--- title: "The Da Vinci Code: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-da-vinci-code/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-da-vinci-code" critics_score: 47 critics_reviews: 12 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 Da Vinci Code (2006): what the critics said Critics' score 47 from 12 reviews: 0 positive, 6 mixed, 6 negative. The consensus leans towards disappointment, with the reviews split between mixed and negative assessments. Most critics find the adaptation too dependent on explanation, leaving little space for character or suspense. Praise clusters around the supporting performances, particularly Ian McKellen, whose liveliness offers some relief from the solemnity. There is also appreciation for Audrey Tautou’s urgency, though the leads receive less consistent support than the supporting cast. The main disagreement is over whether fidelity to the novel compensates for the slow, talk-heavy storytelling. Radio Times sees a sober, comprehensive adaptation that should satisfy the book’s fans; less persuaded critics find that same approach inert and overlong. Assessments range from qualified enjoyment to emphatic rejection, with reservations about Tom Hanks’s passivity and the handling of action. Den of Geek offers a more favourable assessment of the extended cut, judging it a substantial improvement over the theatrical version rather than an outstanding thriller. ## Screen Daily — Mike Goodridge Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 17 May 2006. The review’s verdict is unavailable because the article text is behind a paywall. The visible page does not reveal what the critic praised or criticized. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/the-da-vinci-code/4027223.article) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page content is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint is visible. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/21/movies/22davincicnd.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 2.5/4. 17 May 2006. Ebert finds the film entertaining but weighed down by its talk-heavy storytelling. He singles out the constant exposition as a drawback. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-da-vinci-code-2006) ## Radio Times — Karen Krizanovich Rating 3/5. Krizanovich says fans of the novel will not be disappointed by the adaptation. She praises its sober, all-encompassing approach and Howard’s direction. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-j2rikl/the-da-vinci-code/) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Rating 3/5. 7 November 2006. Schager finds the film leaden, incompetent, and unintentionally humorous. He especially criticizes Tom Hanks’s blank performance and the film’s clumsy camerawork. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/the-da-vinci-code-dvd/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2006. Turan finds the adaptation competent but constrained by its cautious, franchise-protecting approach, and only occasionally thrilling. He praises Audrey Tautou’s urgent, convincing performance as Sophie, while criticizing Tom Hanks as too reactive for Langdon. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-may-18-et-davincireview18-story.html) ## Time Out — Trevor Johnston Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2006. The critic suggests the film will mainly appeal to viewers who insist on a faithful adaptation. The complaint is that Brown’s novel has been reduced to talking pictures. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-da-vinci-code-1) ## Empire — Ian Freer Fi1m's normalised score 15/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Freer finds the film inert and dreary, with exposition overwhelming character and momentum. He singles out Ian McKellen’s lively performance as a rare boost, while criticizing the leads’ lack of engagement and the muddled action. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/da-vinci-code-review/) ## Den of Geek — Glen Chapman Rating 3/5. 12 May 2009. Chapman finds the extended Blu-ray cut a decent, though not outstanding, thriller and a major improvement over the theatrical version. He praises the Blu-ray transfer and highlights the supporting cast, especially Jean Reno. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-da-vinci-code-blu-ray-review/) ## The Skinny — Paul Gallagher Rating ★★. 15 June 2006. The review finds the adaptation cold, lifeless and unlikely to endure in film history. It praises Ian McKellen as the only cast member to bring any fun to the proceedings. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/the-da-vinci-code) ## Eye for Film — Chris Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 21 May 2006. The critic finds the film forgettable and over-hyped, with a weak central premise. They credit it with prompting questions about Christian history and praise the photography of Roslyn Chapel. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-da-vinci-code-film-review-by-chris) ## Digital Spy — Daniel Saney Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 21 May 2006. The review finds the adaptation disappointing, especially for viewers who have not read the book. It praises Ian McKellen’s performance but criticizes the film’s slavish, overlong reproduction of the novel. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a33191/the-da-vinci-code/) --- © 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-da-vinci-code.md