The Paperboy Reviews
Rip It Up
While there's much here about family loyalty and a 'don't mess with the swamp' aspect, Daniels' film has nevertheless been most discussed for its sex stuff, with every character having some sleazy secret or a scene devoted to their raunchy pleasure.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/5
Screenwize
A seething, swampy murder investigation infused with the sweaty smell of bodies and driven by a casual force that is seductively unstable, darkly funny and strangely exhilarating. Daniels is a visionary.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Times [UK]
The Paperboy is flawed, more deserving of a rubbernecking than a viewing. But it's hard to tear your eyes away.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Birmingham Mail
( ... ) a film that captivates, puzzles and loses its own sense of direction in equal measure
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
3AW
Judging by her edgier scenes [Nicole] Kidman is clearly uninterested in currying any favour at the multiplex. And all credit to her.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Contactmusic.com
Filmmaker Daniels follows up his acclaimed hit Precious with what might be the trashiest movie in recent memory: a swampy thriller packed with desperate characters hiding grisly secrets.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Sun Online
At least The Paperboy delivers plenty of memorable moments - even if you may wish you hadn't seen many of them.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Little White Lies
A sleazy, overstuffed and terribly directed mess. But never boring and occasionally jaw-dropping.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
ViewLondon
Sweaty, sleazy and gloriously trashy, this is a thoroughly enjoyable slice of Southern-fried neo-noir with stylish direction, a delightfully twisted script and a trio of terrific performances from Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey and Zac Efron.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Daily Star
Daniels probably makes the mistake of putting character and atmosphere ahead of plot. But with a cast like this you can hardly blame him.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Empire Magazine
Watch it with Killer Joe for the ultimate sweaty, twisted double-bill.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Cinema Autopsy
Everything about The Paperboy seems designed to undermine expectations and the result is an exhilaratingly unpredictable film.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4.5/5
Quickflix
On their first meeting in prison, [Hillary] demands [Charlotte] put on a sex show of sorts in front of everyone. She obliges. Look, dating is tough.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/5
FILMINK (Australia)
But what does it have going for it? It has an undeniable pulse.
The Sun Herald
Nicole Kidman is enthralling in this swampy, deranged neo-noir set in the American south.
Full Review
| Original Score: 7/10
The Skinny
The Paperboy hints at something great, but squint past the trickles of perspiration and you're left wanting.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Total Film
The Paperboy is a throwback to the exploitation cinema of its period. As such, it's grungy, tasteless and hard to take your eyes off.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
BET.com
'The Paperboy' is a film that will get the respect it deserves years later. One day, film schools will dissect the movie and marvel at the flick's wondrous deconstruction of race, gender and class.
Full Review
| Original Score: A
The National
With its superior cast all delivering like their lives depend on it, Daniels' camp, trashy tragicomedy seems destined for cult status. Kidman, especially, is a revelation.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
