What buckles The Walker is languid pacing and too much murder-mystery, which isn’t nearly as noteworthy as the social ramifications of this man stepping out of his lane and changing his stripes—or at least considering it.

| Original Score: 6.5/10 | Jun 24, 2024

There's much to recommend in The Walker, from the strong performances, to Schrader's slow and steady direction.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 17, 2021

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 17, 2011

The Walker is a well-lubed vehicle for Schrader's own sunset cruise.

| Aug 24, 2009

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 18, 2008

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 10, 2008

Page is a great character in search of a movie, and "The Walker" doesn't provide it.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Feb 1, 2008

A social dandy finds out he has an unexpected inner strength.

| Original Score: B | Jan 11, 2008

Wittily entertaining stuff, with the cast clearly relishing their snarky dialogue. Plus, the backdrop of political double dealing, with references to Whitewater and other D.C. shenanigans, adds an extra element of interest.

Full Review | Jan 11, 2008

Paul Schrader directs The Walker, and the writer has a way with understatement. Like his 1992 gem Light Sleeper, this movie draws you in with its reserve.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 11, 2008

[G]uilty of the most mortal of all movie sins: It's dull.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Dec 21, 2007

If Schrader was willing to enliven the pace, The Walker would easily become a riveting thriller, but the situation gets resolved with too much ease.

Full Review | Dec 19, 2007

Though hardly a revelatory journey, it's a stroll that offers some modest pleasures along the way.

| Original Score: B- | Dec 18, 2007

There is good writing here, and Thomas is very good as always, but the movie works because of Harrelson's performance.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 14, 2007

It's vaguely interesting, but vagueness isn't a big turn-on for most audiences. You keep wishing The Walker would break into an extended run in some direction. But instead it merely meanders.

| Original Score: C- | Dec 14, 2007

This is no masterpiece, but a fine-tuned little thriller packed with meticulously chosen details of character and place.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 14, 2007

The film feels long and slow, and the subject matter familiar. We never quite get caught up in it, despite the appealing cast; a thriller directed at a snail's pace simply isn't very thrilling.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Dec 14, 2007

There is a deep morality at work here, as often in Schrader's work.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 14, 2007

A mystery that isn't mysterious, a thriller that's barely thrilling.

| Original Score: C- | Dec 13, 2007

The rattling whispers of political critique come off as fledgling efforts to give the film an importance above what it is

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 12, 2007