50
Metascore
12 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75The PlaylistJessica KiangThe PlaylistJessica KiangIt is slow and it is ambiguous but it is supremely sure of itself, as it moves, with singleminded grace from chilly to all-out chilling.
- 70VarietyBen KenigsbergVarietyBen KenigsbergCasting Cassel as a ruthless villain might seem like a cliche, but Kleiman uses him counterintuitively, locating an avuncular, calming quality in the actor.
- 63Slant MagazineChuck BowenSlant MagazineChuck BowenAriel Kleiman fashions an erotic atmosphere of dusty sensuality that complicates our judgement of this world, but he takes shortcuts.
- 60The GuardianThe GuardianYou’re never sure what the characters are capable of achieving and the bottled-up energy that comes out of that feeling runs throughout.
- 60Village VoiceNick SchagerVillage VoiceNick SchagerCassel is never less than transfixing as a savior with a semi-sinister smile, but Partisan's lack of interest in providing necessary context — especially about the ill-defined larger society that Gregori rejects — leaves it operating on a hazy psychological level.
- 58The A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloThe A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloThat sense of mystery definitely keeps Partisan intriguing, though it also creates expectations that Kleiman, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sarah Cyngler, isn’t especially interested in fulfilling.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyThe Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyWhile the systematic corruption of innocents under an outwardly benevolent protector makes for a disturbing scenario, Australian newcomer Ariel Kleiman dulls the unease with his studiedly enigmatic approach.
- 50RogerEbert.comSusan WloszczynaRogerEbert.comSusan WloszczynaPartisan, Cassel’s latest movie that smartly keeps his innate menace on a slow, low simmer, isn’t nearly as convincing or compelling as its star.
- 40The New York TimesHelen T. VerongosThe New York TimesHelen T. VerongosThe screenwriters, Ariel Kleiman (who is also the director) and Sarah Cyngler, have cut their story loose from any real significance, leaving us with Gregori, who has no discernible political views and no unifying beliefs, even delusional ones.
- 40Los Angeles TimesMartin TsaiLos Angeles TimesMartin TsaiIt's hard to tell if director and co-writer Ariel Kleiman is being serious or sarcastic with a story this preposterous.