58
Metascore
14 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 88RogerEbert.comRobert DanielsRogerEbert.comRobert DanielsRiddle of Fire can sometimes lose its spit, however, spinning too listlessly to the script’s mazy ruts. But there is an uncommon, finely struck sweetness to this film that keeps it from tumbling down mean, unsavory paths.
- 83Paste MagazineAndrew CrumpPaste MagazineAndrew CrumpLife for today’s young’uns is frankly terrifying, even if they aren’t literally living inside a horror film, with overarching threats to their future dotted by day-to-day micro-threats. In its unassuming way as real-world fantasy, Weston Razooli’s Riddle of Fire is sensitive to these plights, and casually rejects didactic allegory about them.
- Riddle of Fire has some of the tell-tale hallmarks of a debut feature: it’s much too long, its performances are a bit awkward, the tone inconsistent. Yet it marks a tremendous showcase for Razooli, his varied talent across many fields.
- 65The Daily BeastNick SchagerThe Daily BeastNick SchagerIt may be messy, but then, what child’s story isn’t?
- 58IndieWireDavid EhrlichIndieWireDavid EhrlichRiddle of Fire is all too happy to wander around in circles as it simmers in its own absurdity, as if any kind of legitimate incident might threaten to break its spell.
- 50The PlaylistMike DeAngeloThe PlaylistMike DeAngeloThere are pockets of joy and wonder, but they’re not quite enough to let “Riddle of Fire” stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the cinematic classics that inspired it.
- 50Screen DailyTim GriersonScreen DailyTim GriersonAn overly precious tone ultimately sinks the writer-director’s attempt to recapture the enchantment of adolescence.
- 50ColliderChase HutchinsonColliderChase HutchinsonWhile the title promises fire, the only riddle remaining is where the adventure it was searching for ended up disappearing to.
- 40The Hollywood ReporterLovia GyarkyeThe Hollywood ReporterLovia GyarkyeRiddle of Fire tries to capture the extraordinary way kids experience the world, but the results border on twee.
- 40The New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisThe New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisRazooli wants us to see the fantastical narratives children conjure to manage real-world uncertainties, but his vision lacks focus.