--- title: "Wonder: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/wonder/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/wonder" critics_score: 68 critics_reviews: 18 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." --- # Wonder (2017): what the critics said Critics' score 68 from 18 reviews: 12 positive, 4 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics come away warm towards Wonder, and the praise gathers almost entirely around Jacob Tremblay. Review after review notes how expressive he manages to be beneath the prosthetics, earning laughs and tears without forcing either. Beyond him, the reviews credit director Chbosky with an understanding of how children behave, a generous spread of attention to the supporting characters, and a plea for kindness that most find persuasive rather than preachy. Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Izabela Vidovic draw steady if quieter notice. The reservations are nearly all the same one: sentimentality. Even the admirers concede the lessons can be obvious and the emotional cues heavy-handed, and the mixed reviews find the message sweet to the point of repetition. The spread is wide at the bottom. The Guardian calls it manipulative and singles out Owen Wilson as a weak link, while Eye for Film finds it predictable but still rates Roberts. ## The Hollywood Reporter — Sheri Linden Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 12 November 2017. Linden finds the film winningly unpretentious and warmly optimistic, with occasional overly obvious lessons. She especially praises Jacob Tremblay’s expressive, full-blooded performance as Auggie. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/wonder-1054898/) ## Radio Times — Trevor Johnston Rating 4/5. The critic finds the drama thoughtful and moving without becoming self-pitying. Jacob Tremblay’s performance is singled out for praise, with Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson also noted as strong support. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-kbg1ie/wonder/) ## The i Paper — Matthew Turner Rating ★★★★. 1 December 2017. Turner finds the film powerfully moving and warmly persuasive in its plea for empathy and kindness. He particularly praises Jacob Tremblay’s expressive performance and the generosity shown to the supporting characters. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/wonder-review-choose-kind-107648) ## Time Out — Joshua Rothkopf Rating 4/5. 30 November 2017. Rothkopf presents it as a graceful, ethically engaged drama. He highlights the soul-searching around appearance and how behavior shapes beauty. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/wonder) ## Empire — Liz Moody Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 28 November 2017. The review finds Wonder warm and persuasive despite occasional sentimentality and heavy-handed messaging. It particularly praises Jacob Tremblay’s expressive performance beneath the prosthetics. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/wonder-2-review/) ## RogerEbert.com — Christy Lemire Rating 3/4. 16 November 2017. Lemire finds the film emotionally effective despite its unabashedly sentimental approach. She particularly praises Jacob Tremblay’s performance as Auggie. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/wonder-2017) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 12 November 2017. Gleiberman finds the film a tasteful, emotionally effective feel-good drama, though its tidy benevolence limits its artistic edge. He praises Chbosky’s nuanced understanding of children and the film’s empathetic treatment of bullying. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/wonder-julia-roberts-owen-wilson-1202612863/) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 17 November 2017. Edelstein finds Wonder emotionally affecting and humane, though its sentimental cues can be heavy-handed. He especially praises Jacob Tremblay’s understated performance and the complex details that deepen the film’s message of empathy. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2017/11/wonder-review.html) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 12 November 2017. The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It provides no accessible praise or complaint beyond identifying the film’s premise. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/wonder-review/5124118.article) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 16 November 2017. The URL identifies this as a review of the 2017 film, but the page response does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It also provides no verifiable detail about what the critic praised or criticized. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/movies/wonder-review-jacob-tremblay-julia-roberts-owen-wilson.html) ## Little White Lies — Emily Bray Rating 2/3/3. 29 November 2017. Bray finds the film enjoyable and sensitive, though its message becomes overly sweet and repetitive. She praises the children’s performances, which bring both levity and weight to the subject matter. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/wonder) ## Slant Magazine — Keith Watson Rating 2/4. 16 November 2017. Watson finds the film warm-hearted but overly sentimental and simplistic in its worldview. He praises the understated handling of the family dog’s death and the reconciliation through Minecraft. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/wonder/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 15/100 (inferred from the text). 12 November 2017. Bradshaw finds the drama manipulative and overly sentimental, with little complexity. He particularly criticizes Owen Wilson’s performance and the film’s simplistic treatment of its characters. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/nov/12/wonder-review-owen-wilson-julia-roberts) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 16 November 2017. Hammond regards the film as a rare, heartwarming family movie with a strong message about kindness. He particularly praises Jacob Tremblay’s assured performance, which earns laughs and tears without forcing either. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2017/11/wonder-review-julia-roberts-jacon-tremblay-1202209380/) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 4/5. 20 November 2017. Brew finds the adaptation warm, humane, and emotionally resonant, with only minor shortcomings. He particularly praises the performances of Jacob Tremblay and Izabela Vidovic, and the film’s focus on Auggie and Via. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/wonder-review/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). The review calls the film uplifting and a must-see family film. It praises the performances and the warm visuals that support the story. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/wonder-review/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 16 November 2017. The critic finds the film a moving, unusually restrained tear-jerker that earns its emotional response. Jacob Tremblay’s performance and the ensemble’s well-developed characters are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/wonder-film-review-julia-roberts-jacob-tremblay/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 23 November 2017. The critic finds the film emotionally manipulative and predictable, though it may appeal to viewers drawn to sentimental stories. He praises Julia Roberts’s performance and calls Isabela Vidovic memorable. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/wonder-2017-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © 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/wonder.md