As the film, with its haunting score and inspired use of popular music, builds flawlessly to its resounding conclusion, it is accompanied by a pitch-dark humor that grows out of the sheer absurdity of the city's daily body count.
One of the most genuinely shocking films you'll ever see.
90
Washington PostStephen Hunter
Washington PostStephen Hunter
It's sad, funny, shocking and completely unlike any movie in a dozen years.
75
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
An utterly nihilistic, harrowingly upsetting vision of hell on earth.
75
San Francisco ChronicleEdward Guthmann
San Francisco ChronicleEdward Guthmann
A marvelous film.
70
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Rough, breathless adaptation of Fernando Vallejo's ferociously sardonic novel.
70
Village VoiceJessica Winter
Village VoiceJessica Winter
The performances can be stiff, but a kinetic mix of anxiety, dread, and numbed resignation is always palpable.
50
Baltimore SunMichael Sragow
Baltimore SunMichael Sragow
The blend of chic histrionics and ultra-bright daylight imagery make much of the movie resemble a network soap opera with an on-location interlude. It looks as cheap as life is held in Medellin.
50
USA TodayMike Clark
USA TodayMike Clark
The movie itself IS dull, however. The characters never engage our interest, and the relentless violence grows monotonous.