--- title: "Short Term 12: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/short-term-12/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/short-term-12" critics_score: 79 critics_reviews: 22 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." --- # Short Term 12 (2013): what the critics said Critics' score 79 from 22 reviews: 19 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Short Term 12, with praise centred on Brie Larson’s performance as Grace, a compassionate supervisor carrying troubles of her own. The reviews repeatedly credit her with making the character’s strength and vulnerability convincing, while also praising the young cast’s natural performances. Cretton’s writing and direction draw approval for finding humour in daily routines at the foster care facility and treating trauma without reducing the residents to their suffering. The disagreement concerns how honestly the film earns its emotional effects, and the spread runs from enthusiastic endorsement to outright rejection. Even some favourable reviews find the plotting calculated or the more cathartic moments overstated. Time Out admires Larson but finds the drama overwrought and manipulative; The Guardian is the clearest dissenter, judging the characters clichéd and the story contrived despite sincere performances. Most critics, though, find enough restraint and observed detail to support the film’s emotional force. ## IndieWire — Eric Kohn Rating A. 11 March 2013. Festival review. The movie pulls off a tricky balance of imbuing its story with emotional weight while not coming across as cloying. Impeccable performances all around, especially from Brie Larson as the young supervisor. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/article/sxsw-review-emotional-troubled-youth-drama-short-term-12-pulls-off-tricky-balance) ## Empire — Ian Freer Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 18 October 2013. The critic calls it the biggest surprise of 2013 for being fresh, funny and moving without resorting to inspirational tropes. They single out the meticulously crafted script and Brie Larson's standout performance for praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/short-term-12-review/) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 August 2013. The finest and most wrenching American fictional movie so far this year, with a breakout performance by Brie Larson as a counselor whose empathy transforms therapy-speak into something profound. The young actors are extraordinary and the film leaves you shaken but not bereft. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2013/08/movie-review-short-term-12.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 22 August 2013. The critic calls it a small wonder of exceptional naturalness and empathy that turns potentially generic material into something moving and intimate. It singles out Brie Larson's generous and persuasive performance as the staff supervisor. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-short-term-12-review-story.html) ## The Times — Wendy Ide Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 November 2013. The critic calls the film wonderfully fresh and genuine, commending its respectful treatment of damaged characters, natural performances, irreverent humour and cathartic moments. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/short-term-12-2npcqhfs3v5) ## Total Film — Kevin Harley Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 29 October 2013. The critic praises the film for crafting lived-in emotions drawn from real experience rather than voyeurism or sentimentality. They single out Brie Larson's nuanced performance as the damaged but compassionate carer Grace for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/short-term-12-review/) ## Little White Lies — Adam Woodward Rating 3/4/4. 30 October 2013. The critic finds the film a powerful human drama told with honesty and compassion, elevated by a barnstorming performance from Brie Larson that makes Cretton one to watch. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/short-term-12) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 March 2013. Festival review. The critic calls the drama affecting and moving, praising its sincere emotional intensity, realistic performances especially from Larson, and Cretton's direction based on personal experience. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/short-term-12/5053109.article) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 August 2013. The review highlights the delicate intensity of feeling in this drama about young lost people at a group home hoping to be found. It singles out the director's thoughtful choices and the terrific, persuasive performance by Brie Larson. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/movies/short-term-12-delves-into-life-at-a-group-home.html) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 13 March 2013. Festival review. The review praises this compelling human drama for finding fresh energy in the inspirational-teacher genre and constantly revealing new layers to its characters. It singles out Brie Larson's thick-skinned supervisor as the most complex. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/film-review-short-term-12-1200007615/) ## Slant Magazine — R. Kurt Osenlund Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 August 2013. The greatest virtue is its intimate understanding of the people who work in such facilities and the symbiotic therapy at play. There is tremendous dramatic value in the aching scenes of the kids’ private torments, though the narrative often feels calculated. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/short-term-12/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 1 November 2013. The critic finds Brie Larson incredible as the dedicated supervisor Grace but notes that some plot turns are hard to swallow and one scene is absurd. They single out the authentic lo-fi atmosphere for praise while acknowledging the film's slight cheats for emotional effect. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/short-term-12-film-review-8917004.html) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 3/5. 15 October 2013. While acknowledging the film's heart and charm and praising Brie Larson's performance, the critic finds it overwrought and manipulative, never quite ringing true for UK viewers. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/short-term-12) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 1 November 2013. The critic finds the film well-intentioned and sincerely acted but ultimately inauthentic, citing clichéd characters and a contrived ending that fails to convince. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/nov/01/short-term-12-review) ## Film Comment — Jonathan Robbins The critic praises the film's earnest and honest portrayal of children’s suffering while noting its hopeful and humorous tone amid difficult situations. Larson’s forceful performance and Cretton’s directorial instincts, especially in camera placement, are highlighted as strengths. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/review-short-term-12-brie-larson/) ## RogerEbert.com — Christy Lemire 23 August 2013. The critic praises the film's delicate and truthful understatement that lets the humanity of its characters shine through naturally. It highlights the naturalistic approach to the group home setting and Brie Larson's revelatory lead performance. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/short-term-12-2013) ## The Hollywood Reporter — John DeFore 14 March 2013. Festival review. A genuinely moving look at life in a group foster home that avoids most of the usual routes into viewers’ hearts. Brie Larson gives a breakthrough performance in an effortlessly balanced film that produces hold-your-breath moments. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/short-term-12/review/428883) ## /Film — Germain Lussier Rating 10/10. 24 August 2013. Short Term 12 is a funny, moving, and emotionally resonant film that stands as cinematic perfection thanks to its mind-blowing performances, sharp writing, and beautiful direction. It excels in its natural handling of complex character turns and realistic portrayal of life in a group home for foster kids. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/525404/short-term-12-review-the-sxsw-grand-jury-and-audience-winner-is-a-funny-emotional-piece-of-cinematic-perfection-sxsw-2013/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating A. 23 August 2013. The critic praises the film's honest handling of emotional trauma through strong direction, script, and performances, especially Brie Larson's breakthrough role, noting it earns its emotional impact without being manipulative. The review highlights the seamless tonal shifts and the power of art in helping characters confront their pasts. [Read the review](https://collider.com/short-term-12-movie-review/) ## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff Rating A. 21 August 2013. The film authentically captures the daily realities and emotional complexities of staff at a short-term foster care facility through sharp writing and a perfectly balanced tone of humor and heart. Brie Larson's riveting central performance anchors the story as a young woman confronting her own past while caring for the residents. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-short-term-12-starring-brie-larson-john-gallagher-jr-rami-malek-20130821/) ## Digital Spy — Stella Papamichael Rating 4/5. 30 October 2013. The review calls it a small film with a big heart that features star turns, particularly from Brie Larson as Grace. It singles out the natural, raw energy of the child actors and the director’s feel for banter that lightens the daily tribulations. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a526517/short-term-12-review-a-small-film-with-a-big-heart/) ## Eye for Film — Richard Mowe Rating 4/5. 14 August 2013. Festival review. Destin Cretton crafts an authentic story of young counselors at a foster care center dealing with their own traumas while supporting troubled teens. The film's strength lies in its realistic characters and the standout performance from Brie Larson, who brings both fragility and strength to the role. [Read the review](http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/short-term-12-2013-film-review-by-richard-mowe) ## HeyUGuys — Kenji Lloyd Rating 4/5. 20 October 2013. Festival review. The film delivers a career-defining performance from Brie Larson as a dedicated supervisor at a foster care facility whose personal issues surface amid new arrivals and revelations. It stands out for its emotional range and authentic portrayal of the challenges faced by staff and residents. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/short-term-12-review/) ## The Skinny — Rachel Ashenden Rating 4/5. 7 March 2014. The critic highlights the film’s nuanced performances and lo-fi aesthetic that reflect its realism, noting it as a rare work about life after abuse. The cathartic ending is called slightly overwrought but a minor quibble in this outstanding work. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/dvd-reviews/short-term-12) ## Consequence Rating B-. 23 August 2013. The critic lauds Brie Larson's standout dual portrayal of a composed counselor and a traumatized young woman, calling it one of the year's great performances, while noting the film's strong ensemble work. It singles out the realistic depiction of staff and teens but criticizes the overly triumphant ending that prioritizes feel-good moments over harsher realism. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2013/08/film-review-short-term-12/) ## Paste — Curtis Woloschuk Rating 8.2. 23 August 2013. The critic commends the film's authentic portrayal of life at a foster care facility and its subtle exploration of lingering trauma through Brie Larson's nuanced performance as Grace. It singles out the strong ensemble and the way the story avoids easy resolutions while emphasizing tentative progress. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/short-term-12) --- © 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/short-term-12.md