Most critics respond positively to Rosetta, with praise centring on Émilie Dequenne’s physically committed performance and the Dardennes’ harsh, close observation of a young woman struggling to get by. The favourable reviews find the realism gripping and humane, drawing attention to Rosetta’s persistence and desperation rather than treating the austerity as an end in itself. Dequenne also earns praise from less persuaded critics, making her performance the clearest point of agreement.
The spread runs from strong enthusiasm to qualified admiration, with reservations clustering around the film’s narrow focus and uncompromising approach. The Guardian finds it forceful but limited by the lack of social context and family background, while Variety sees its austerity as a barrier to broader appeal. The disagreement is chiefly over how much that close focus achieves: admirers find empathy and immediacy, while the more reserved reviews want a fuller account of the circumstances surrounding Rosetta.