31
Metascore
23 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 58IndieWireKate ErblandIndieWireKate ErblandWhile the film attempts to thread a tricky needle between absolute drama and wacky comedy — dramedy! — Harris’ script is actually at its best when leaning more into the story’s tougher stuff.
- 42The PlaylistMarya E. GatesThe PlaylistMarya E. GatesIt’s nice to see McCarthy and O’Dowd in roles that showcase their emotional range; one just wishes it were in a project worthy of their talents.
- 40TheWrapElizabeth WeitzmanTheWrapElizabeth WeitzmanThe smooth professionalism of so many outstanding participants can’t help but elevate a very ordinary film a little bit higher. Despite the best efforts of both McCarthy and O’Dowd, though, there’s never a moment where it truly takes flight.
- 40Screen DailyTim GriersonScreen DailyTim GriersonThe actors lend sincerity to the proceedings, but the film keeps cheating to achieve its dramatic payoffs.
- 38RogerEbert.comBrian TallericoRogerEbert.comBrian TallericoWhile this kind of manipulative melodrama is often easy to dismiss, what makes The Starling even more frustrating is the amount of talented people who got sucked into its spin cycle of sadness.
- 30The Hollywood ReporterCaryn JamesThe Hollywood ReporterCaryn JamesWith a predictable trajectory and cringeworthy metaphors, The Starling is so slushily sentimental it makes the typical tearjerker look like a noir. Despite the lived-in performances from its three high-profile stars, this attempt at heartfelt drama is hopelessly by-the-numbers.
- 30Screen RantMae AbdulbakiScreen RantMae AbdulbakiWhat could have been a thoughtful, poignant story about loss ended up being an unfortunate misfire.
- 25San Francisco ChronicleCarla MeyerSan Francisco ChronicleCarla MeyerMcCarthy is one of our finest physical comedians. Every moment of physical comedy she performs here is cringey.
- 20The GuardianPeter BradshawThe GuardianPeter BradshawEvery implausible scene, every unconvincing character, every contrived dollop of symbolism, every toe-curlingly misjudged and unearned emotional climax seems as if it has been concocted in some secret bio-warfare lab for assaulting your mind with pure, toxic nonsense.