan) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 18 April 2019. Turan finds the film polished and diverting but ultimately hollow and unconvincing. He praises Sophie Cookson’s capable performance, while faulting the film’s attempt to justify Joan’s spying as a cause of peace. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-red-joan-judi-dench-review-20190418-story.html) ## The New York Times — Jeannette Catsoulis Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 18 April 2019. The review is negative, finding the spy drama dull and unconvincing. It singles out the film’s failure to make its subject’s choices compelling. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/18/movies/red-joan-review.html) ## Empire — Amon Warmann Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 17 April 2019. Warmann finds the espionage drama bland, conventional and forgettable despite its promising premise. He praises Judi Dench and Sophie Cookson for strong central performances, especially Cookson’s convincing portrayal of Joan’s younger self. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/red-joan-review/) ## The Guardian — Pamela Hutchinson Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 12 September 2018. Festival review. Hutchinson finds the espionage drama stodgy, cosy and mediocre. She praises Judi Dench’s performance in old age, while faulting the repetitive flashbacks and implausible plotting. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/sep/12/red-joan-review-judi-dench) ## Variety — Dennis Harvey Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 7 September 2018. Festival review. Harvey finds the film dreary, unconvincing and uninspired. He particularly faults the weak chemistry and flat portrayal of Joan’s motives. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/red-joan-review-1202933114/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 16 April 2019. Kermode finds the film less substantial than its premise suggests, with spy-film fans likely to leave disappointed. She praises its exploration of historical issues and culture change, as well as Judi Dench’s performance. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/red-joan-2018-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 18 April 2019. The review finds the film dramatically weak and its story’s motivations unconvincing, despite its easy, nostalgic appeal. It singles out the underused Judi Dench and the failure to build tension around Sophie Cookson’s performance. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/red-joan-review-judi-dench/) --- © 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/red-joan.md