Miss Bala

Village Voice by

The character is intentionally lightly drawn: Laura's suffering is symbolic, a surrogate for the suffering of a society helplessly caught in the crossfire.

Salon by Andrew O'Hehir

Terrifically choreographed, violent and amoral, but never wantonly cruel, Miss Bala is a knockout.

Empire by Anna Smith

That innocuous title disguises a Mexican thriller with genuine bite, though the hokey ending doesn't quite live up to the edgy plotting and Sigman's classy turn as a tough heroine in an impossible situation.

IndieWire by Eric Kohn

In each tense moment, Miss Bala has a lot to say in a few words.

Time Out by Joshua Rothkopf

There's a wild, "Miami Blues"–like dreaminess to the movie that's addictive. If anything, it shows up exactly what "Little Miss Sunshine" lacked: plenty of ammo.

Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum

Loosely based on real events, this harrowing, superbly made drama by fast-rising filmmaker Gerardo Naranjo (I'm Gonna Explode) is Mexico's 2012 submission for Best Foreign Language Film - rightfully so.

Rolling Stone by Peter Travers

Naranjo, a graduate of the American Film Institute, has a gift for staging action that defines character. The film is a harrowing experience. It cuts deep.

Movieline by Stephanie Zacharek

Naranjo keeps the action tense but understated; instead of allowing explosions and shootouts to pile up, he rations them in taut doses.