Christian Science Monitor by David Sterritt

The eerie tale is steeped in brooding atmosphere and psychological suspense thanks to Glazer's hugely imaginative visual style and creative use of music, sound, and silence.

Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert

An effective thriller precisely because it is true to the way sophisticated people might behave in this situation. Its characters are not movie creatures, gullible, emotional and quickly moved to tears. They're realists, rich, a little jaded.

Premiere by Kevin Allison

There are moments so beautifully composed and so resonant in Jonathan Glazer's (Sexy Beast) sophomore effort, I can at least propose it's a "near-great."

The New York Times by Dana Stevens

Without Ms. Kidman's brilliantly nuanced performance, Birth might feel arch, chilly and a little sadistic, but she gives herself so completely to the role that the film becomes both spellbinding and heartbreaking, a delicate chamber piece with the large, troubled heart of an opera.

Los Angeles Times by Kenneth Turan

What the intelligently spooky Birth does best is disturb us.

Variety by David Rooney

While it veers heavily toward pretentiousness, this striking metaphysical mystery is intensely compelling, conjuring a mood between European high-arthouse and the unsettling psychological horror of "Rosemary's Baby."

USA Today by Claudia Puig

Birth presents an intriguing premise about death and the possibility of rebirth in an elegant, melancholy and deliberate fashion.

Philadelphia Inquirer by Steven Rea

Birth makes its oddball supernaturalism seem completely, compellingly real.

Rolling Stone by Peter Travers

The best of what's onscreen is a mesmerizing mind-teaser.

Film Threat by Rick Kisonak

A fine cast, understated treatment and tantalizing premise make for a movie well worth seeing even if you don't come away believing.

Village Voice by Dennis Lim

If Birth succeeds more as a source of visual and aural enthrallment than as supernatural narrative, it's largely because the final third hovers uncomfortably between the mystical and the earthbound.

Chicago Tribune by Allison Benedikt

For awhile, the stately symphonic score, urbane setting and understated dress make Birth feel powerful--until it feels empty, lacking what Glazer so furiously exhibited in his equally stylized freshman endeavor: heart.

Entertainment Weekly by Owen Gleiberman

When Kidman slithers into a bathtub with her young ''husband,'' the scene, in its soft-pedaled way, is the definition of exploitation: It appears to have been cooked up for no other purpose than to conjure creepy child-porn overtones.

The A.V. Club by Keith Phipps

The ick-factor deepens as the story progresses, but the mystery never does.

The Hollywood Reporter by Ray Bennett

A paranormal mystery without a spine. It has no suspense because it has no belief in itself.

L.A. Weekly by Ella Taylor

Birth may be the most futile application of cinematic and acting skill I've seen all year. A little "Twilight Zone" flummery would have livened up the proceedings to no end.

Dallas Observer by Robert Wilonsky

You're almost tempted to laugh at Birth by the end, but by then you're too busy cursing it to bother.

The Hollywood Reporter

A paranormal mystery without a spine. It has no suspense because it has no belief in itself.

Washington Post by Michael O'Sullivan

Too highbrow for the multiplex and too literal for the hipsters, it's unsatisfying both as gothic camp and serious cinema.