The Holy Girl
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
view
per page
  1. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    100
    Superbly cast, evocatively directed.
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    88
    Takes a potentially explosive subject and does it subtly and perceptively.
  3. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Wesley Morris
    88
    A collection of beautifully acted encounters, conversations, symbols, and vignettes woven into an evocative and unforgettably surreal garment.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    91
    The blessings of salvation have rarely felt so mixed, the parameters of Lolita-hood so elusive - which is exactly Martel's specialty.
  5. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    83
    Gets its hooks into you in ways that are hard to explain or to ignore.
  6. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Gianni Truzzi
    83
    The film's wealth in themes provokes unsettling thought, even as it feels meager in thesis.
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
    90
    The Holy Girl may occasionally frustrate your desire for clarity and order, but in the end it will reward your patience, and you leave the theater in a state of quiet awe.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. MarcK.
    2
    I rented this movie because of the high MetaCritic score. Instead, I saw one of the worst films of 2005. The first hour of the picture wasn't even necessary...hardly anything happened. And here I was hanging in there for the ending, only to see credits rolling! Other appropriate adjectives to describe this movie: excruciating, pointless and pretentious.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »