There are moments throughout the film where characters need to speak their pace, whether that peace is good news, bad news, loving support, hurtful truth, assertiveness, or even the things you shouldn't say and, therefore, leave at peace.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Apr 7, 2024

... The film stands out for exploring the human condition from the awkwardness - and at times humor - that extreme situations produce. The kind that family forces us to go through. [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 10/10 | Jan 2, 2024

It’s the sort of resonant, mid-budget film that we see so rarely these days, and it’s a reminder that when Payne is at his peak, few directors are more skilled at depicting the paradox of human behavior.

| Original Score: 9/10 | Jul 7, 2023

The film could have easily crossed over into a manipulative, melodramatic tearjerker, but instead, Payne treats the material with profound emotions and a very human sense of humor.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 6, 2023

It deals with some weighty subject matter in a real and thoughtful way. It shows glimpses of greatness even though it’s brought back down by some poor creative direction...

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 20, 2022

The Descendants just doesn't seem to me to have that much interesting or new to say

| Jan 10, 2022

Clooney triumphs.

| Apr 22, 2021

Although a pleasant, easily digestible film with beautiful cinematography, The Descendants is light fare with a few plot holes.

| Feb 28, 2021

The subject matter is nothing short of morbidly depressing.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Nov 30, 2020

George Clooney at his best

| Sep 25, 2020

it's newcomer Amara Miller who practically steals the show.

| Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Sep 6, 2020

Payne has substituted his usual scepticism for a huge quota of sentiment and schmaltz which, though undoubtedly appealing to a mainstream audience, seems a fundamental misstep

| Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 21, 2020

'The Descendants' is a fragile, melodramatic story that benefits in large part from a powerful performance by George Clooney. [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 6/10 | Jun 24, 2020

George Clooney manages to turn in a career-best performance as a father of two daughters in the Hawaiian-set The Descendants.

| Original Score: 5/5 | May 6, 2020

...a hard film to criticise, as it is largely an enjoyable and pleasant film - but nothing more. In the end, however, compared to Payne's previous work that is perhaps the most damning criticism that could be leveled at it.

| Feb 13, 2020

In line with his wryly humored filmography, the picture carefully balances mainstream appeal with serious subject matter, all while presenting it through an over privileged family that audiences should naturally feel disconnected to.

| Feb 9, 2020

Plenty to like in this tour-de-force comedy. Seeing it on the big screen is a plus as the cinematography is gorgeous.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Jan 22, 2020

Overall, The Descendants is a lovely film with great performances from [George] Clooney and [Shailene] Woodley.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 10, 2019

A veritable showcase for Clooney, who has honestly never been better than he is here.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 8, 2019

This film feels very authentic, like the viewer is peeking in on a real family trying to cope with a difficult situation. Part of that credit belongs to Payne's magnificent screenplay, but the cast is pretty special, too.

| Original Score: A | May 7, 2019