Out of the Blue

Village Voice by

There's some nifty soft-focus cinematography and fine performances, but otherwise, not much to resonate on this side of the pond.

Variety by Dennis Harvey

Chilling, often moving docudrama focuses not so much on the mayhem or murderer, but on the bewildered, occasionally courageous reactions of ordinary citizens caught in the inexplicable violence.

The Hollywood Reporter by Frank Scheck

Ultimately, the film, for all its evident verisimilitude, never really demonstrates a compelling reason for being.

New York Daily News by Jack Mathews

As sensitive to its subject as it is stark in its rendering.

TV Guide Magazine by Ken Fox

With his carefully controlled pacing and superb use of sound, Sarkies draws the viewer deep into the experience of a town caught completely off-guard by a kind of violence they could never have expected, and won't soon forget.

New York Post by V.A. Musetto

A taut thriller based on the tragedy, which remains the most lethal mass killing in New Zealand history.