--- title: "The Rhythm Section: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-rhythm-section/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-rhythm-section" critics_score: 44 critics_reviews: 20 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 Rhythm Section (2020): what the critics said Critics' score 44 from 20 reviews: 4 positive, 5 mixed, 11 negative. Most critics find The Rhythm Section a disappointing revenge thriller, though praise repeatedly returns to Blake Lively’s committed, physically convincing performance. Several reviews welcome a would-be assassin whose clumsiness and vulnerability make her seem human rather than effortlessly capable. The bruising fights and tense car chase also draw approval, including from critics otherwise unconvinced by the film. For its supporters, that grounded approach gives a familiar story enough distinction to work. The reservations centre on thin characterisation, muddled plotting and a solemn tone that leaves too little excitement. There is a wide spread of opinion, with even the action dividing critics: some find it immediate and unsettling, others confusing or flat. Paste praises Morano’s visually imaginative direction, while The AV Club finds the cinematography showy and the visual storytelling incoherent. The central disagreement is how much the vulnerable heroine and physical action compensate for the weaknesses in the script. ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland Rating B. 31 January 2020. Erbland finds the thriller gritty and compelling, though its plot grows needlessly complicated and some relationships feel improbable. She especially praises Blake Lively’s physical, nuanced performance and the film’s bruising fight scenes. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-rhythm-section-review-blake-lively-reed-morano-1202207516/) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2020. Debruge finds the familiar revenge-thriller plot worthwhile because the film feels unexpectedly human. He praises Blake Lively’s committed performance and Stephanie’s believable ineptitude as an action hero. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/the-rhythm-section-review-blake-lively-1203484835/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2020. Bradshaw finds the film a serviceable thriller that works well enough despite a shaky opening. He singles out the watchable rapport between Blake Lively and Jude Law, alongside the well-assembled fights, stunts and car chases. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jan/29/the-rhythm-section-review-blake-lively-jude-law) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict and any specific praise or complaint are unavailable. The visible page only displays a browser check. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-rhythm-section-movie-review-2020) ## Time Out — Dan Jolin Rating 3/5. 30 January 2020. The review finds the thriller’s action generic but Blake Lively’s performance refreshingly clumsy. It singles out her distinctive take on a vengeance-driven spy as the film’s bright spot. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-rhythm-section) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2020. Walsh finds the film an uneven but refreshing entry in the action-spy genre. She praises its grounded portrayal of Stephanie as an inexperienced, human would-be assassin, while faulting the thin storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-01-29/rhythm-section-review-blake-lively) ## Little White Lies — Charles Bramesco Rating 3/2/1. 30 January 2020. The review finds the film shallow and poorly connected, with an ending that fizzles. It praises the physicality of the action, especially a one-take car chase. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-rhythm-section) ## Empire — James Dyer Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2020. Dyer finds the thriller disappointingly lightweight and too simplistic to make its story of identity and revenge land. He praises Blake Lively’s steely yet vulnerable performance, while criticizing the action direction for draining excitement. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-rhythm-section/) ## Screen Daily — Fionnuala Halligan Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2020. Halligan describes the adaptation as underwhelming. The available text identifies Blake Lively’s prostitute-assassin role but offers no further specific criticism. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-rhythm-section-review/5146691.article) ## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole Rating 1/4. 29 January 2020. The critic finds the film a self-serious bore with hollow characters and absurd plotting. He singles out its disastrous attempts at spycraft and pseudo-feminist empowerment as especially ineffective. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review-the-rhythm-section-is-gonna-get-you-with-self-seriousness/) ## The AV Club — Ignatiy Vishnevetsky Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2020. Vishnevetsky finds the thriller overcooked and short on fun, basic thrills, or coherent visual storytelling. He singles out Jude Law as the one cast member who seems to enjoy himself, while criticizing the film’s showy cinematography and gimmickry. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/blake-lively-gets-the-bond-treatment-in-the-overcooked-1841290873) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2020. Scheck finds the thriller unintentionally comic and weighed down by a strained, overly solemn tone. He praises Blake Lively’s grit and performance, but says the convoluted plot and constant changes make the story difficult to follow. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/rhythm-section-review-1274004/) ## The New Yorker Fi1m's normalised score 10/100 (inferred from the text). The review pans the film as witless, soulless, and dramatically thudding. It faults the flimsy plot and says Blake Lively is left with little to do beyond wigs and stunts. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/the-rhythm-section) ## Paste — Oktay Ege Kozak Rating 7.4/10. 2 February 2020. Kozak calls the film a smart, insightful genre exercise, though its familiar plot twists are easy to anticipate. He singles out Morano’s visually imaginative direction and a gripping car chase for praise. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/reed-morano/rhythm-section-review) ## Digital Spy — Ian Sandwell Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2020. Sandwell finds the thriller imperfect but promising, with its grounded approach delivering consistent thrills after a slow, familiar start. He particularly praises the tense first-person car chase and Blake Lively’s compelling performance. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a30606482/rhythm-section-review-blake-lively/) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 3/5. 29 January 2020. Kaye finds the film admirable but not fully enjoyable, citing its muddled story and uneven execution. He praises its gritty realism and focus on Stephanie’s vulnerability, especially in the action scenes. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-rhythm-section-review/) ## Eye for Film — Andrew Robertson Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 2 April 2022. The critic finds the film weighed down by familiar clichés, though it has occasional inventive moments. They praise the tense cinematography and singled-out visual choices, while concluding the story ultimately feels like a tune heard before. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-rhythm-section-2020-film-review-by-andrew-robertson) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the film a well-paced but unoriginal spy thriller that fails to create a compelling new female hero. They praise its smart design but fault its shallow character development and oppressive score. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/the-rhythm-section-review-bond-2602789) ## Polygon — Karen Han Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 31 January 2020. The critic finds the film incoherent and ultimately unsuccessful. She praises the claustrophobic, anxiety-inducing fight scenes but faults the thin characterization and inconsistent story. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/31/21117031/the-rhythm-section-review-blake-lively-jude-law/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 15/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2020. The critic finds the film an empty, muddled revenge thriller that fails to make its protagonist’s grief or motivation convincing. A chaotic Tangier car chase briefly delivers the energy and intensity missing elsewhere. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/the-rhythm-section-film-review-blake-lively-jude-law/) --- © 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-rhythm-section.md