--- title: "Selma: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/selma/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/selma" critics_score: 81 critics_reviews: 21 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." --- # Selma (2014): what the critics said Critics' score 81 from 21 reviews: 19 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Selma, praising its focus on the practical work behind the marches: negotiations, strategy and difficult personal relationships. David Oyelowo’s King draws the strongest agreement, with reviews finding both authority in his speeches and vulnerability in quieter scenes. DuVernay’s direction is widely credited with avoiding the usual cradle-to-grave biography and giving the movement’s violence, solidarity and political decisions a force that reaches beyond historical reconstruction. The reservations concern pace, speechifying and how fully the supporting figures are drawn. The spread runs from strong enthusiasm to mixed responses, though even qualified reviews usually praise Oyelowo. Film Comment questions the psychological depth others admire and finds supporting characters reductive; the Evening Standard finds the film pompous despite its lead performance. Eye for Film is an unusual dissent on Oyelowo himself, judging him dull and the pacing slack. The disagreement is sharper over the drama’s restraint than its subject’s importance. ## Little White Lies — David Jenkins Rating 4/5/5. 5 February 2015. Selma is a vital, sophisticated and unsentimental drama that frames racial violence as an ongoing historical issue. It excels through David Oyelowo’s revelatory performance as King and avoids biopic conventions. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/selma) ## Time Out — Joshua Rothkopf Rating 5/5. 13 January 2015. The film works brilliantly as both expert historical re-creation and a powerful reflection of ongoing racism. DuVernay creates a lived-in state of unrest with complex performances and psychological depth. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/selma) ## Empire — Chris Hewitt Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 19 January 2015. The critic calls it a deeply affecting and inspirational movie despite flaws, anchored by Oyelowo's awards-worthy performance. It singles out DuVernay's skill with actors and the powerful depiction of King's oratory and quieter moments. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/selma-review/) ## Radio Times — Andrew Collins Rating 4/5. DuVernay’s history lesson focuses tightly on the 1965 marches and avoids biopic pitfalls with a career-defining Oyelowo performance. The sense of righteous anger is palpable despite some panto elements. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-iirz3f/selma/) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 February 2015. The critic praises the film as a forceful historical drama with modern resonance that focuses on King's Selma campaign and its political intricacies. It singles out the vivid crowd scenes and backroom discussions for their energy and emotional impact. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/selma-film-review-history-lesson-of-eloquent-force-that-has-unhappy-modernday-resonance-10026163.html) ## Total Film — James Mottram Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 2 February 2015. The review hails the film as a powerful achievement and hugely impressive directorial effort from DuVernay. It singles out Oyelowo's commanding lead performance and the vivid handling of tension and trauma scenes for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/selma-review/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 5 December 2014. The film is an ambitious, handsomely staged civil rights drama focused on King's 1965 Selma campaign, strong on strategic leadership and non-violent protest tactics but weighed down by prestige gloss and oratory that intrudes on quieter scenes. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/dec/05/selma-review-civil-rights-drama) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 December 2014. Festival review. Selma strikingly dramatises a key civil-rights episode and feels topical. It is praised for Oyelowo’s terrific lead performance but noted for somewhat understated march sequences. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/selma/5080847.article) ## Evening Standard — David Sexton Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 14 February 2015. The review finds Oyelowo tremendous as King but judges the film overwhelmed by its sense of occasion and turned pompous. It singles out the script's effective focus on the marches and Oyelowo's performance for praise while complaining about speechifying dialogue. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/selma-film-review-10027864.html) ## Film Comment — Michael Sragow Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 1 November 2014. The critic finds the film ambitious but often deliberate and uninspired, praising its powerful depiction of street atrocities and Oyelowo's oratory while criticizing the lack of psychological depth in King's character and reductive portrayals of supporting figures. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/deep-focus-selma-ava-duvernay/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan 24 December 2014. The critic calls it a necessary and essential film with memorable performances and compelling sequences but notes it is inconsistent and not as strong in some elements, particularly scenes with white authority figures. Praises the humanization of King and the movement's camaraderie. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-selma-review-20141225-column.html) ## Sight and Sound — Ashley Clark 5 February 2015. The film powerfully dramatises Martin Luther King’s leadership during the 1965 Selma marches and speaks directly to contemporary events. It is praised for its complex, unflashy portrayal of King by David Oyelowo and its activist urgency. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/selma-review-martin-luther-king-leads-his-marchers-onward) ## Slant Magazine — Steve Macfarlane 17 December 2014. The film aligns historical struggle with contemporary relevance through DuVernay’s focus on strategy sessions and myth-correctives, with strong performances and visceral sequences. It stumbles slightly with a rushed finale and some editing choices that undercut the march’s weight. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/selma/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Stephen Farber 12 November 2014. Festival review. DuVernay handles the epic civil rights story with a strong sense of proportion and craftsmanship in this two-hour film. The performances, especially David Oyelowo as King, are sharp and the result is a deeply moving piece of history that opens hearts and minds. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/selma-afi-fest-review-748467/) ## The New Yorker — David Denby 15 December 2014. The critic praises DuVernay's film as a very good movie that focuses on the political process and King's resourcefulness rather than a standard biopic. It singles out the portrayal of King and the march scenes for their dramatic force. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/12/22/living-history) ## Variety — Scott Foundas 12 November 2014. Festival review. The critic lauds the politically astute and psychologically acute biopic that gives a human-scale King and balances intimate and epic elements effectively. Highlights the vivid recreation of the civil rights movement and Oyelowo's performance. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/film-review-selma-1201354433/) ## Vulture — David Edelstein 9 January 2015. DuVernay’s film emphasizes the gritty negotiations and political maneuvering behind the movement rather than just dreams or symbolism. It excels in showing the human-scale work of history through strong performances and key relationships like King and LBJ. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2014/12/movie-review-selma.html) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating A. 24 December 2014. Praises DuVernay for crafting a powerful film that delves into the politics and personal relationships behind the marches without smoothing over difficult events or complicated people. Highlights the remarkable performance by David Oyelowo and the unflinching observation of brutality and complications, while noting some timeline fuzziness. [Read the review](https://collider.com/selma-review/) ## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff Rating A. 26 December 2014. The critic calls the film vital and vibrant humanistic cinema with inventiveness, urgency, humor, and emotion that draws parallels to the present. They single out the sublime cinematography by Bradford Young, with its sun-baked tableaus and powerful montage of the march confrontation, for particular praise. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-ava-duvernays-vital-vibrant-selma-starring-david-oyelowo-carmen-ejogo-oprah-winfrey-20141226/) ## Paste — Andy Crump Rating 9.4/10. 22 December 2014. Describes the film as fiery and passionate, succeeding by focusing on a specific moment in the voting rights marches rather than a full origin story or hagiography. Commends the avoidance of biopic clichés, strong ensemble performances led by David Oyelowo, and its timely emphasis on civil disobedience, empathy, and solidarity. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/selma) ## Consequence Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 January 2015. Calls it a passionate and important historical recounting that balances emotional remembrance with startling fact, relevant to modern racial issues. Singles out the strong cast especially David Oyelowo's humanizing performance as King, DuVernay's understanding of communication, and unflinching intensity in depicting violence. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2015/01/film-review-selma/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 January 2015. The critic calls the film a towering achievement worthy of its subject. He singles out the strong performances, especially David Oyelowo as King and Carmen Ejogo as Coretta Scott King, along with its timely relevance. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2015/01/selma-review-ava-duvernay-david-oyelowo-1201343523/) ## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 2 February 2015. The critic praises the film as an intimate, subtle, and honest depiction that humanizes King rather than sanctifying him, with a stunning nuanced performance by David Oyelowo. They single out the rousing, poignant, and captivating quality of the focused portrayal of the Selma marches and its contemporary resonance. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/selma-review/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 4/5. 22 December 2014. The critic calls Selma a clarion call for justice and one of the best films of the year, praising its visceral emotional impact, Oyelowo's complete portrait of King, and the timely resonance of its themes of transcendence amid hardship. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/selma-review/) ## Digital Spy — Stella Papamichael Rating 4/5. 2 February 2015. The critic highlights Oyelowo's charismatic and humane performance as King and DuVernay's precise direction in focusing on a pivotal period, noting the film's bristling energy in key scenes and its demonstration of principled activism. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a623823/selma-review-david-oyelowo-iniquitously-ignored-by-the-oscars/) ## The Skinny — John Nugent Rating 4/5. 2 February 2015. The critic praises DuVernay's measured and courageous approach to a brief historical window, highlighting the urgent and forceful depiction of violence and bigotry alongside Oyelowo's technically precise and soulful performance as King. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/selma) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 4 February 2015. The critic describes the film as gripping and affecting despite controversy over historical accuracy, praising David Oyelowo's brilliant performance capturing King's charisma and personal guilt while noting its impressive storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-various-artists-15916-319051) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Rating 3.5/5. 6 February 2015. The review notes that the film effectively reminds viewers of the danger and brutality of the civil rights struggle and succeeds as an historical reconstruction. It criticizes the faltering pace with long stretches where little happens, along with a dull lead performance by David Oyelowo. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/selma-2014-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## The Wrap — James Rocchi 12 November 2014. Festival review. The critic hails it as one of the year's best American films for its vital, funny and complex portrait of King. He singles out the strong direction, ensemble cast and the way it connects the historical events to contemporary issues. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/selma-review-martin-luther-king-oprah-winfrey-david-oyelowo/) --- © 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/selma.md