Critics’ reviews

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

30 reviews from 30 publications. Critics’ score 62: 17 positive, 8 mixed, 5 negative.

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62
Positive
17
Mixed
8
Negative
5

Most critics lean positive on Wonder Woman 1984, with praise clustering around its optimism, emotional warmth and performances rather than its plotting. Gal Gadot’s vulnerable, sincere Diana is the clearest point of agreement, while her chemistry with Chris Pine earns approval even from several sceptics. Pedro Pascal’s exuberance and Kristen Wiig’s mix of comedy and pathos also attract praise. Supporters find the colourful action inventive and welcome the emphasis on compassion over vengeance.

The spread is wide, however, and even favourable reviews frequently describe an overlong, crowded story and a weak final act. Action that some find joyful strikes others as weightless, while the villains divide opinion over how fully they are developed. Vulture sees a hollow spectacle beneath the charm; The New Yorker objects more specifically to the handling of Wonder Woman’s feminist roots and a Cheetah storyline built around jealousy. The consensus favours the heroine more reliably than the adventure.

Empire
16 December 2020 · Ben Travis
85*

The critic finds the sequel a vibrant, hopeful adventure that delivers both blockbuster thrills and emotional warmth. They especially praise Gal Gadot’s graceful, unabashedly feminine portrayal of Diana and the film’s uplifting heroism.

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Evening Standard
18 December 2020 · ★★★★ · Charlotte O'Sullivan
80

O'Sullivan finds the sequel a lovable, exuberant success, though its finale leaves her slightly flat. She especially praises Kristen Wiig's performance as Barbara and Cheetah, singling out her comic timing and pathos.

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Los Angeles Times
15 December 2020 · Justin Chang
80*

Chang finds the sequel exuberant and sincere, praising its overstuffed but cohesive mix of spectacle and satire. He especially singles out Gal Gadot’s magnetic, understated performance as Diana.

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Time Out
15 December 2020 · ★★★★ · Phil de Semlyen
80

The critic finds the sequel overlong but highly likeable and optimistic. They praise Gal Gadot’s performance and Diana’s swamp-draining appeal.

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Total Film
15 December 2020 · ★★★★ · Jamie Graham
80

The critic calls it a much-needed, optimistic blockbuster that delivers a positive message. They praise the inventive action and its exhilarating choreography.

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IndieWire
15 December 2020 · B · Kate Erbland
77

Erbland finds the sequel joyous and deeply enjoyable, with a worthwhile story about truth and personal responsibility. She especially praises Pedro Pascal’s exuberant performance as Max Lord, while noting that the crowded plot and some action are difficult to follow.

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The Guardian
20 December 2020 · Mark Kermode
75*

Kermode finds the sequel entertaining and uplifting, despite its overlong and occasionally baggy plot. He especially praises Gal Gadot’s performance and the film’s joyful presentation of an uncynical heroine.

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Radio Times
15 December 2020 · Huw Fullerton
70*

The review presents the sequel as powerfully entertaining superhero cinema. It praises Pedro Pascal’s performance opposite Gal Gadot and highlights the film’s colourful, action-packed style.

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Variety
15 December 2020 · Peter Debruge
65*

Debruge finds the sequel entertaining as escapist spectacle but says it loses its way in the chaotic finale. He praises Jenkins for keeping the performances and Diana’s inspiring qualities in focus amid the spectacle.

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Screen Daily
15 December 2020 · Fionnuala Halligan
64*

The review’s full verdict is unavailable in the accessible page text. The standfirst only notes the reunion of Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins amid strange times.

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RogerEbert.com
63*

The page content is unavailable, so the critic’s verdict cannot be established. No praise or complaint can be identified from the accessible text.

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The New York Times
24 December 2020
63*

The URL identifies a review of Wonder Woman 1984, but the article text is unavailable. Its verdict and any praise or criticism cannot be verified.

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Slant Magazine
23 December 2020 · ★★½/4 · Chris Barsanti
62

Barsanti finds the film entertaining but overlong and weighed down by an overcomplicated story. He praises its nimble, joyful action and its preference for forgiveness over vengeance.

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Little White Lies
15 December 2020 · 4/3/2 · Hannah Strong
60

Strong finds the sequel muddled and less charming and distinctive than its predecessor. She praises the chemistry between Diana and Steve, while faulting the underdeveloped villains and scattered ideas.

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The i Paper
15 December 2020 · Christina Newland
35*

Newland finds the film imaginative and charming in places, but ultimately overlong and weighed down by unnecessary subplots. She especially praises the natural chemistry between Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, with Pine’s charisma anchoring their scenes.

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The Hollywood Reporter
15 December 2020 · David Rooney
30*

Rooney finds the sequel over-plotted and anticlimactic, despite moments of charm. He praises Gadot’s charismatic performance and the early action sequences, while criticizing the crowded story and underdeveloped villains.

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The New Yorker
25 December 2020 · Jill Lepore
20*

Lepore argues that the film fails to engage with Wonder Woman’s feminist roots and the history surrounding its setting. She criticizes its Cheetah storyline for reducing the character to jealousy rather than giving her greater depth.

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Sight and Sound
14 January 2021 · BFI
15*

The critic finds the film eminently forgettable and joyless. They fault its overlong, thinly developed story and single out the patronisingly didactic mall scene as especially annoying.

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Vulture
15 December 2020 · Angelica Jade Bastién
15*

Bastién finds the sequel a hollow, disappointing spectacle that reflects broader problems in superhero filmmaking. She criticizes its muddled story and weightless action, while noting that Gal Gadot and Chris Pine retain some charm together.

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Den of Geek
15 December 2020 · ★★★★ · Rosie Fletcher
80

Fletcher finds the film a bold, good-natured, and compassionate superhero adventure, despite weaknesses in its logic and final act. She especially praises its female friendship and vibrant, distinctive style.

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/Film
15 December 2020 · 8/10 · Hoai-Tran Bui
80

The critic finds the sequel a worthy, compassionate follow-up whose earnest optimism offers a balm for 2020. She especially praises Pedro Pascal’s charismatic, over-the-top performance as Maxwell Lord.

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NME
15 December 2020 · ★★★★ · Hannah Mylrea
80

The review finds the sequel charming, entertaining and uplifting, with a welcome sense of hope. It especially praises Gal Gadot’s vulnerable, human portrayal of Diana.

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Paste
24 December 2020 · 7.6/10 · Michael Burgin
76

Burgin finds the sequel an improvement, praising its character work and emotional focus while noting its slow stretches and weak villains. He singles out the creative, exhilarating action built around Wonder Woman’s lasso.

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Consequence
24 December 2020 · Jenn Adams
72*

The review finds the film’s message uplifting, though its plot is messy and its sentimentality can feel excessive. It singles out Steve and Diana’s starlit flight through fireworks as a particularly touching moment.

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Eye for Film
24 December 2020 · Jennie Kermode
70*

Kermode finds the film flawed but very enjoyable, with a personal story that gives it charm. She praises Gal Gadot’s vulnerable, emotionally convincing performance and the strong character work.

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HeyUGuys
70*

The critic finds it a big, enjoyable romp, though the final act has notable missteps. They praise Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins for bringing emotional depth to the colourful action spectacle.

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The Ringer
28 December 2020 · Miles Surrey
70*

The critic finds the sequel messy and flawed but endearing, and argues that its chaotic excess makes it an entertaining standout in the DCEU. He especially praises Pedro Pascal’s delightfully unhinged performance as Maxwell Lord.

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The Wrap
24 December 2020
70*

The critic finds the film fresh, witty, and strong in its social satire, though its effects-heavy finale is unwieldy. Kristen Wiig’s transformation from vulnerable Barbara to deadly Cheetah is singled out for praise.

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The Playlist
15 December 2020
64*

The URL identifies this as a review of Wonder Woman 1984, but the page content is blocked. The critic’s verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be determined.

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Digital Spy
15 December 2020 · Gabriella Geisinger
50*

Geisinger finds the film entertaining but mechanically plotted and ultimately underwhelming. She singles out Chris Pine’s nuanced, heartfelt performance as its standout.

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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