Critics’ reviews

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

14 reviews from 14 publications. Critics’ score 45: 1 positive, 6 mixed, 7 negative.

Back to our review of The Twilight Saga: New Moon

45
Positive
1
Mixed
6
Negative
7

Most critics are unconvinced, and even the sympathetic ones hedge. The reviews agree on two things: the film gives its devoted audience what it came for, and it has little to offer anyone else. Where praise appears, it lands on Kristen Stewart, credited by several critics with carrying Bella’s heartbreak, and on the darker, moodier look, which most find an improvement on the first film. Michael Sheen’s brief turn gets a mention or two.

The reservations cluster around pace. Reviewers across the board find the middle section slow, the subplots drawn out and the adolescent angst wearing. The wolf effects draw repeated complaints, and several reviews call the supporting performances wooden. The spread is wide: Variety is alone in rating the sequel as good as or better than its predecessor, while Slant goes furthest the other way, objecting to the romance on moral grounds rather than dramatic ones.

Variety
18 November 2009 · Jordan Mintzer
75*

Mintzer finds the sequel as good as, and perhaps better than, its predecessor, despite some rushed storytelling. He especially praises Kristen Stewart’s emotionally compelling performance, which gives depth to Bella’s heartbreak.

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Screen Daily
18 November 2009 · Mike Goodridge
64*

The review text is unavailable, so its verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the accessible page.

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RogerEbert.com
19 November 2009 · ★★½/4 · Roger Ebert
62

Ebert considers the film a serviceable continuation, chiefly suited to fans of the series. Its Gothic romance is the element he singles out as central to its appeal.

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Time Out
17 November 2009 · ★★★ · Anna Smith
60

Smith gives the sequel a three-star assessment and frames it as a study of sexual and romantic obsession. The available excerpt highlights that thematic focus but cuts off before revealing what she praises or faults.

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The Hollywood Reporter
18 November 2009 · THR Staff
55*

The critic finds the sequel exceptionally faithful to the original, with its slow pace likely to test viewers outside the fan base. They praise the committed performances and dark, moody production values, though some dialogue provokes a smirk.

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The AV Club
19 November 2009 · C- · Genevieve Koski
50

Koski finds the film tedious and unlikely to win new fans, though it delivers what its devoted audience wants. She praises the improved visuals and action, while criticizing the drawn-out subplots and wooden performances.

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Total Film
17 November 2009 · ★★ · Jane Crowther
40

Crowther finds the film an overripe, melodramatic adaptation that will please devoted fans but falls short as a standalone film. She praises Michael Sheen’s entertaining performance, while criticizing the portentous tone and weak CGI wolves.

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The Guardian
19 November 2009 · Peter Bradshaw
35*

Bradshaw finds the sequel predictable and says the franchise is looking anaemic. He praises Kristen Stewart’s acting development and points to a few droll scenes as entertaining highlights.

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Slant Magazine
19 November 2009 · Simon Abrams
15*

Abrams sharply criticizes the film as an incoherent, morally troubling romance. He particularly objects to its presentation of Bella’s relationships with much older Edward and the werewolf Jacob as appealing.

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HeyUGuys
19 November 2009 · Gary Phillips
55*

The critic says the film is not for him but works for its intended audience, with strong performances and casting. He praises Kristen Stewart’s screen presence while faulting the sparse fights and ropey special effects.

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Den of Geek
23 November 2009 · 1 out of 5 · Ron Hogan
41*

Hogan finds the film only marginally better than its predecessor and overwhelmingly poor. He singles out Taylor Lautner as the lone acting standout, while criticizing the plot, performances, and CGI.

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Digital Spy
17 November 2009 · Stella Papamichael
20*

The review finds the sequel a draining, largely empty experience, with its middle section especially weakened by the lack of rapport between Stewart and Lautner. It praises Stewart for carrying the film and giving Bella emotional depth.

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/Film
20 November 2009 · 2/10 · Russ Fischer
20

Fischer finds the film listless, unimaginative, and dramatically empty. He singles out the sharper technical craft compared with the first film, but says the improved effects cannot make up for the lack of genuine feeling.

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Eye for Film
24 November 2009 · Martin Gray
10*

The critic gives the film a strongly negative verdict, finding its central romance unconvincing and its characters joyless. He particularly faults the drawn-out adolescent angst and praises Anna Kendrick and Michael Welch for bringing flashes of fun to small roles.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate