---
title: "Targets: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/targets/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/targets"
critics_score: 72
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."
---

# Targets (1968): what the critics said

Critics' score 72 from 7 reviews: 4 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative.

The available reviews lean positive, with praise clustering around the film’s suspense, controlled treatment of violence and contrast between modern terror and Gothic horror. Critics find that contrast disturbing and still relevant, particularly in its treatment of America’s relationship with guns. Boris Karloff’s performance receives particular praise, while the tender portrayal of Byron Orlok offers a counterweight to the shooter’s clinically depicted violence. The craft attracts approval too: implied violence creates shocks without needing to show everything.

There is less evidence of disagreement than the positive and mixed scores suggest. The review texts from The New York Times, RogerEbert.com and Time Out are unavailable, so their specific reservations cannot be established. The verifiable responses range from solid approval of a suspenseful thriller to stronger enthusiasm for its daring nihilism; none supplies a clear negative verdict.

## Empire — Adam Smith

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 

The critic calls the film a gripping, neglected gem. They praise its daring nihilism and its sharp contrast between modern and Gothic horror.

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

## Radio Times — Tony Sloman

Rating 4/5. 

The critic calls the film genuinely disturbing and immaculately crafted, with themes that remain relevant. They single out Boris Karloff’s marvellous valedictory performance for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-fwco6h/targets/)

## Variety — Variety Staff

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1967. 

The review calls the film a good, suspenseful programmer that builds to an exciting climax. It praises Bogdanovich’s use of implied violence to create moments of shock and fear.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/1967/film/reviews/targets-1200421555/)

## Slant Magazine — Eric Henderson

Rating 3.5/5. 18 May 2023. 

Henderson finds the film’s contrasting stories a still-relevant portrait of America’s fraught relationship with gun violence. He praises the elegant, tender portrayal of Byron Orlok alongside the clinical depiction of the shooter’s violence.

[Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/targets-blu-ray-review-peter-bogdanovich/)

## RogerEbert.com

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

The page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It provides no praise or complaint to report.

[Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/targets-1968)

## The New York Times

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 14 August 1968. 

The article appears to be a review of Targets, but its verdict and specific praise cannot be verified from the page content available. The page returned only a JavaScript and ad-blocker notice.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1968/08/14/archives/screen-two-case-histories-of-horror-are-joinedboris-karloff-stars.html)

## Time Out — DP

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

The page identifies this as a review, but its body is unavailable. The available metadata gives no critic verdict or singled-out praise or complaint.

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

---
© 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/targets.md