Press

Film criticism grew up alongside the movies it covers. As soon as pictures became a serious art rather than a fairground attraction, writers began arguing over what they meant and which ones mattered, and that argument has never really stopped. A sharp review can lift an unknown film out of obscurity or puncture the reputation of a much-hyped one.

Festivals compress this into a few charged days. Critics file quick reactions after morning screenings, distributors read the room, and a title that lands well can carry that momentum for months. The same crush can be brutal — a poorly received premiere is hard to outrun once the early notices set the tone.

Coverage has widened over the years. What was once the work of a few newspaper critics now takes in trade reporters tracking deals, broadcasters chasing interviews, and a large field of independent writers. The result is louder and faster than the old model, but the core job has not changed: to watch closely, judge honestly, and tell people why a film is worth their time or not.