57
Metascore
18 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80The Hollywood ReporterLovia GyarkyeThe Hollywood ReporterLovia GyarkyeSomebody I Used to Know, written by Brie and her husband Dave Franco (who also directs here), is a sharply conceived and smart romantic comedy — the kind of film that might inspire hasty accusations of trying too hard to be different. It takes the narrative skeleton of the genre and enhances it with its own subversive elements.
- 80VarietyCourtney HowardVarietyCourtney HowardThe romantic comedy genre’s broad, patented hijinks and hilarity are indeed on display, but cleverly cloaked by a beautifully-realized portrait of delicately faceted characters and their relatable conundrums.
- 73Paste MagazineAurora AmidonPaste MagazineAurora AmidonIt’s not every day that you see a by-the-books rom-com squeezing in a semi-twist ending, and Franco does so in an admirably sneaky, cheeky, subtle way. Similarly, Somebody’s moments of genuine, heartfelt drama are bound to pull on your heartstrings.
- 70SlashfilmJeff EwingSlashfilmJeff EwingIt takes some smart turns in the finale that modernize old tropes and give familiar beats a refreshing upgrade to relevant (but perhaps insufficient) degrees. The dialogue and situations feel real and authentic, and the performers land the material and have strong cast chemistry. At the same time, much of the movie is enjoyable but feels inescapably familiar.
- 70Screen RantRachel LaBonteScreen RantRachel LaBonteSomebody I Used to Know is a refreshing take on routine rom-com tropes that, while suffering from a slow start, makes for a rewarding journey.
- 67IndieWireSamantha BergesonIndieWireSamantha BergesonSomebody I Used to Know doesn’t chalk up a failed relationship to circumstance or even bad choices. It’s simply the respectful endurance of love even though that person may not be “the one.”
- 50The New York TimesNatalia WinkelmanThe New York TimesNatalia WinkelmanThe film lacks the indelible details and authentic feeling necessary to encode it in long-term memory. Indeed, soon after finishing the movie, it already feels far away.
- 42The PlaylistKevin JagernauthThe PlaylistKevin JagernauthThere’s not a single moment in the film that is palpably authentic or genuinely romantic, but the ensemble nonetheless puts their pluckiest foot forward.
- 40The GuardianPeter BradshawThe GuardianPeter BradshawThis is an odd combination of broad semi-satirical humour and deeply serious hugging and learning.
- 38Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreThe laughs are few and far between and the “heart,” so important to a good rom-com, is left out altogether.