--- title: "Rye Lane: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/rye-lane/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/rye-lane" critics_score: 81 critics_reviews: 19 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." --- # Rye Lane (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 81 from 19 reviews: 18 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative. The reviews for Rye Lane are warm and unusually close together. Nearly every critic praises the same three things: the chemistry between the two leads, Raine Allen-Miller’s bright, restless direction in her first feature, and the film’s affection for Peckham and Brixton, which most treat as a character in its own right. The comparisons recur too; Before Sunrise and Richard Curtis are cited again and again, usually as a formula the film updates for a younger, Black British south London rather than one it overturns. Reservations are mild and cluster around the plot, which several find slight, and a final act that some think hurries. One review wishes the film were longer. The lone dissent comes from Slant Magazine, which grants the leads their charm but finds the screenplay flat and the picture of London closer to caricature than portrait, and says the romance never quite lands. Nobody else in the set is anywhere near that position. ## Empire — John Nugent Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 March 2023. The critic finds the film utterly delightful and a fresh, energetic take on the rom-com genre. They single out the lively, stylish direction and the charismatic leads for praise while noting minor quibbles with the slight plot and final act. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/rye-lane/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 March 2023. The critic hails it as the rom-com of the year and a vibrant love letter to Peckham that signals change for the genre. They praise the colourful, kinetic style and the human, flawed leads while highlighting the clever nod to Richard Curtis films. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/rye-lane-movie-review-peckham-plays-host-to-the-romcom-of-the-year-b1067656.html) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 19 March 2023. The critic praises this vibrant debut feature as a hugely enjoyable romcom that blends warmth and charm with street-smart grit, creating something playful, poignant and personal. The leads are thrillingly engaging and the result leaves viewers with a smile and renewed confidence in British filmmaking. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/mar/19/rye-lane-review-raine-allen-miller-vibrant-south-london-romcom-hits-the-sweet-spot) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 April 2023. The review commends the film for making romantic comedy look effortless with witty banter, chemistry between leads, and vibrant South London setting. Singles out the effortless feel and the city's energy for praise. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/rye-lane-makes-romantic-comedy-look-easy.html) ## Radio Times — Emma Simmonds Rating 4/5. This sparky British comedy puts a fresh spin on the Before Sunrise model as two strangers spend a day together on the streets of south London. It embraces the vibrancy of its setting with bold colours, larger-than-life characters, visual ingenuity and a very funny script. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-0hyx9v/rye-lane/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Jordan Mintzer Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 January 2023. Festival review. The critic praises the film's charming meet-cute, charismatic leads, and fresh take on the rom-com genre set in South London, though it ultimately stays within genre conventions. Singles out the leads' banter and the vibrant Peckham setting for praise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/rye-lane-review-1235308156/) ## The i Paper — Xuanlin Tham Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 17 March 2023. The review calls the film a fizzy, charming Gen-Z update to London rom-coms and an irresistible entry into the canon. It praises the effervescent portrait of south London life and the central couple's chemistry. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/rye-lane-review-this-fizzy-south-london-romcom-is-a-gen-z-notting-hill-2208492) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 March 2023. The review hails the film as heralding a new generation of enchanting British romcoms, updating the Richard Curtis formula to contemporary south London with undisguised love for the place and its bustle. It captures the in-the-moment bliss of romance through gorgeous manoeuvres and a benedictory cameo. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/rye-lane-review-heralds-new-generation-enchanting-british-romcoms/) ## Variety — Guy Lodge Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 March 2023. Festival review. Raine Allen-Miller’s immensely likable debut doesn't reinvent the wheel but instant chemistry between the stars keeps it spinning. It is an unabashed urban love letter to South London neighborhoods, claiming the rom-com for young Black Britain with breezy, infectiously young leads. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/rye-lane-review-1235556303/) ## The AV Club — Leigh Monson Rating B. 30 March 2023. The critic finds it a charming but slight British rom-com with winning leads, rich sense of place, and playful style. Singles out the natural chemistry of the leads and the neighborhood's depiction for praise, noting it's a promising debut despite being slight. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/rye-lane-movie-review-hulu-1850234473) ## IndieWire — Esther Zuckerman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 24 January 2023. Festival review. The review highlights how the film mashes up 'Before Sunrise' and Richard Curtis with fresh leads and a wonderful sense of place, delivering charm and fun. Praises the directorial debut for bolstering genre tropes effectively. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/rye-lane-review-1234801642/) ## Slant Magazine — David Robb Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2023. Festival review. The critic notes the charming leads but criticizes the flat screenplay, caricatured portrait of London, and failure to make the romance resonate fully. Singles out the visual flourishes and energy but complains about lack of depth. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/rye-lane-review/) ## Financial Times — Leslie Felperin Rating ★★★☆☆. 16 March 2023. The film is fizzy, smooth and sweet, poised to do for south London what Richard Curtis films did for other neighbourhoods, hitting all romcom marks while grounding the story in Gen Z problems. The combustible chemistry between the leads makes an engaging, believable love story. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/430eae3f-cf59-4b74-af57-647899cd1e38) ## Screen Daily 24 January 2023. Festival review. South London-set romantic comedy is a winner. Allen-Miller achieves the Holy Grail of great rom-coms in making us desperate to see the pair get together while not wanting the first flush of romance to end. It offers a warmly realised showcase for the charming leads. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/rye-lane-sundance-review/5178427.article) ## Sight and Sound 25 January 2023. Festival review. The engaging debut captures the fizz and vibrancy of Peckham and Brixton with a dash of Richard Curtis and Linklater. A confident, engaging debut that does not outstay its welcome despite occasional questions over character motivations. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/rye-lane-vivacious-south-london-romcom-with-eye-detail) ## The New York Times — Claire Shaffer Rating Critic’s Pick. 30 March 2023. The director’s debut feature revives the rom-com genre with exuberant performances and a vibrant South London setting. It is self-assured, full of specificity in its details while the leads’ dreams and insecurities remain universal genre staples. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/movies/rye-lane-review.html) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★★★☆. 17 March 2023. This is immediately one of the great London movies, a sweet and swoon-worthy metropolitan rom-com with deft construction, frothy energy and deep affection for its characters. The only minor complaint is that at 82 minutes it is almost too short. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/rye-lane-review-a-sweet-and-swoon-worthy-metropolitan-rom-com-9v8kr6cqz) ## HeyUGuys — Emily Breen Rating 5/5. 17 March 2023. The critic fell deeply in love with the central couple and their fizzy chemistry, calling the film an essential window into a vibrant, endangered corner of South London. They praise the leads' charm, the director's sense of place, and how it evokes the magic of a classic walk-and-talk romance. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/rye-lane-review/) ## Collider — Chase Hutchinson Rating A-. 26 January 2023. Festival review. The critic finds the film a sharply funny and inventive romantic comedy that crackles with energy throughout its sweet story. Vivian Oparah's comedic performance as Yas is singled out as the standout driving force. [Read the review](https://collider.com/rye-lane-review/) ## The Playlist — Robert Daniels Rating A-. 24 January 2023. Festival review. The critic hails the debut as a wonder that immerses viewers in the verve of South London’s Peckham neighborhood through visual flair and bright spirit. They single out the breakout performances and the assured direction that makes familiar rom-com tropes feel fresh and infinitely rewatchable. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/rye-lane-review-raine-allen-millers-rom-com-is-already-infinitely-rewatchable-sundance-20230124/) ## Deadline — Anna Smith Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2023. Festival review. The critic calls Rye Lane a delight that breathes fresh life into the rom-com genre with youthful British energy and pays affectionate tribute to its forebears. She singles out the sunny, irreverent take on life and love, the strong supporting cast, and the imaginative visual flair in the storytelling. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2023/01/rye-lane-review-sundance-david-jonsson-vivian-oparah-1235237987/) ## Digital Spy — Isabella Silvers Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2023. Celebrates it as a joyous, authentic Black British rom-com full of energy, relatable characters, and vibrant South London settings. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a43347901/rye-lane-review/) ## /Film — Ben Pearson Rating 8.5/10. 24 January 2023. Festival review. The critic finds the film a delightful, charming take on the walk-and-talk romance, full of lovable characters and a genuine love for its South London setting. They single out the leads' natural chemistry and the way the movie captures spontaneous, vibrant street life. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1176977/rye-lane-review-this-winsome-comedy-is-like-a-sillier-funnier-version-of-before-sunrise-sundance/) ## NME — Kyann-Sian Williams Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 17 March 2023. The critic praises the likeable chemistry between leads and the quirky, visually inventive update to the romcom formula set in South London. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/rye-lane-review-3414764) ## Paste — Anna McKibbin Rating 8.5. 31 March 2023. The critic calls it a perfectly poised romantic comedy that recrafts the genre with clarity of vision and specificity. The care for the central relationship and the vibrant South London setting are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/hulu/rye-lane-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/rye-lane.md