The tonal shifts between everything this film is trying to be loses the connection with its subject, and that is a real problem.

| Original Score: C- | Aug 1, 2024

We can derive both the themes of Tolkien’s works and of the film itself, such as the power of friendship or unity through language, while still being able to admire the performances.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 14, 2024

Great set design, solid acting and stunning cinematography. It offers insight into the genesis of Tolkien’s stories and will likely be of interest to casual fans. But it’s fairly standard biopic fare that unfortunately only skims the surface...

| Jun 5, 2023

Despite some heavy-handed references to the Middle Earth books, Tolkien is a well-acted and well-directed film that sheds some light on one of the most beloved authors who ever lived.

| Original Score: 8 | Jun 25, 2021

The Tolkien family has renounced the film not, one imagines, because it paints an unflattering portrait of its subject but because, by and large, it's a standard look at a man who is anything but ordinary.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jan 31, 2021

It's easy to derive a great deal of pleasure in Hoult and Collins together. Their relationship has an innocent charm that is wonderful to witness.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 28, 2020

Tolkien gets certain parts of the story spot on, and does so with a visceral style that makes for compelling viewing. Where it bogs down is everywhere else.

| Original Score: 3 / 5 | Jul 27, 2020

On its surface, Tolkien is about all of the bits of the author's life that influenced his grand fantasy world ... Yet, [it] is much more than such literary references. It is a film about love and friendship.

| Jun 28, 2020

Anyone who enjoys watching public school boy 'banter' being thrown around over cups of tea are in for a treat.

| Original Score: 5/10 | Feb 6, 2020

It's a biopic that somehow glosses over things whilst also simultaneously spending too long on them, too.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 29, 2020

Biopics can be better than this; they just have to want to tell us something more than the Cliff's Notes of a life well lived.

| Jan 18, 2020

Tolkien succeeds (in a non-entertaining way) in showing how regular people's lives can inspire great works, but it utterly fails in showing the importance and impact of the work itself, which is why we're actually drawn to the man.

| Dec 6, 2019

The strength of this film resides not in its storytelling, but in the performances conveyed by the actors onscreen as well as the visuals that infused magic with reality.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Sep 30, 2019

It's not terribly interesting. There are more interesting things about Tolkien in this period that [this movie] is not telling.

| Sep 28, 2019

Tolkien observes the general human need for kindred spirits, comrades-in-arms, cohorts to spur passion and purpose, friends to live and love and die alongside.

| Aug 19, 2019

Hoult does a fine job portraying the troubled young man who would later become an incredible author. He comes across as intelligent, passionate and compassionate.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 13, 2019

The spoon-feeding does not just feel silly and pandering, it is distracting - as in a video game, Easter egg-hunting draws attention away from the key story.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 17, 2019

Tolkien is the kind of movie that will give no joy to fans of his fantasy fiction.

| Jun 25, 2019

Well-directed with a close eye by journeyman Finnish director Dome Karukoski, the film looks handsome and offers a well-rounded look at the English class system while also providing insights into the inspirations behind Tolkien's visions.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 25, 2019

Tolkien is innocuous but uninspiring.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 21, 2019