--- title: "Terminator: Dark Fate: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/terminator-dark-fate/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/terminator-dark-fate" critics_score: 63 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." --- # Terminator: Dark Fate (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 63 from 22 reviews: 13 positive, 5 mixed, 4 negative. Most critics welcome Terminator: Dark Fate as the best entry since Judgment Day and a return to form. The praise gathers around Linda Hamilton, whose return as Sarah Connor is credited with giving the film its spine, and around her scenes with Arnold Schwarzenegger, which several reviews find unexpectedly touching. Mackenzie Davis is the most frequently named of the new cast, and the decision to build the story around three women is widely counted a strength. The reservations cluster on familiarity. Even admirers note that the plot follows the first two films closely, and the harsher reviews treat that as the whole problem: Time Out calls it a watery facsimile of Terminator 2, Sight and Sound finds it competent but pointless, and the Financial Times thinks the series should stop. The spread is wide, from warm approval to outright dismissal, with the middle ground agreeing it is fun but not fresh. ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 October 2019. The critic finds Dark Fate feels like a real Terminator movie again after the previous disappointing entries, crediting the return of Linda Hamilton as the key ingredient alongside strong turns from the new cast members. It is hailed as easily the third-best film in the series and a worthy successor that restores hope for the franchise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/terminator-dark-fate/) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2019. It is the best Terminator sequel in over 20 years, with a poignant reunion of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton deepened by time. Much of it takes place in Mexico with a refreshing change of scenery and strong new faces including Mackenzie Davis and Natalia Reyes. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-10-22/terminator-dark-fate-review-arnold-schwarzenegger-linda-hamilton) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating 4/5. 23 October 2019. Finally the first good Terminator since T2, fixing previous issues with time travel obsession, John Connor focus and Schwarzenegger misuse. Strong set pieces, smart feminist lore rewrite and Davis as the standout performer make it audience-pleasing and derivative in a good way. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/terminator-dark-fate-review-the-first-good-film-from-this-series-for-decades-sqkhjbpp3) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2019. It is the first good Terminator since T2, a lean tough and absorbing sequel that returns to the series’ smartly packaged low-down genre-thriller classicism. Directed with gritty rock-solid craft by Tim Miller, it taps back into the enthralling surface of the franchise’s comic-book kinetics. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/terminator-dark-fate-review-linda-hamilton-arnold-schwarzenegger-1203377138/) ## Evening Standard — David Sexton Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 25 October 2019. The review calls it the best episode since Terminator 2, praising Linda Hamilton's commanding return as Sarah Connor and the updated emphasis on female heroines alongside Arnie's comic domestic turn as Carl. Though a fairly direct remake without the original shocks, it delivers solid action and entertainment value. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/terminator-dark-fate-review-lindas-back-with-a-blast-and-arnies-a-family-guy-a4270536.html) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2019. The film is an adequate addition that succeeds by delivering sufficient thrills and some emotional depth through its feminist focus on the female characters working together, though it is creaky, clumsy and never threatens to supplant the first two entries in the series. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/terminator-dark-fate-review/5144044.article) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 November 2019. Under Tim Miller’s direction the franchise finds a novel groove despite plot elements that are heated-up leftovers. There is plenty to savor, especially the final third’s light show and Mackenzie Davis at its core. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/11/11/end-times-in-terminator-dark-fate-and-marriage-story) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 30 October 2019. The film is a late addition to a weary franchise that the critic finds likable for its disregard of timeline continuity. It features returning stars Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger alongside new athleticism from Mackenzie Davis. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/30/movies/terminator-dark-fate-review.html) ## Radio Times — Huw Fullerton Rating 3/5. 22 October 2019. Hamilton’s return makes this easily the best sequel since T2, delivering crowd-pleasing action and strong central performances, though it suffers from tepid jokes and a lack of truly fresh ideas. It is still a welcome return to form that gives the original heroine her due. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/terminator-dark-fate-review/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 23 October 2019. The film replays elements from the first two Terminator movies with new twists and social touches, as a late-period reboot that acknowledges its classic status while leaving the door open for more. Hamilton gets a robust role but concedes badass superiority to Davis, and the repetitive nature of the franchise is acknowledged. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/oct/23/terminator-dark-fate-review-james-cameron-linda-hamilton-arnold-schwarzenegger-cyborg) ## The i Paper — Demetrios Matheou Rating ★★★. 23 October 2019. The critic welcomes the return of Sarah Connor as a kick-ass highlight that elevates the film into more satisfying female-led territory, but laments that beyond this it sticks rigidly to the same repetitive template, beats and script weaknesses as prior entries. Déjà vu ultimately undermines the experience despite exciting action sequences. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/terminator-dark-fate-review-arnold-schwarzenegger-uk-release-354194) ## The Telegraph Rating 3/5. 23 October 2019. The film resets the franchise like The Force Awakens, with pacy action, strong creature design and satisfying practical effects mixed with CG. Hamilton and Schwarzenegger return as leathery veterans, though it touches on topical issues like border camps. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/terminator-dark-fate-review-james-cameron-hits-reset-button/) ## Sight and Sound — Michael Hale Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 29 October 2019. The critic notes the film's close adherence to the plot and structure of the first two Terminator entries, resulting in limited originality, but highlights its refreshing gender focus with strong performances from Linda Hamilton, Natalia Reyes and Mackenzie Davis as a team of flawed opponents. Overall, it is competent but ultimately feels pointless. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/terminator-dark-fate-review-apocalypse-once-more-with-women-fore) ## The Hollywood Reporter — John DeFore Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2019. The film offers some pleasure as a 21st-century retread of T2 but suffers from obeying the sequel imperative by delivering increasingly ludicrous action set pieces while the script’s additions to the mythology underwhelm. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/terminator-dark-fate-review-1249238/) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2019. The review calls the film a watery facsimile of Terminator 2 with too little that is new, criticising its reliance on CGI set pieces and lack of balance or character depth despite promising early moments and the appeal of its female leads. Arnie’s committed turn provides the only real surprise. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/terminator-dark-fate) ## Financial Times — Nigel Andrews Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 23 October 2019. The film is frantic, sad, tired and imbecilic, with unengaging characters and dull action until Schwarzenegger arrives for some hilarity as a drapes fitter. Nothing is fun, and the series should lower the curtain. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/c7077d5e-f597-11e9-9ef3-eca8fc8f2d65) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 31 October 2019. The film is a welcome, topical and action-packed return to form for the franchise that feels sharp and relevant again after disappointing sequels. It updates the classic story with memorable characters, surprising depth and contemporary relevance around technology and borders while delivering strong performances, especially from Linda Hamilton. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/terminator-dark-fate-film-review-arnold-schwarzenegger-linda-hamilton/) ## Collider — Haleigh Foutch Rating B+. 22 October 2019. The critic calls it the best Terminator film since T2 and a strong return to form for the franchise, crediting the focus on character and thrilling action sequences. Minor complaints include some length issues in the third act and overly explicit messaging. [Read the review](https://collider.com/terminator-dark-fate-review/) ## Digital Spy — Gabriella Geisinger Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2019. Terminator: Dark Fate does exactly what it was supposed to do and has a lot of fun, delivering edge-of-your-seat action and emphatic performances that make it fresh compared to prior entries. The critic singles out the well-choreographed stunts, distinct fighting styles, and strong characters including the three female protagonists for praise. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a29535232/terminator-dark-fate-review/) ## NME — Nick Levine Rating 4/5. 22 October 2019. This is a surprising and rousing return to form, the best Terminator film since Judgment Day, with savage action sequences and compelling characters that make the sequel fly. The critic singles out Linda Hamilton's grizzled, brilliant portrayal of Sarah Connor and the focus on the three female protagonists for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/terminator-dark-fate-review-arnold-schwarzenegger-2559802) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 November 2019. This is a reasonably entertaining sequel that is dumb at points but still fun, with Tim Miller capably staging massive action sequences. The real joy comes from Linda Hamilton's return as Sarah Connor, who rescues every scene and is worth the price of admission. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/video/terminator-dark-fate-review-arnold-schwarzenegger-linda-hamilton-james-cameron/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 3/5. 23 October 2019. The film is a steady actioner that pays appropriate tribute to the past and is the closest the franchise has come to the originals since T2, though it does not match their heights or offer a better ending. It singles out the cast, particularly Hamilton and Schwarzenegger's scenes together, and the multi-generational female leads for praise. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/terminator-dark-fate-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/terminator-dark-fate.md