--- title: "The Twilight Saga: New Moon: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-twilight-saga-new-moon/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-twilight-saga-new-moon" critics_score: 45 critics_reviews: 14 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 Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009): what the critics said Critics' score 45 from 14 reviews: 1 positive, 6 mixed, 7 negative. 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 — Jordan Mintzer Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 18 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/the-twilight-saga-new-moon-1200477394/) ## Screen Daily — Mike Goodridge Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 18 November 2009. The review text is unavailable, so its verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the accessible page. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-twilight-saga-new-moon/5008025.article) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 2.5/4. 19 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-twilight-saga-new-moon-2009) ## Time Out — Anna Smith Rating 3/5. 17 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-twilight-saga-new-moon-1) ## The Hollywood Reporter — THR Staff Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 18 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/twilight-saga-new-moon-film-93768/) ## The AV Club — Genevieve Koski Rating C-. 19 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-twilight-saga-new-moon-1798207503) ## Total Film — Jane Crowther Rating 2/5. 17 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-twilight-saga-new-moon-review/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/nov/19/twilight-saga-new-moon-review) ## Slant Magazine — Simon Abrams Fi1m's normalised score 15/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-twilight-saga-new-moon/) ## HeyUGuys — Gary Phillips Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/review-the-twilight-saga-new-moon/) ## Den of Geek — Ron Hogan Rating 1 out of 5. 23 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/twilight-new-moon-review/) ## Digital Spy — Stella Papamichael Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 17 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a186951/the-twilight-saga-new-moon/) ## /Film — Russ Fischer Rating 2/10. 20 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/506241/the-twilight-saga-new-moon-movie-review-let-the-wrong-one-in/) ## Eye for Film — Martin Gray Fi1m's normalised score 10/100 (inferred from the text). 24 November 2009. 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. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-twilight-saga-new-moon-film-review-by-martin-gray) --- © 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-twilight-saga-new-moon.md