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XXY
Metascore
67 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
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  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    100
    As finely crafted as a great work of literature.
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    The shots are beautifully composed, the editing paces the process of self-discovery, the dialogue is spare and heartfelt, the performances are deeply human -- especially by Efron.
  3. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Marc Mohan
    83
    The word "hermaphrodite" is never actually uttered, for instance, and the whole topic is revealed obliquely, mostly through the puzzled eyes of Alvaro. Most impressively, a tale that could have been handled with condescending simplicity becomes a testament to the flawed but noble humanity of both parents and children.
  4. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    75
    The acting is uniformly strong, the visual approach self-effacingly honest.
  5. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    75
    Ines Efron and Martin Piroyanski give strong performances as Alex and Alvaro, respectively. Debuting director Lucia Puenzo, who co-scripted, tackles a dicey subject with sensitivity and taste.
  6. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    75
    Efron's remarkable performance as a wild child who seems to truly exist somewhere betwixt and between is riveting.
  7. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Richard James Havis
    70
    The story of a young hermaphrodite who's not sure if she's emotionally a boy or a girl manages to be both raw-edged and moving.
  8. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    70
    If XXY is imagistically too programmatic (a scene of carrots being sliced is typical of its Freudian heavy-handedness) and devoid of humor, it never seems pruriently exploitative. It sustains an unsettling mood of ambiguity that lingers long after the final credits.
  9. Variety
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Holland
    70
    Picture has more in common with standard child-parent conflict dramas than it would probably care to admit, but its sensitive treatment of an equally sensitive theme elevates it into something memorable.
  10. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Michael O'Sullivan
    70
    XXY is, in the best possible sense of the word, an awkward film.
  11. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: J.R. Jones
    70
    Moody and thoughtful.
  12. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Wesley Morris
    63
    The grown-ups in Lucia Puenzo's XXY are a glum lot.
  13. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    50
    It's set at a beach house, but we see only gray skies, and though Efron has a wary and cutting intelligence (it matches that of the fine actor Ricardo Darin, who plays her father), the effect is tepid and damp.
  14. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Nick Pinkerton
    50
    It takes a controlling hand to chisel something more contoured than monotony out of this dense angst, and director Lucía Puenzo doesn't have it, though Inés Efron, as Alex, gives a committed centerpiece performance with a nice, slightly lupine grin.
  15. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Thomas
    30
    The genitally ambiguous as well as transsexuals and gay people deserve more than XXY's good intentions.
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Halfwelshman
    9
    XXY works on so many levels. It intelligently debates a highly contentious issue, it's an emotional teenage drama, and it's a story of finding acceptance, not just with the world, but with yourself. The film approaches a scarcely discussed subject - that of the intersex. It deals with this difficult topic in a relatively matter-of-fact way - it's as much a story about an adolescent coming of age and feeling comfortable in their own skin as it is about being born different to the majority of the world. Thankfully, the film is never patronising or overly sentimental, and leaves it open for viewers to make their own judgements about the complex and divisive issues being raised. Ines Efron is absolutely captivating in the lead role of Alex, and it is very easy to invest in her as a character and appreciate the gravity of the life-changing decisions she is about to make. Ricardo Darin is also exceptional as Alex's ever-proud and supporting father. There is also a very distinctive look to the film - cool hues and frequent visual cues linked to the sea and marine life give the film a sombre tone with a strong philosophical underpinning. The visuals, while distinctive, never detract from the focus of the film - character. We never lose sight of the inner (and outer) termoil of Alex and her family, and the journey all the film's characters go through is highly memorable. Irrespective of its subject matter, XXY is a fine example of thoroughly engaging and thoughtful filmmaking.… Full Review »
  2. Steve
    7
    Affecting and thoughtful drama with an outstanding lead performance.
  3. JahneW.
    7
    This is a pretty good movie. I liked the directors chioce of using cool colours because that added to the mood of the movie. It had a very sad and depressing mood to it. Also, I do not speak spanish and I still enjoyed watching this and it caught my attention. For me to be interested in a movie I can't understand the diolouge to is a plus.… Full Review »
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