Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 40
  2. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. 100
    Deep movie emotions for me usually come not when the characters are sad, but when they are good. You will see what I mean.
  2. 88
    This role could represent a career performance for Cheadle, whose forceful and multi-dimensional portrayal keeps Hotel Rwanda at a consistently high level.
  3. 88
    One of the year's best.
  4. An extraordinary and effective film.
  5. Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    100
    Emerges as an African version of "Schindler's List."
  6. An articulate plea to Westerners not to repeat these terrible sins of omission.
  7. Not a striking film visually. It's deliberately plain looking, focused on the appalling events with an almost documentary immediacy.
  8. Several times, Hotel Rwanda teeters on the edge of making a unique, visionary statement about our times, but can't quite do it. Too bad. If it could have pulled itself together in one brilliant scene, this may have been a great movie, instead of just a very good one.
  9. 100
    Enraging and enthralling.
  10. 90
    The film turns into a triumph for Don Cheadle, who never steps outside the character for emotional grandstanding or easy moralism.
  11. Cheadle impressively carries the entire picture, delivering the kind of note-perfect performance that's absolutely deserving of Oscar consideration.
  12. Reviewed by: Richard Schickel
    90
    It is a powerful portrait of a slightly befuddled man who, when inhuman demands were placed on him, found within himself an unexpected response.
  13. 83
    Cheadle's performance elevates Hotel Rwanda, making it a film that does justice to the tragedy it commemorates.
  14. 90
    A startlingly effective and upsetting political melodrama.
  15. Reviewed by: Glenn Kenny
    88
    By turns harrowing and stirring, it’s a shame-inducing history lesson that never feels like a lecture.
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 190 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 14 out of 139
  1. Hotel Rwanda is a 2004 film directed by Terry George. The story is about the massacre occurred in 1994 in Rwanda, where Hutus massacred almost all Tutsi and of how Paul Rusesabagina found refuge and saved 1200 Hutu and Tutsi. A story that does a lot and think that speaks of the courage of Paul who saved so many lives and the world feigned ignorance. Excellent directed by George and the cast. Full Review »
  2. 10
    Amazing film. If I told myself Catch A Fire was a movie Iâ
  3. Really good! Certainly a film that won't be easily forgotten! If dealing with a real history is very shocking and, unfortunately, still present, because many countries still suffer similar rebellions, as we see in the news about what happened recently in Egypt, and Libya is booming! "Why are people so cruel?" I would like to know too. But there are also people willing to help! I think this campaign is that the world needs, people have to react! Do what they can! I think the actors although aren't well known (apart from Nick Nolte) surprise! I was glad to see that Americans don't get to save everybody, as in several war movies! Very true what the reporter talks about the people watching the news and say "Oh, my God, how awful" and continue to dine with their families! Is what we do! But I think it might be different if anything awaken within us to show that we can indeed act. A film about violence, but also about hope, which I think everyone should see! Full Review »