--- title: "The Mitchells vs. the Machines: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines" critics_score: 79 critics_reviews: 19 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 Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021): what the critics said Critics' score 79 from 19 reviews: 15 positive, 4 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews lean positive: fifteen of nineteen recommend the film and none dismiss it. The praise clusters on the animation, which most critics single out for its mix of styles, with hand-drawn doodles layered over the computer-generated images, and for the speed and density of its jokes. Nearly as many mention the father-daughter story, which they find warm and honest, and several note that the film’s affection for people who make things keeps its technology theme from becoming a lecture. The reservations are about length and clutter. Several critics think it runs long, with a drawn-out third act, and a few find the robot-apocalypse plot familiar and the pace too frenetic for its own logic. The spread is narrow; the sharpest dissent comes from The Hollywood Reporter, which finds the laughs inconsistent and the story assembled from other films, and from Slant Magazine, which thinks the family drama and the robot comedy take too long to connect. ## Empire — Ben Travis Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 22 April 2021. The critic gives the film an exuberant verdict, calling it a thrilling and exceptionally funny animated adventure. They single out its inventive visual style and rapid-fire humor, while noting a missed opportunity to make Katie explicitly LGBTQ+. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines/) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 April 2021. Ebiri finds the film delightful, despite its frenetic, cluttered style, and sees it as both a critique and celebration of our tech-obsessed world. He particularly praises its inventive mix of animation styles and its affection for people who express themselves through art. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-netflix-movie.html) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 21 April 2021. The critic presents the film as a delightful family comedy that should be warmly received on Netflix. The visible text praises its family-comedy appeal, but gives no more specific detail. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-review/5158948.article) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Rating B+. 21 April 2021. Ehrlich finds the film a winsome, inventive animated comedy whose family story reaches moments of raw understanding despite a drawn-out third act. He praises its visual artistry and madcap momentum, while noting that the father-daughter connection lacks room to fully rekindle. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-review-netflix-1234631028/) ## Radio Times — Josh Winning Rating 4/5. The critic calls it a dazzling comedy that combines heartfelt storytelling with anarchic humour. They especially praise its eye-popping animation and father-daughter narrative. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-l0xa86/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines/) ## The Guardian — Simran Hans Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 May 2021. Hans finds the animation hugely enjoyable, with a warm, playful sense of humour about technology. She particularly praises the inventive visual style, which layers hand-drawn doodles over the CGI. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/may/01/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-review-olivia-colman-netflix) ## Total Film — Matt Maytum Rating 4/5. 21 April 2021. The critic calls the film an extremely enjoyable, irreverently funny animation, though it runs a little long. They praise its distinctive, textured visual style and the empathy in its father-daughter story. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/mitchells-vs-machines-review-netflix/) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Rating Critic's Pick. 21 April 2021. Debruge finds the film a consistently funny, heartfelt animated comedy, despite some reliance on brisk pacing over airtight logic. He praises the inventive animation and the genuine emotional foundation beneath its dense jokes. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-review-netflix-1234956647/) ## Los Angeles Times — Robert Daniels Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 30 April 2021. Daniels finds the film sweet and entertaining, though its technophobia and robot-apocalypse plot weaken its momentum. He especially praises the colorful, inventive animation and the earnest father-daughter relationship. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-04-30/mitchells-vs-machines-review-netflix) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). The page appears to review the specified film, but its verdict cannot be verified from the blocked text. No praise or complaint is available in the accessible page. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/29/movies/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-review.html) ## Slant Magazine — Derek Smith Rating 2.5/4. 21 April 2021. The critic finds the film’s family drama initially disconnected from its robot-apocalypse comedy, but says the action helps bring them together. They praise the distinctive animation and humor, which reflect Katie’s filmmaking sensibility. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 21 April 2021. Rooney finds the film energetic and entertaining for audiences who enjoy its rapid-fire, juvenile humor, but says its laughs are inconsistent and its story feels assembled from familiar plots. He praises the tender family-centered message, while wishing the film had more distinctive story beats and stronger comic material. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-film-review-4168964/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating A. 21 April 2021. Goldberg praises the film as a funny, emotionally honest story about family and connection. He particularly singles out its energetic, inventive animation and humor. [Read the review](https://collider.com/mitchells-vs-the-machines-review-netflix/) ## Den of Geek — Shamus Kelley Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 April 2021. Kelley gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, calling it a special work that pushes animated movies forward. He especially praises its exuberant mix of animation styles and vivid color, which deepen the family story. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-next-step-animated-movies-netflix/) ## Polygon — Petrana Radulovic Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 April 2021. The critic finds the film an utter delight, praising its funny, heartfelt story and lively animation. They single out its hand-scribbled visual style for bringing the online generation’s perspective to life. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22412636/mitchells-vs-the-machines-netflix-review/) ## /Film — Josh Spiegel Rating 9 out of 10. 21 April 2021. The critic calls it an enormously funny, big-hearted comedy and a strong addition to Netflix’s animation offerings. They praise how its family emotions and visual humor balance the action without turning the technology theme into a lecture. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/580619/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-review/) ## Paste — Jacob Oller Rating 8.5/10. 30 April 2021. Oller calls it an energetic, endearing animated comedy whose inventive style pushes animation to bold new places. He praises its vivid, meme-inflected visuals and comic timing, while noting that the family drama feels familiar and overlong. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/netflix/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-review) ## Eye for Film — Amber Wilkinson Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 2021. Wilkinson finds the film charming and energetic, despite occasional excess and an overly American slant. She praises its imaginative animation and its perceptive depiction of family friction. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-mitchells-vs-the-machine-2021-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson) ## HeyUGuys — Liam Macleod Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the film imperfect but ultimately inventive, funny, heartfelt, and distinctive. They praise its visual flair and especially the voice performances of Abby Jacobson and Danny McBride. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-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-mitchells-vs-the-machines.md