Bully
Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
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  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    Mar 29, 2012
    90
    Bully forces you to confront not the cruelty of specific children - who have their own problems, and their good sides as well - but rather the extent to which that cruelty is embedded in our schools and therefore in our society as a whole.
  2. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Corliss
    Mar 29, 2012
    90
    A documentary as vivid as any horror film, as heartbreaking as any Oscar-worthy drama.
  3. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    Mar 30, 2012
    88
    The best social documents on film do more than show you what's wrong in the world – they make it personal. Bully does that with a passion.
  4. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    Mar 29, 2012
    88
    Bully forces audiences to face actions that are unthinkable, inexcusable and excruciatingly sad. It offers no solutions, only the testimony of brave youths.
  5. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    Mar 28, 2012
    88
    The purpose of Bully is to educate and promote discussion. If the problem is not solved, there will be more Columbines and additional stories like Tyler and Ty's.
  6. New York Observer
    Reviewed by: Rex Reed
    Mar 28, 2012
    88
    Lee Hirsch is certainly one who is making a difference. I endorse him and his brave, powerful movie and urge you to see it for yourself. You might leave Bully with rage, but you will not leave Bully with indifference.
  7. NPR
    Reviewed by: Bob Mondello
    Mar 30, 2012
    85
    All I can add to the discussion is the fervent hope that any parents, teachers, administrators or students who see it will immediately start clamoring for it to be shown at their next PTA meeting.
  8. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    Apr 12, 2012
    83
    Some movies uses make-believe to make you squirm or cry or rise to righteous anger. Bully does all of that with reality.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    Mar 28, 2012
    83
    As long as the MPAA is issuing its cavalier decrees, though, they're the ones acting like bullies.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. FDT44
    7
    Hard hitting, thought provoking, heart-rending and timely, "Bully" is a documentary that approaches an all too familiarly overlooked subject in a way that hasn't yet been explored; its graceful, and sure to pull on the heartstrings. However, unlike its unimpeachable intent and central message, "Bully," the film, undermines the totality of the subject by avoiding to satisfy it on an intellectual level; not a single interview with the titular contributors (bullies) or even a mere statistic solidifying the real-life gravity of the issue. For everytime a tear is shed, another opportunity is flubbed away from making it truly great and equally, memorable. As it is, "Bully," is a "cause for change" docupic that does offer moments of arising deep-seated pathos and stirring those around those emotions, but the erratic editing and the degree of simplicity derived from the omission of key tangibles, keeps back what could have been a game-changing medium for ages to come. Still among the best documentaries of 2012.… Full Review »
  2. MegWhiteley
    10
    Awesome documentary really. The development of the documental y really exactly. Bully is a demand for this actual problem that much kids live, and be a good pack.… Full Review »
  3. TVJerry
    6
    This is a review of the movie, NOT the message. It follows several parents and their middle school children, who are subject to taunting and physical abuse by their peers. There's too much filler footage of people walking and performing mundane activities, which renders the pacing tedious. Also, the camera loses or racks focus at least once a minute. Even if this is a stylistic decision, it's simply shoddy filmmaking. This could have been a moving 30 minute short, but there's simply not enough drama or emotion to compellingly convey the impact of bullying.… Full Review »
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