The Recruit Image
Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

  • Starring: Al Pacino, Bridget Moynahan, Colin Farrell
  • Summary: An explosive thriller starring Al Pacino and Colin Farrell that for the first time opens the CIA's infamous closed doors and gives an insider's view into the Agency: how trainees are recruited, how they are prepared for the spy game, and what they learn to survive. (Touchstone Pictures)
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 36
  2. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. From the get-go, The Recruit is one of those thrillers that delights in pulling the rug out from under you, only to find another rug below that.
  2. 75
    As a thriller, The Recruit is merely an entertaining ride. But remember: Nothing is what it seems. It's the subtext -- two actors from different generations faking each other out with skill and affection -- that counts.
  3. Reviewed by: Kevin Carr
    60
    There are glimpses of a real actor struggling to get out of Pacino, although they are rare. It’s as if Pacino is dying to act, but he’s either too old or director Roger Donaldson just isn’t allowing him to do it.
  4. 60
    Spare, sleek and coolly entertaining, even if there's less to this game of true lies than meets the eye.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 3 out of 8
  1. This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don't understand why you people don't like this film. I personally think that it is amazing, and also is you take a look at the other films that are released that year, it make it even better. Expand

See all 8 User Reviews