Despite the over-familiarity of its once-trendy time-tripping plot structure, 96 Minutes maintains a brisk pace and generates a satisfying degree of suspense with its credibly contrived tale of disparate lives forever changed by a violent carjacking.
70
Village Voice
Village Voice
The narrative machinery grows creakier as the plot advances, and the film is a bit too strident about some of the issues at play, but 96 Minutes is admirably knotty nonetheless.
The talented Mr. Ross makes Dre's panic and adrenaline-fueled behavior all too believable. You watch as he sees his horizons dim. What could be sadder?
50
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Director Aimee Lagos seems to be at odds with her own film, like a well-meaning but controlling parent hell-bent on choosing a child's college, major, and fraternity for them.
40
Time Out
Time Out
The film cuts with such precision that there's scarcely any room to breathe; it's the rare thriller that is perhaps too tightly structured.
40
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The film feels overstuffed and overcooked, as if the filmmaker were trying to get too much out all in one go.
Lagos draws strong performances from her young cast, as well as David Oyelowo, who plays Ross' uncle and guardian, but they don't have much to work with.