---
title: "Spectre: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/spectre/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/spectre"
critics_score: 57
critics_reviews: 27
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."
---

# Spectre (2015): what the critics said

Critics' score 57 from 27 reviews: 9 positive, 12 mixed, 6 negative.

Most critics call Spectre a competent Bond film rather than a good one; mixed verdicts outnumber the positive and negative ones together. Nearly every review measures it against Skyfall and finds it bigger but thinner. Praise clusters on the Mexico opening, a long single take that even the coldest notices admire, on the train fight, and on the locations and photography. Daniel Craig is generally liked, with Whishaw, Fiennes and Seydoux picked out in passing.

The reservations are just as consistent: too long, a sagging middle, a plot overstuffed with nods to earlier Bonds, and a villain who does not convince. Several critics miss the emotional weight of the last film. The spread is wide. The Guardian gives it five stars and Eye for Film ranks it among the best Bonds, while The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times find it formulaic and exhausted. The warmest reviews are British and early; the American notices are cooler.

## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw

Rating 5/5. 21 October 2015. 

The critic finds the film a terrifically exciting and stylish Bond adventure that endorses old-fashioned derring-do while taking a pro-Snowden stance against surveillance. Craig's performance is singled out for its flair and sang-froid.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/21/spectre-review-james-bond-is-back-stylish-camp-and-sexily-pro-snowden)

## Sight and Sound — Kim Newman

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 25 October 2015. 

SPECTRE lets some light back into the series after darker entries, with Craig's Bond enjoying himself more amid high-living escapism. The critic praises the parade of imaginative action sequences, lush cinematography and Craig's grit-and-charm performance while noting a thinner plot and wayward elements.

[Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/film-week-spectre)

## Total Film — Neil Smith

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2015. 

Spectre is described as a sleek, energetic entertainment that delivers on franchise expectations with bravura set pieces and brio, even if it falls short of Skyfall’s dramatic depth. The critic highlights the fluid opening tracking shot, atmospheric Rome sequence, and strong supporting turns from Whishaw and others while noting some pacing issues and thin character work.

[Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/spectre-review/)

## Empire — Kim Newman

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2015. 

The review finds Spectre a solid but less emotionally rich follow-up to Skyfall that successfully ties Craig-era threads together while delivering standout action sequences like the Mexico opening. It praises the return of classic Bond elements, strong performances from Craig, Waltz, and Fiennes, and visual flair, while noting some rote elements and a weak song.

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

## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 November 2015. 

The film is seen as a ravishing but near-despairing exercise in Bond lore and nostalgia. The critic singles out its visual beauty and cinematography for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/16/human-bondage)

## Variety

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2015. 

The film gets back to business in entertaining style after the more personal Skyfall. The critic singles out the sleek action sequences and iconography for praise.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/spectre-review-1201622685/)

## Little White Lies — Adam Woodward

Rating 4/3/3. 26 October 2015. 

Spectre is the purest Bond experience of the Craig era, a 21st-century spectacle underpinned by reluctance to break from tradition. The critic praises the pulse-quickening stunts and set-pieces but notes the overlong runtime, derivative nature and underused female characters.

[Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/spectre)

## Radio Times — Jamie Healy

Rating 3 out of 5. 

Mendes delivers a prestige picture on a huge scale with an ambitious story arc tying previous films together and standout set pieces. The critic praises the epic pre-credits sequence and scale but complains that in-jokes and recycled thrills verge on parody.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-dv9alx/spectre/)

## Screen Daily

Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2015. 

SPECTRE falls back on formula to deliver a slightly flat, old-fashioned 007 by the numbers after Skyfall's emotional peak. The critic praises extravagant locations, stunts and classic ingredients but complains of over-stuffed plotting and a Dench-sized hole in emotion.

[Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/spectre-review/5095793.article)

## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole

Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 3 November 2015. 

The critic admires the symbolically sickly aesthetic and clearly shot action sequences, noting the film's critical view of Bond as a traumatized, destructive figure and its attempt at a redemptive arc. It excels in revisionism and some inventive highs but suffers from frustrating lows, including a hackneyed villain reveal and a climax that embraces cheesy franchise elements.

[Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/spectre/)

## The Hollywood Reporter — Stephen Dalton

Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 21 October 2015. 

The critic finds the first act impressive with dark portent and bravura filmmaking but the final hour disappointing with off-the-peg plot twists and characters conforming to type. It ultimately feels like a lesser film than Skyfall, falling back on cliché and convention, though it contains enough dazzle to keep the Bond brand afloat.

[Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/spectre-film-review-2-833833/)

## Time Out — Tom Huddleston

Rating 3 out of 5 stars. 21 October 2015. 

The film gathers the best and worst of the Craig cycle into a rousing but scattershot victory lap that works until it doesn't. Early praise for sleek control, visuals and Craig's charm gives way to complaints about an unconvincing villain, lost focus and absent emotional core.

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

## Financial Times — Danny Leigh

Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2015. 

The review notes a wobbly tone after Skyfall, with the film relying too heavily on business-class sheen and struggling to balance its elements. Spectacular set pieces are praised but overall the mood feels uneasy.

[Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/eec8fbde-7809-11e5-933d-efcdc3c11c89)

## Evening Standard — David Sexton

Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 26 October 2015. 

The critic views Spectre as an overlong anthology of past Bond films that prioritizes sly references and travelogue over fresh plotting or ideas. While praising the opening sequence and some set pieces, he finds the villain unconvincing, the origins story redundant, and the whole exercise underwhelming despite strong production values.

[Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/spectre-film-review-no-license-to-thrill-a3097166.html)

## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 4 November 2015. 

The film comes off as exhausted and uninspired after too many similar entries. The critic singles out the overlong runtime and lack of freshness as complaints.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-spectre-review-20151105-column.html)

## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 5 November 2015. 

The film offers nothing surprising in its formulaic Bond plot and globe-trotting action. The critic singles out the technically impressive opening sequence for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/06/movies/review-in-spectre-daniel-craig-returns-as-james-bond.html)

## Eye for Film — Jane Fae

Rating *****. 1 November 2015. 

Calls Spectre one of the best Bond films ever, possibly topping Skyfall, for tying together the Daniel Craig era's plot threads and exploring Spectre as a corporate surveillance threat rather than an outsider organization. Highlights strong casting and nods to classic entries while raising questions about Bond's relevance.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/spectre-2015-film-review-by-jane-fae)

## Den of Geek — Ryan Lambie

Rating 4 out of 5. 22 October 2015. 

The critic praises the spectacular opening sequence, strong performances (especially Daniel Craig), and entertaining action set pieces while noting the plot meanders, feels overstuffed and too long compared to Skyfall.

[Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/spectre-review-2/)

## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape

Rating 4. 21 October 2015. 

Praises director Sam Mendes for innovative set pieces like the long opening shot and the music-free train fight, and for making Spectre work as a contemporary blockbuster with a humanized Bond. Notes it suffers from mid-film tedium and an underused villain, falling short of Skyfall.

[Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/spectre-review/)

## Deadline — Pete Hammond

Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 3 November 2015. 

The critic concludes that while Spectre is no Skyfall and feels a bit tired and predictable, it remains stylish, intense, and entertaining enough for Bond fans with strong action set pieces. He praises the sensational opening tracking shot and locations but wishes for more wit in Craig's portrayal.

[Read the review](https://deadline.com/2015/11/spectre-review-daniel-craig-james-bond-24-1201605607/)

## NME — Olly Richards

Rating 3/5. 22 October 2015. 

The critic lauds the grand operatic scale, inventive direction, cast performances and action flourishes but criticizes the baggy middle, lack of substantial female roles and shift toward old-fashioned Bond tropes over tighter modern storytelling.

[Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-various-artists-16306-309465)

## Consequence

Rating C. 3 November 2015. 

The review calls it frustrating and messy despite a strong start with beautiful pacing, action sequences, and visuals. It squanders its potential in the final act with unfocused chaos and predictable revelations.

[Read the review](https://consequence.net/2015/11/film-review-spectre/)

## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds

Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2015. 

The review finds Spectre bigger, louder and longer than Skyfall but not better, with strong action highlights and performances undermined by thin character development, weak emotional payoff and an overstuffed script.

[Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a674869/spectre-review-daniel-craig-embraces-bonds-classic-formula-but-it-doesnt-pack-skyfalls-emotional-punch/)

## Collider — Matt Goldberg

Rating C-. 3 November 2015. 

The critic finds Spectre a disappointing imitation of Skyfall that retreats to safe fan service instead of moving the character forward. It praises the adept direction and some set pieces but criticizes the bloated, lethargic storytelling and lack of innovation.

[Read the review](https://collider.com/spectre-review-james-bond-24-daniel-craig/)

## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff

Rating C-. 3 November 2015. 

Finds the film starts impressively but ultimately disappoints as a successor to Quantum of Solace rather than Skyfall, with uninspiring action sequences and a patched-together story lacking suspense or cohesion. Singles out Léa Seydoux's performance and the train fight for praise amid broader criticism of the bloated runtime and weak plot.

[Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-sam-mendes-spectre-starring-daniel-craig-christoph-waltz-lea-seydoux-ralph-fiennes-20151103/)

## Polygon — Philip Kollar

Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 4 November 2015. 

The critic views it as the most disappointing Craig-era Bond film, failing to compellingly blend past and present elements despite strong direction and an impressive opening. It criticizes the script, nonsensical villain, and compromised emotional core.

[Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/2015/11/4/9671634/spectre-review-james-bond-daniel-craig/)

## The Wrap — Wendy Ide

Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 21 October 2015. 

The critic finds the film a frustratingly unsatisfying experience that prioritizes empty set pieces over character development or emotional depth. She singles out the opening tracking shot for its bravura execution but notes the thrills feel hollow overall.

[Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/spectre-review-007-james-bond-daniel-craig-christoph-waltz/)

---
© 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/spectre.md