It’s the performances that will stay with viewers for far longer than the shocking conclusion, especially considering the uncertainties surrounding Silkwood's irresolute ending.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Aug 25, 2024

The back half leaves offscreen decisions whose depiction would deepen Silkwood's complicated humanity. But Streep never leans on archetypes & Mike Nichols’ thoughtful blocking visualizes the line Silkwood wishes to walk … and keeps her just off its course

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 22, 2024

One of the best-performed films of 1983, with the result that even those times when Silkwood seems to be repeating itself are likely as not to be illuminated by fine acting.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | May 13, 2023

Silkwood falls into that uneasy modern category of a film with a strong factual base which nevertheless shades off into fiction around its edges, either to avoid lawsuits or to make a more acceptable commercial package.

| May 12, 2023

Mike Nichols' direction does nothing to call attention to itself, just concentrates on letting the story develop -- which it does powerfully.

| May 12, 2023

Silkwood explores the deadly dilemma of people who work in the nuclear industry with a depth and complexity surprising for a mass-market American movie.

| Aug 19, 2022

Streep gives a naturalistic, complex performance. As ever.

| Jan 5, 2022

The film is a particularly relevant women's history lesson with resonance in the current #MeToo initiative in which women are speaking up about harassment and other egregious conditions in their workplaces.

| Oct 5, 2021

It has nothing new to tell us. [Full Review in Spanish]

| Feb 5, 2020

Despite the recent headlines, there will be many people whose only source of Silkwood's story will be this film. They should receive more than the drama of one rash woman's death, no matter how artistically presented.

| Aug 20, 2019

A top notch cast, and a strong, Oscar nominated script by Nora Ephron and Alice Arlen, keep Silkwood from sliding into cliche 'Lifetime movie of the week' territory.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 4, 2019

It's a thought-provoking film that asks questions about the safety of the nuclear power industry that are still pertinent.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 4, 2015

The film seems... unconvincing when it tries to argue the case of Silkwood's martyrdom, but it soars magnificently when it confines itself to the drama of one woman's courage in renouncing complacency for action.

| Mar 4, 2015

Extraordinary portrayals of everyday people characterize the contribution of director Mike Nichols' talented diverse cast. Once again, Nichols justifies his past plaudits for bringing the best out of his players.

| Nov 23, 2014

The facts it can lay its hands on do not support a politically alarming or dramatically compelling conclusion to the mysteries of this case. Nor do they lead to a very uplifting statement about the motives and character of its central figure.

| Jul 1, 2011

A very fine biographical drama.

| Jul 6, 2010

Seemingly better suited for a documentary.

| Original Score: C+ | Jan 9, 2009

Gripping.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 15, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 7, 2008

One of Nichols' best films, Silkwood is effective as factual reportage and portrait of working class life (rare sight in Hollywood cinema), with terrific performances by Meryl Streep, as a new type of American heroine, and Cher, as her lesbian roommate

| Original Score: A- | Dec 13, 2007