86
Metascore
24 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100SalonAndrew O'HehirSalonAndrew O'HehirA stereotype-shattering movie that's full of them, and one that may permanently change the way you think about violent crime in America.
- 88Slant MagazineSlant MagazineAn inspirational and heartbreaking nail-biter, The Interrupters was more difficult for me to watch than any battle documentary I've seen in years.
- 83The A.V. ClubScott TobiasThe A.V. ClubScott TobiasWitnessing outreach workers intervening in these situations is inspiring enough, but their subtlety and nuance in neutralizing people of different backgrounds and temperaments is especially impressive.
- 80Village VoiceMelissa AndersonVillage VoiceMelissa AndersonThe Interrupters reminds us of the powers and pleasures of well-crafted, immersive nonfiction filmmaking.
- 80The New York TimesManohla DargisThe New York TimesManohla DargisThe stories in The Interrupters, a hard wallop of a documentary, may weigh heavily on your heart and head, but they will also probably infuriate you.
- 80New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierNew York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierThis is crucial work, evidenced by a line on a wall of R.I.P. graffiti that reads simply, "I am next." This film of common folks fighting the seemingly inevitable is just as moving.
- 75New York PostKyle SmithNew York PostKyle SmithThe movie is more a situation than a narrative, and it's repetitive and depressing. One interrupter -- a murderer who did 14 years in prison -- says of the program, "In essence, it's just a Band-Aid." At best: One of his colleagues gets shot in the back for his peacekeeping effort.
- James keeps viewer attention the whole time, despite forcing unnecessarily sentimental music on his footage and chopping his scenes down to dramatic highlights rather than letting them play at length.