58
Metascore
17 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80The New York TimesManohla DargisThe New York TimesManohla Dargis[Ms. Shawkat] and Mr. Arteta, a sensitive observer of life’s everyday churn (his credits include “Beatriz at Dinner”), do some lovely work in a movie that reminds you that sometimes all you need in realist fiction is a glimpse into another person’s being — but with heart and intelligence, good craft and technique.
- 70Screen DailyNikki BaughanScreen DailyNikki BaughanUltimately, it works as both a character study and welcome example of an LGBTQ film in which none of the characters are defined by their sexuality or gender, but by their individual choices — both good, and bad.
- 67The Film StageJohn FinkThe Film StageJohn FinkDuck Butter remains a subversive treat for much of its running time, even when it falls into familiar patterns.
- 67The PlaylistKimber MyersThe PlaylistKimber MyersLike its characters, Duck Butter is imperfect, but unlike human objects of our affection, it’s attractive despite its flaws rather than because of them.
- 63Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreMiguel Arteta did “Chuck & Buck” and “The Good Girl,” and in star and co-writer Alia Shawcat, of “Arrested Development” and the TBS series “Search Party,” he’s got a collaborator willing to put it all out there and forget her comic crutches for an intimate, damaged and personal story packed into day and night of enforced intimacy with somebody who might “be the one.”
- 63Slant MagazineGreg CwikSlant MagazineGreg CwikThe setup of a 24-hour relationship that bypasses the getting-to-know-you phase speaks to the nature of expedited modern dating culture, but despite its attempts at intimacy, Duck Butter is difficult to fall in love with.
- 58The A.V. ClubKatie RifeThe A.V. ClubKatie RifeDuck Butter is clever without being all that hilarious, and personal without being all that revealing.
- 40The GuardianBenjamin LeeThe GuardianBenjamin LeeWatching a couple bicker about the specifics of their relationship can be illuminating when done right, but here it becomes a chore, the problems they encounter feeling contrived and silly.
- 40The Hollywood ReporterJon FroschThe Hollywood ReporterJon FroschThe movie is stuffed with talent and buffed with hipster-indie polish. It’s also frequently silly, only fitfully involving and often surprisingly banal despite its outré premise.
- 40Village VoiceKristen Yoonsoo KimVillage VoiceKristen Yoonsoo KimI’m still hopeful about Shawkat’s screenwriting career — especially since her performance always feels so genuine, adding substance to an otherwise deflated story. But other than the script’s daring premise, the material doesn’t rise up to the potential she hints at here: a comedy of ingenuity that takes advantage of Shawkat’s fearless frankness.