---
title: "Skeletons: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/skeletons/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/skeletons"
critics_score: 62
critics_reviews: 7
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."
---

# Skeletons (2010): what the critics said

Critics' score 62 from 7 reviews: 4 positive, 1 mixed, 2 negative.

Most critics respond warmly to Skeletons, with praise centring on its eccentric humour, likeable performances and the feeling beneath its supernatural oddness. The favourable reviews find the central duo endearing and the comedy quietly affecting, crediting the film with making room for pain without losing its light touch. Its understated approach earns particular approval, while the rural locations and cinematography draw praise for atmosphere. The folk music also receives a favourable mention.

The spread is wide, however, and the reservations go beyond whether its strangeness appeals. Even some supporters describe a comedy that comes close rather than fully succeeds. Time Out finds it likeable but scrappy, while Variety offers the sharpest dissent, judging the comedy unsuccessful and faulting a weak script and predictable, unconvincing plotting. The divide is chiefly over whether the performances and emotional warmth make its odd fantasy work.

## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 July 2010. 

Bradshaw finds the film intensely eccentric, heartfelt and very funny, calling it a breath of fresh air. He particularly praises its balance of odd fantasy with genuine emotion and pain.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/jul/01/skeletons-film-review)

## Empire — David Hughes

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 July 2010. 

Hughes finds the absurdist comedy nearly successful and strangely affecting. He especially praises the likeable lead performances and Simon Whitfield’s well-integrated folk music.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/skeletons-review/)

## Screen Daily

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 4 February 2010. 

The paywall prevents access to the critic’s verdict. No praise or complaint can be identified from the visible page.

[Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/skeletons/5010418.article)

## Time Out — Dave Calhoun

Rating 2/5. 29 June 2010. 

The critic calls the debut likeable but scrappy, suggesting its Edinburgh award may reflect weak competition. The page singles out its scrappiness as a drawback.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/skeletons)

## Variety — Jay Weissberg

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 8 February 2010. Festival review. 

Weissberg finds the comedy unsuccessful and unlikely to withstand critical criticism. He particularly faults its lackluster script and predictable, unconvincing plot.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/skeletons-1117942105/)

## Den of Geek — Mark Harrison

Rating 4/5. 5 September 2010. 

Harrison gives the film a strongly positive review, calling it funny, clever, and poignant. He especially praises the terrific performances and the quirky, understated approach to its supernatural story.

[Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/skeletons-review/)

## Eye for Film — Owen Van Spall

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 June 2010. 

The critic finds the film intriguing, well acted, quietly funny, and charming, though its strangeness will not suit everyone. They praise the endearing central duo and the atmosphere created by the cinematography and rural locations.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/skeletons-film-review-by-owen-van-spall)

---
© 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/skeletons.md