One Hour Photo
Metascore
64 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 35
  3. Negative: 1 out of 35
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  1. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Stephen Hunter
    90
    It begins by scaring you to death by evoking a monster, and by the end it has seduced you into caring for him.
  2. New Times (L.A.)
    Reviewed by: Luke Y. Thompson
    90
    Robin Williams just may have found the greatest role of his career. Playing beautifully both to fans and haters, Williams' Sy is a character you don't know whether to hug or go vigilante on his ass, a balance Bob Hoskins couldn't quite capture in "Felicia's Journey."
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  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    Watching the film, I thought of Michael Powell's great 1960 British thriller "Peeping Tom," which was about a photographer who killed his victims with a stiletto concealed in his camera. Sy uses a psychological stiletto, but he's the same kind of character.
  4. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    88
    Williams triumphs by exceeding both in sheer actor's craft - and the depths he plumbs in his character's tortured soul.
  5. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    88
    Though the writing isn't always specific, Williams is. He differentiates between the murderer in "Insomnia," who wants a cop to understand his motives, and Sy, who realizes no one ever could.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    83
    In One Hour Photo, Williams is a snapshot of human complexity worth framing.
  7. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: William Arnold
    83
    It marks an impressive debut for first-time writer-director Mark Romanek, especially considering his background is in music video. His script is uncluttered and potent, and his direction manipulates a devastating climax that ties the photo/voyeuristic theme together very effectively.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 41
  3. Negative: 9 out of 41
  1. Spidy
    6
    Disturbing movie. Good acting. Creepiest role I ever seen from Robin Williams. Nice storytelling. You must watch it if you like thriller movies. I like it. 7/10… Full Review »
  2. muzicman17
    9
    Here we have a near-perfect thriller told in classic Hitchcoc fashion. The acting and storytelling is great, and Robin Williams does really come off as one of the creepiest roles I have seen him in. Even with his creepiness, we sympathize with him and want him to succeed - at least to some extent. The story and pacing of this film both are great, and it really is a film Alfred Hitchcoc would produce if he were still alive today. I really enjoyed this movie from start to finish. The chemistry between the characters and the many twists in the story make this a wonderful little gem well worth your time to watch.… Full Review »
  3. rotku
    6
    A superb performance by Robin Williams raises this movie above the usual run of the mill thrillers. Although he is disturbed you cannot help but feel a certain sorrow for his character and this is what makes the movie.as the rest of it is fairly obvious stock.… Full Review »
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