80
Another shrewdly gauged study of our capacity for deception and self-deception from A Separation’s auteur. Emotionally devastating.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
91
This is clearly the work of a master in the making, an artist on the cusp of greatness. Farhadi may be fixated on fibbers, but there’s almost no one working today who makes films so emotionally honest.
80
While not equaling the depth of characterization of Farhadi’s previous films, About Elly takes the complexity of his storytelling to a fascinating level. However, the variable quality of the thesping also prevents the pic from being his best work.
80
The New Yorker by Anthony Lane
About Elly both clutches us tight and shuts us out, adding wave upon wave of secrets and lies.
88
Asghar Farhadi's sensibility embodies a combination of empathy and paranoia that's striking considering that the latter is normally driven by self-absorption.
60
Time Out London by Dave Calhoun
The writing and direction lean towards the obvious, but there’s much to chew on regarding tradition, progress and the power of the white lie.
60
Farhadi’s gifted storytelling and direction is on show again in a damning look at Iranian society.
90
The Hollywood Reporter by Deborah Young
A taut, involving drama centered around the mysterious disappearance of a young woman, About Elly confirms director Asghar Farhadi as a major talent in Iranian cinema whose ability to chronicle the middle-class malaise of his society is practically unrivaled.
80
The Guardian by Peter Bradshaw
About Elly confirms Farhadi's shrewd judgment of pace, dramatic technique and formal control of an ensemble cast.
80
The Telegraph by Robbie Collin
Farhadi’s films are like moral whodunits, and as Sepideh and her friends gradually unearth the truth, he expertly buffets our sympathies in all directions until the very last shot.