The Return
Metascore
38 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 16
  3. Negative: 6 out of 16
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  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    38
    Since Adam Sussman's script is as lazy as Asif Kapadia's direction is disjointed, nothing ever makes sense, even after the anticlimatic explanation is revealed.
  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    38
    As B-level suspensers go, though, The Return isn't actively awful -- just slow and cursed with a lead who acts with her t-shirt.
  3. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Jason Anderson
    38
    Sarah Michelle Gellar is not faring well as a horror-movie scream queen. Gone are the attitude, wit and verve she used to routinely display in the title role of TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
  4. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Luke Y. Thompson
    30
    The Return gets this year's award for most misleading poster, with its image of an empty-eyed, gray-skinned zombie/ghost that appears nowhere in the movie. You might, however, feel a little empty-eyed and zombie-like yourself after emerging from this languid story.
  5. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Staff (not credited)
    30
    A soporific ghost story.
  6. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Hartlaub
    25
    At the heart of The Return is a murder that even the most bumbling homicide investigator could have solved in about 12 seconds.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
4.7 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. Redlight
    3
    an absolute mess. striving to be this eerie, psychological thriller, the film instead winds up being a dull, vague disaster. one day, i hope Sarah Michelle Gellar will make a movie worthy of her talents. but with this and the grudge 2, just now it looks like she'll be the first one to sign up for the Buffy: 10 Years On tv series if it ever materialized.… Full Review »
  2. Riren
    4
    The first half is like a rejected draft of a Silent Hill movie, while the second is a disappointingly illogical explanation for the first. Even the soundtrack wants more action out of the characters than they are willing to provide, and the acting is far too dull for all the shadows and shaky camera tricks to hide. The lack of thrills and content isn't made up for by the languishing suspense and bursts of ill-fitting violence. The Return is only recommended to horror/thriller lovers who want another odd plot to unravel in their spare time.… Full Review »
  3. RogerSmith97
    10
    What A Great Psychological Thriller!!
    The Whole Cast Is Great, The Music Is Very Good, And The Plot Is Very Fun To Follow!
    Sarah Michelle Gell    ar Show's Us She CAN Act! :)… Full Review »
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