--- title: "Theater Camp: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/theater-camp/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/theater-camp" critics_score: 74 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." --- # Theater Camp (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 74 from 19 reviews: 14 positive, 4 mixed, 1 negative. The reviews are mostly warm, and the praise gathers in the same places: the density of the jokes, the young cast, and the original songs that carry the final act. Several critics single out Jimmy Tatro and Ayo Edebiri, and most agree the mockumentary format suits the material. The comparison to Waiting for Guffman comes up again and again, rarely to the film’s advantage; even admirers concede it has less bite and thinner characters than Christopher Guest’s work. The reservations cluster around niceness. Sight and Sound finds the affection softens the gags, Little White Lies calls the insider humour cliquey, and The Guardian thinks the earnest musical ending undoes the catty fun of the first two-thirds. A few note a sagging midsection. The spread is fairly wide, from five-star raves to a lone negative from Slant Magazine, which finds the improvisation forced and the characters one-note. Most critics land somewhere between fond and impressed. ## The Times — Ed Potton Rating ★★★★★. 25 August 2023. Genuinely funny as well as moving, this satire is a must-see part laugh-out-loud satire and part life-affirming love letter to amateur dramatics. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/theater-camp-review-it-s-spinal-tap-for-theatre-kids-wq9c7dn6x) ## Empire — Sophie Butcher Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 22 August 2023. The mockumentary format is employed to glorious effect, with relentless gags, spot-on performances and a heartfelt ode to theatre camps. It confirms impressive directorial talent from Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/theater-camp/) ## The i Paper — Christina Newland Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 25 August 2023. This hilarious mockumentary lampoons theatre-kid culture with self-satirising charm and good humour, delivering relentless jokes and hyper-specific laughs. It balances broad appeal with specificity but falls short of the character depth in Waiting for Guffman. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/theater-camp-review-hilarious-mockumentary-triumph-drama-geeks-oddballs-2567632) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 16 August 2023. The critic praises it as sparky, big-hearted and entertaining, noting its sincere affection for musical theatre and progressive spirit. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/theater-camp-2023) ## The AV Club Rating B. 13 July 2023. The critic calls it a winning comedy with echoes of Waiting for Guffman, praising the sharp details, lively performances, and brisk joke rhythm that delivers big laughs from small stakes. It succeeds through relatable characters and a streamlined approach that avoids excess. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/theater-camp-movie-review-1850632534) ## Sight and Sound Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 28 August 2023. The critic finds the comedy affectionate but notes that its prevailing niceness softens the gags; praises the film's celebration of quirky theatre kids as quietly radical. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/theater-camp-affectionate-stage-kid-mockumentary) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 July 2023. The review describes the film as a cheerfully nostalgic and affectionate mockumentary that basks in its world of devoted theater enthusiasts, though it lacks enough edge or conflict to fully commit. It notes the timely context of labor issues adds a subtle layer to its celebration of joy in performance. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/theater-camp-review-too-sweet-to-take-issue-with.html) ## The Independent Rating 2.5/4. 12 July 2023. The film is a tame but sweet mockumentary that hits the right note between satire and sincerity, with strong song-and-dance elements. It sidelines Amy Sedaris too early and relies on expected inside jokes. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ap-troy-christopher-guest-amy-sedaris-def-leppard-b2374187.html) ## Little White Lies — Saskia Lloyd Gaiger Rating 2/3/2. 24 August 2023. The critic appreciates the kids and cameos but finds the insider humour cliquey and exclusive, better for am-dram enthusiasts. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/theater-camp) ## Radio Times — James Mottram Rating 3/5. Describes it as fitfully funny with some strong adult performances but underdeveloped characters and hit-and-miss overall. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ly05oj/theater-camp/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2023. Festival review. Finds it a likeable hit-and-miss Christopher Guest-style comedy that will appeal to musical theatre lovers but may feel indulgent to others. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/theater-camp-sundance-review/5178366.article) ## Slant Magazine — Derek Smith Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 7 July 2023. The critic finds the largely improvised comedy forced and laborious compared to Christopher Guest's work, with repetitive jokes and one-note characters that grow tiresome despite some chuckles. Ayo Edebiri's relaxed performance stands out as a highlight amid the self-parody. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/theater-camp-review-molly-gordon-ben-platt/) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland 22 January 2023. Festival review. The review praises the charming and hilarious mockumentary as a clever new entry in the canon, likening it to Waiting for Guffman but without the bite. It celebrates the film's affectionate look at theater kids and their world. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/theater-camp-review-1234798024/) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh 14 July 2023. This collective has brought to life one of the funniest, most specific comedies of the year: a savvy but loving satire of young theater geeks. The joy of “Theater Camp” is simply swimming around in this world, so perfectly rendered, down to every detail of costume design, and dense, referential dialogue. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-07-14/review-theater-camp-mockumentary-musical-ben-platt) ## RogerEbert.com — Christy Lemire 14 July 2023. The mockumentary is by, for, and about hardcore theater nerds, but there’s enough infectious, let’s-put-on-a-show energy to entertain casual fans—for a while, anyway. The filmmakers’ affection for the material is evident, yet the execution doesn’t always match the power of their emotions, with the film dragging in the midsection before picking back up for the big finale. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/theater-camp-movie-review-2023) ## The Guardian 27 August 2023. The mockumentary is enjoyable with catty sniping in the first two-thirds but ultimately undermined by an earnest musical ending that fails to land. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/27/theater-camp-review-affectionately-acerbic-comedy-about-musical-theatre-kids) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney 24 January 2023. Festival review. The critic finds the mockumentary an affectionate but uneven salute to theater kids and their eccentric educators, with some insider jokes landing but others feeling cute rather than uproarious. It overlaps with sharper films like Waiting for Guffman while highlighting the cast's commitment to the milieu. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/theater-camp-review-ben-platt-1235308608/) ## The Telegraph 7 December 2023. This joyous mockumentary lampoons its subjects with boundless affection and is the funniest film in years, working in the Christopher Guest tradition. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/theater-camp-review-funniest-comedy-in-years/) ## Variety — Peter Debruge 25 January 2023. Festival review. Longtime friends Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman have assembled an intermittently amusing, mostly ad-libbed, wannabe 'Waiting for Guffman' set in the world of junior acting programs. The feature version is more of the same, minus the laughs, but the creative team have come up with a suite of catchy, clever original songs that snap the film into place for a satisfying finale. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/theater-camp-review-molly-gordon-ben-platt-1235501172) ## Digital Spy — Ian Sandwell Rating 5/5. 6 December 2023. The critic calls it the funniest comedy of the year and a loving tribute to theatre kids and their camps. They single out the relentless gags, excellent ensemble performances (especially the young cast and Jimmy Tatro), and the heartfelt final act with its original musical. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a44840009/theater-camp-review/) ## Consequence Rating A-. 14 September 2023. Festival review. The critic calls the film a hilarious and authentic showcase of musical theater training that deserves a standing ovation for its pitch-perfect details. The hyperspecific script and joyful capture of the niche world are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2023/09/theater-camp-review-ben-platt/) ## Polygon — Austen Goslin Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 14 September 2023. The piece declares the film the funniest of the year for its brilliant mockumentary balance of charm, humor, and short runtime. The ensemble cast and Christopher Guest-inspired style are highlighted as making it instantly recognizable and endearing. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/23870645/theater-camp-hulu-streaming-funniest-comedy-movie-2023) ## /Film — Ethan Anderton Rating 8/10. 29 January 2023. Festival review. Praises the sidesplitting laughs, wonderful ensemble cast, and the mockumentary style, highlighting the passion of the filmmakers and the great finale with original songs, though noting some trouble sustaining the runtime with montages. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1181501/theater-camp-review-this-sidesplitting-comedy-can-rub-elbows-with-the-best-mockumentaries-sundance/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2023. Festival review. The quick-witted mockumentary is a sidesplitting and largely improvised crowd-pleaser that is both mischievously critical and adoring of its theater-kid microcosm. It is propelled forward by its extraordinary group of young actors. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/theater-camp-review-ben-platt-molly-gordon/) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating B. 8 February 2023. The critic finds the mockumentary a loving parody of theater kids that works thanks to its high joke density and self-deprecating performances, even if it does not surpass the best of the genre. Platt and Gordon are singled out for their chemistry and self-aware turns. [Read the review](https://collider.com/theater-camp-review/) ## Deadline — Valerie Complex Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2023. Festival review. The mockumentary is a hilarious and vibrant debut from first-time directors, full of vulnerability and earnestness. It excels when focusing on the quick-witted, authentic young campers. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2023/01/theater-camp-sundance-film-festival-review-molly-gordon-nick-lieberman-1235236858/) ## Paste — Jacob Oller Rating 7.5. 14 July 2023. The review praises the film as a charming, fast-moving farce that succeeds through delivery and specific humor even when the plot is thin. The cast, especially Tatro and the young performers, is highlighted for elevating the material. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/sundance-2023/theater-camp-review) ## The Playlist — Gregory Ellwood Rating B-/C+. 22 January 2023. Festival review. The critic finds the film enjoyable despite not being a musical theater expert, praising the hilarious songs and staging of the show, the young performers, and Noah Galvin's performance, though noting it relies on title cards and has some editing issues. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/theater-camp-review-noah-galvin-the-kids-save-the-day-sundance-20230122/) --- © 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/theater-camp.md