Chastain makes Maya as vivid as a bloodshot eye. Her porcelain skin, delicate features and feminine attire belie the steel within. Peter Howell-Toronto Star
No doubt Zero Dark Thirty serves a function by airing America's dirty laundry about detainee and torture programs, but in its wake, there's a crying need for a compassionate Coming Home to counter its brutal Deer Hunter. Liam Lacey-Globe and Mail
While "Zero Dark Thirty" may offer political and moral arguing points aplenty, as well as vicarious thrills,as a film it's simply too much of a passable thing. Tom Long-Detroit News
From the very first scenes of Zero Dark Thirty, director Kathryn Bigelow demonstrates why she is such a formidable filmmaker, as adept with human emotion as with visceral, pulse-quickening action. Ann Hornaday-Washington Post
A timely and important reminder of the agonizing human price of zealotry. Colin Covert-Minneapolis Star Tribune
Not only is Zero Dark Thirty one of the year's best movies, it's an inspiring one to share with your daughters. That is, if they're old enough to deal with explicit torture scenes. Lou Lumenick-New York Post
The fact that commentators, pundits, and politicians on both sides of the political spectrum are condemning Zero Dark Thirty is a sure sign that director Kathryn Bigelow and journalist-turned-screenwriter Mark Boal have done something right. James Kendrick-Q Network Film Desk
What makes Zero Dark Thirty such a fascinating film is that it plays both as an engaging procedural thriller and a serious examination of the country's moral compass. It is already doing what great movies do-starting conversation. Eric Melin-Scene-Stealers.com
It asks its audience: When does the risk of doing something outweigh the risk not doing anything? What are the costs of revenge? Where will the "war on terror" take us next? Neil Pond-American Profile
Zero Dark Thirty is the perfection The Hurt Locker promised. Bill Gibron-PopMatters
Zero Dark Thirty is a model of artistic restraint, a film letting fantastic history trump the need to score partisan points. Christian Toto-Big Hollywood
An effective and expertly made film, but a more character-driven story would've added some flesh to the bones of a great, true story. Christopher Lloyd-Sarasota Herald-Tribune
It's particularly comparable to Zodiac, while there are also obvious parallels to Homeland, and a riveting, Call Of Duty-type finale. Stephen Carty-Flix Capacitor
This is an instant classic. Cath Clarke-Time Out
Zero Dark Thirty is a gripping, authentic-feeling account of the dark side of the war on terror. James Mottram-The List
Chastain's Maya is a red-tressed Pre-Raphaelite madonna with the cleft chin and chiseled features of an action hero. John Beifuss-Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
After the lengthy torture scenes, procedural repetition takes over until the murkily-filmed Seal Team 6 raid. But Jessica Chastain is quite convincing as a CIA operative dedicated to her job. Betty Jo Tucker-ReelTalk Movie Reviews
A well-acted, well-intentioned, disjointed mess. Widgett Walls-Needcoffee.com
A well-produced and well-acted procedural/thriller film that stays focused on the frustrating nuts and bolts CIA led search for the elusive Al Qaeda leader. Dennis Schwartz-Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A gripping, almost necessary, piece of filmmaking. Jeffrey Westhoff-Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
The picture acknowledges the very real presence of torture on the post-9/11 landscape -- had the filmmakers ignored the subject, the movie would be little more than vile, jingoistic nonsense. Matt Brunson-Creative Loafing
(Jessica) Chastain's powerful performance, for which she deserves a best actress Academy Award, drives the film. She has no private life, no friends. Her obsession drives her. Bob Bloom-Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
"We always get our man, eventually." Pete Vonder Haar-Houston Press
Bigelow has hamstrung herself by not committing to a viewpoint. This is a by the numbers, cold, emotionally inert, just the "facts" procedural drama that is just barely a step above an episode of Law & Order. Michelle Alexandria-Eclipse Magazine
Bigelow has crafted a film which will keep audiences enrapt for ages to come. Jeanne Kaplan-Kaplan vs. Kaplan
In a strong field of Best Picture nominees, "Zero Dark Thirty" has a decent chance to emerge the winner. David Kaplan-Kaplan vs. Kaplan
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