--- title: "The Armstrong Lie: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-armstrong-lie/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-armstrong-lie" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 21 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." --- # The Armstrong Lie (2013): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 21 reviews: 15 positive, 5 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics find The Armstrong Lie compelling and informative, with praise centred on Gibney’s access to Armstrong, the cycling footage and the examination of deception within professional sport. The interviews and race material make the story engrossing even for reviewers who find few fresh revelations. Several reviews value the attention to intimidation and institutional corruption, placing Armstrong’s conduct in a wider cycling culture rather than treating him as an isolated cheat. Reservations concern repetition, occasionally confusing chronology and how far the film explains Armstrong’s motives. Critics also differ over Gibney’s personal involvement: The AV Club praises his acknowledgement of helping promote the comeback myth, while Slant Magazine finds his self-scrutiny incomplete and his narration heavy-handed. The spread is broadly favourable but includes a sharp dissent from The Wrap, which finds the documentary too detached to probe Armstrong’s deception or confront his lack of remorse. ## Variety — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 2 September 2013. Festival review. Chang finds the documentary authoritative, fascinating, and penetrating in its examination of Armstrong and the culture around him. He particularly praises Gibney’s scientific research and the film’s vivid, well-edited cycling footage. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2013/film/markets-festivals/the-armstrong-lie-review-venice-1200596005/) ## IndieWire — Eric Kohn Rating B+. 8 November 2013. Kohn finds the documentary compelling and nuanced, though not fully revelatory. He praises Gibney’s careful analysis of Armstrong’s rise and fall and the psychology behind his fabrications. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-why-lance-armstrong-needs-to-watch-the-armstrong-lie-33138/) ## Little White Lies — Emma Simmonds Rating 4/4/3. 30 January 2014. Simmonds finds the film compelling and worthwhile, though it does not fully illuminate Armstrong. She praises the force of the Oprah interview footage and the film’s scrutiny of his deception. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-armstrong-lie) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 7 November 2013. Turan finds the documentary engrossing and more revealing than expected, bringing it close to explaining Armstrong’s complicated story. He praises its integration of earlier footage and interviews that place Armstrong’s doping and deception in cycling’s broader culture. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-armstrong-lie-review-story.html) ## Radio Times — Jeremy Aspinall Rating 4/5. Aspinall calls the documentary a breathtaking portrait of Lance Armstrong. He particularly praises Gibney’s unprecedented access to the famously abrasive cyclist. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-3gxxvn/the-armstrong-lie/) ## Time Out — Cath Clarke Rating 4/5. 28 January 2014. The review presents the documentary as revealing why Armstrong’s enemies despise him. It singles out its account of the hostility surrounding his doping and deception. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-armstrong-lie) ## Total Film — Kevin Harley Rating 4/5. 27 January 2014. The review finds the documentary compelling, though Armstrong’s repeated evasions make parts of it repetitive. It praises the intimate race footage and the magnetic spectacle of Armstrong’s self-assured denials and confession. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-armstrong-lie-review/) ## The AV Club — Ben Kenigsberg Rating B. 7 November 2013. Kenigsberg finds the film informative but short of fresh revelations and deeper detail on the doping scheme. He especially praises Gibney’s willingness to acknowledge his own role in promoting Armstrong’s comeback myth. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-armstrong-lie-1798178591) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 8 November 2013. Edelstein finds the documentary engrossing and fascinating, despite its pervasive creepiness and occasionally confusing chronology. He praises its close study of Armstrong’s deception and its illuminating account of doping in professional cycling. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2013/11/movie-review-the-armstrong-lie.html) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 31 January 2014. The review finds the documentary compelling while warning against confusing power with virtue. It praises Gibney’s examination of Armstrong’s intimidation tactics and the corrupt system that enabled him. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-armstrong-lie-alex-gibneys-documentary-shows-psychotically-righteous-lance-armstrong-at-his-charming-best-and-worst-9098225.html) ## The Guardian — Chris Michael Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 September 2013. Festival review. The critic finds the documentary compelling and probing, though its account of Armstrong’s 2009 comeback remains somewhat murky. He praises its behind-the-scenes footage and its examination of the power and intimidation surrounding Armstrong’s story. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/11/lance-armstrong-alex-gibney-armstrong-lie-review-toronto) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No praise or complaint can be verified. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-armstrong-lie-2013) ## Screen Daily — Lee Marshall Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2013. The review’s verdict is unavailable because the article text is behind a paywall. The accessible page does not reveal what the critic singled out for praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/the-armstrong-lie/5059988.article) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 7 November 2013. The page content is unavailable, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the accessible text. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/08/movies/the-armstrong-lie-from-alex-gibney.html) ## Slant Magazine — Kenji Fujishima Rating 2.5/4. 4 November 2013. Fujishima finds the documentary informative but divided between its original celebratory premise and its later indictment of Armstrong. He praises its exhaustive detail while faulting Gibney’s heavy-handed narration and incomplete self-implication. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-armstrong-lie/) ## Empire — David Hughes Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2014. Hughes finds the documentary tough and forensic, but says it soft-pedals Armstrong’s betrayal of fans. He praises its complex account of moral relativism and institutional corruption. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/armstrong-lie-review/) ## Eye for Film — Owen Van Spall Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 21 October 2013. The critic calls it a confidently assembled, gripping piece of reportage and praises Gibney’s documentary work. He singles out its brisk pacing, captivating interviews, and superb cycling footage. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-armstrong-lie-2013-film-review-by-owen-van-spall) ## Digital Spy — Emma Dibdin Rating 4/5. 29 January 2014. Dibdin finds the documentary a lean, searing portrait of human frailty, despite a slightly baggy middle. She praises Gibney’s personal involvement, which makes Armstrong’s deception and its impact on betrayed fans especially vivid. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a546343/the-armstrong-lie-review-lance-armstrong-explored-in-searing-documentary/) ## Den of Geek — Rob Leane Rating 4 out of 5. 2 June 2014. The critic calls the documentary vital viewing despite its forgettable score and repetitive stretches. They praise its close analysis of Armstrong’s psyche and Gibney’s candid personal perspective. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-armstrong-lie-dvd-review/) ## Paste — Tim Grierson Rating 7.8/10. 5 November 2013. Grierson finds the documentary grimly fascinating rather than gratifyingly vindictive, and sees Armstrong as compelling but unrepentant. He praises its focus on the people whose lives Armstrong damaged by defending the truth. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-armstrong-lie) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 26 October 2013. The critic finds the documentary too detached to offer meaningful insight into Armstrong’s deception. They single out its failure to probe his motives and its reluctance to judge his lack of remorse. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/armstrong-lie-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/the-armstrong-lie.md