Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

  • Summary: A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hopes of pursuing freedom while also falling in love with his master, the famous female philosophy professor and atheist Hypatia of Alexandria. (Newmarket Films)
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 21
  2. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. 75
    This is a movie about ideas, a drama based on the ancient war between science and superstition. At its center is a woman who in the fourth century A.D. was a scientist, mathematician, philosopher, astronomer and teacher, respected in Egypt, although women were not expected to be any of those things.
  2. 75
    Agora, Alejandro Amenábar's absorbing historical drama, proves that, in an era of movies made for iPhones with artistic ambitions to match, there are still filmmakers willing to swing for the fences.
  3. Reviewed by: Phil de Semlyen
    60
    Always intelligent and thought-provoking, it's a welcome return from Amenábar.
  4. 30
    The drama is torpid, the astronomy lessons pedantic, and the spear-and-sandal production values flat-out cheesy. The whole thing is also historically ludicrous.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Agora is an utterly compulsive piece of historic drama. The set and effects are unbelievably fantastic, the acting is spot on and the plot is guaranteed to delight those with a passion for history or science. This is a great film that will make you want to throw up your arms and immediately turn to nihilism. Collapse
  2. I loved every minute of this wonderful movie! The fall of the Roman empire in the hands of the Christians fundamentalists was depicted with a terrific simplicity, yet with great efficiency. Alexandria, the heart of all knowledge in Antiquity, scorched like a wounded giant... One thing is true about this two hours long story, Rachel Weisz reached a high level of talent in the wondrous incarnation of Hypatia. Expand
  3. 8
    an interesting movie about faith and fundamentalism. i liked it because i agree with it. that is probably one's biggest reason to like the film. i also liked the characters and the science. Expand
  4. Hmm. This is a tough movie to critique. I love historical dramas... especially well made ones. This one falls in the middle in all respects. The acting is passable, the plot is passable and the production values are passable. The problems include that the history behind the personages and events is questionable, the script is a little corny, and the pacing is sometimes slow. The positives: The sets are impressive, the lead character who plays the woman philosopher turns in a strong performance, and you do feel sympathy for some of the characters, despite the corniness. All in all: this is a cautionary tale about religious fanaticism and for that reason alone is worth watching! Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Trailers