--- title: "Sing Sing: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/sing-sing/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/sing-sing" critics_score: 82 critics_reviews: 13 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." --- # Sing Sing (2024): what the critics said Critics' score 82 from 13 reviews: 13 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews for Sing Sing are unusually settled: not one of the thirteen we have read is mixed or negative, and the praise lands in the same two places every time. First, Colman Domingo, whose performance as Divine G is called generous, magnetic and commanding by critic after critic. Second, the decision to cast former inmates from the Rehabilitation Through the Arts programme alongside him, with Clarence Maclin singled out most often as the ensemble’s discovery. Several critics note that the film avoids the usual prison-film shocks and that its best scenes are the least scripted ones, in the rehearsal room. The spread is narrow. The nearest thing to dissent comes from Vulture, which finds the non-professional cast more compelling than Domingo and thinks the film struggles to be both a naturalistic ensemble piece and a star vehicle, and from Slant, which calls it humane but self-aware. Neither goes so far as to warn anyone off. ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 2024. The critic calls the film a rare achievement of unique empathy and hand-turned humanity, crediting the years of research and the casting of RTA alumni alongside pros. They single out the emotional breakthroughs and personal growth the men experience through theater, especially Maclin’s star-is-born performance. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-07-12/sing-sing-review-colman-domingo-paul-raci-a24-prison) ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 30 August 2024. The critic praises this empathetic drama about an inmate theater program at Sing Sing prison for showing how art can transform damaged lives and restore faith in humanity. They single out the authentic, nuanced performances by Colman Domingo and the real-life former prisoners for their warmth, humor, and emotional depth amid harsh surroundings. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/sing-sing/) ## IndieWire — Vikram Murthi Rating B+. 11 July 2024. Highlights Colman Domingo's shining performance in this true-life prison drama about the power of theater. Notes the invaluable authenticity brought by the largely non-professional cast of formerly incarcerated performers. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/sing-sing-movie-review-colman-domingo-a24-1235024536/) ## Little White Lies — Isaac Feldberg Rating 4/4/4. 29 August 2024. Domingo and Maclin deliver powerhouse performances in this poignant drama exploring art’s transformative potential. It soars especially in its less scripted moments that ring with truth. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/sing-sing) ## Radio Times — Kevin Harley Rating 4/5. Kwedar subverts prison movie clichés with an affecting and thoughtful tale of creativity in the clink. It highlights the authenticity from casting real RTA alumni and the therapeutic process of production. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-lkzdbv/sing-sing/) ## Time Out — Whelan Barzey Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 11 June 2024. A compassionate window into incarceration that commits to reality over shock value. It praises Domingo masterfully anchoring the ensemble of RTA alumni and the focus on joy and self-knowledge through creativity. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/sing-sing-review-2024) ## Slant Magazine Rating 3/4. 6 July 2024. Calls it a humane if self-aware look at healing through art and collaboration, with noble intentions and vulnerable performances from its cast. Singles out the open partnership with formerly incarcerated individuals as especially laudable. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/sing-sing-review-colman-domingo/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 2024. Argues the prison theater drama struggles to balance naturalistic urges with its star-vehicle ambitions, finding the non-professional actors more compelling than Colman Domingo. Singles out the film's insistence on the healing capacity of art as its saving grace. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-sing-sing-doesnt-need-a-movie-stars-touch.html) ## Screen Daily 1 June 2024. Festival review. The film draws power from its real-world gravitas and Domingo’s commanding performance while examining how prison harms individuals. It succeeds most in showing amateur performers accessing difficult emotions during rehearsals. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/sing-sing-review/5201005.article) ## Sight and Sound 29 August 2024. The film is a heartening celebration of how human creativity can transform even seemingly hopeless lives. It praises the authentic contributions of former inmates in the cast and the inventive farcical play they stage. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/sing-sing-moving-celebration-human-creativity) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw 1 September 2024. The critic praises Colman Domingo's magnetic, generous lead performance as Divine G in this fact-based prison drama about the redemptive power of theatre. They single out the raw authenticity of the non-professional former inmates in the cast and the film's focus on vulnerability over genre clichés. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/sep/01/sing-sing-review-colman-domingo-is-magnetic-in-profoundly-moving-prison-drama-greg-kwedar) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Lovia Gyarkye 14 September 2023. Festival review. Praises the film's sincere portrait of friendship and artistic expression in a prison setting, highlighting its sensitive approach to the characters' lives as an urgent document. Singles out Colman Domingo's range and the non-exploitative depiction of the rehabilitation program. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/sing-sing-review-colman-domingo-1235588078/) ## The New York Times — Lisa Kennedy Rating Critic’s Pick. 11 July 2024. The critic praises this moving drama about a prison theater program, highlighting Colman Domingo’s deep-tissue turn and Clarence Maclin’s breakout performance. They single out the deep respect and amity forged among the men in the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/11/movies/sing-sing-review.html) ## The Telegraph 29 August 2024. The critic calls it a funny, insightful and sensationally acted account of art's power to transform lives in a tough prison setting. They single out the authentic casting of former inmates and Colman Domingo's generous star turn. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/sing-sing-review-colman-domingo/) ## The Times — Kevin Maher 27 August 2024. The critic finds the film consistently moving and inspirational in its depiction of a real-life prison theatre programme, with a huge and generous performance from Colman Domingo. They single out the authentic ensemble and the healing power of vulnerability. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/sing-sing-film-review-this-colman-domingo-prison-drama-will-have-you-in-tears-5lc58fv9p) ## HeyUGuys — Nathan McVay Rating 5/5. 11 March 2024. Festival review. This is a beautiful and incredibly important film that soars with phenomenal acting and balances humor and tragedy. It singles out the decision to cast real-life subjects and former troupe members alongside Colman Domingo for its grace and heartfelt impact. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/sing-sing-review/) ## Deadline — Valerie Complex Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2023. Festival review. The film is a compelling story of redemption and humanity that serves as a love letter to the transformative power of the performing arts. It singles out the RTA theater program for praise as an oasis that allows incarcerated men to express their creativity and emotions despite the harsh realities of prison life. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2023/09/sing-sing-review-greg-kwedars-ode-toronto-film-festival-1235541427/) ## Film Stories — Maria Lattila Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 28 August 2024. The film is a powerful and affecting drama that celebrates theatre, life and performance while exploring incarceration from a unique perspective without sensationalism. It singles out the unintrusive direction and the way the story reminds viewers that performing gives the men freedom inside prison walls. [Read the review](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/sing-sing-review-a-powerful-ode-to-the-healing-quality-of-art/) ## Collider — Taylor Gates Rating 8/10. 12 July 2024. The film showcases the power of art and community in a prison theater group with formerly incarcerated actors. Colman Domingo delivers an Oscar-worthy performance through subtle expressions, while the direction and cinematography create an intimate, visually stunning experience that highlights humanity and authenticity. [Read the review](https://collider.com/sing-sing-review/) ## The Wrap — Steve Pond Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2023. Festival review. The indie drama has urgency and grit, showing lives lost and occasionally regained through the prisoners' theater program. It singles out Colman Domingo's authoritative performance for praise, along with the authenticity brought by the former prisoners playing versions of themselves. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/sing-sing-review-colman-domingo-prison-toronto-tiff/) ## Paste — Trace Sauveur Rating 8.0. 11 July 2024. Greg Kwedar’s sensitive, joyous film incorporates real former prisoners into its cast to authentically depict the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program. It finds graceful emotional truths in the healing power of theater and community without relying on typical melodramatic tropes. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/a24/sing-sing-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/sing-sing.md