It’s a heck of an adaptation, and Washington gives the performance his all.

Full Review | Sep 6, 2023

“Fences” is lively and vibrant yet aching and tragic. The cast’s rapport carries over beautifully from stage to screen, and their handling of August Wilson’s characters comes from an understanding far deeper that simple familiarity.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Aug 20, 2022

It's impossible to watch and not be moved.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 5, 2022

Washington grandstands, showing every facet of a man consumed by the shadow of his past, but unable to keep himself from repeating history... the strength of the performance delivers a more rounded character than you might expect.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 21, 2022

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis embody their characters exquisitely in the play-turned movie

Full Review | Aug 26, 2021

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis are nothing short of remarkable.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 17, 2021

A tough stage adaptation which soars upon Denzel Washington and Viola Davis' performances.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 23, 2021

Fences is about as good as it gets though, with two of the best acting performances of the year, and a lot of material to chew on long after the final scene.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Feb 7, 2021

As much of a pleasure as it is to watch Washington, Davis and Henderson interact, the film loses steam as it enters the final third.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 3, 2021

Fences not only puts their talents on display, it shows us what the art of acting can really do.

Full Review | Jan 4, 2021

Fences is exactly what it needs to be, an intimate and frequently jarringly uncomfortable drama.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Sep 7, 2020

That's the beauty about Fences. It encapsulates a plethora of challenging subjects in a tightly constructed film. Everyone has a balanced viewpoint in their decisions and the film (very much like the play itself) doesn't try to judge.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 17, 2020

The performances in Fences are so emotionally raw that we walk out feeling a sense of exhaustion.

Full Review | Original Score: A- | Jul 11, 2020

A combination of poignant material and two blistering performances.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Jul 2, 2020

I don't think it's that memorable, despite having good performances and some significant scenes. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Jun 27, 2020

While Fences is essentially a series of conversations, there's movement, drama, character development and tension at every turn.

Full Review | Apr 30, 2020

This Oscar-nominated film about a black working class family in the 50s is uneven in its delivery, but features powerful performances by Viola Davis and Denzel Washington.

Full Review | Apr 15, 2020

Davis went big...debuting film actor Jovan Adepo shines...

Full Review | Mar 31, 2020

For all the talent on display in writing and acting, FENCES never quite transcends its source: handicapped by its reluctance to stray too far from its reassuringly successful story and cast. FENCES finds itself sitting on one on of its own making.

Full Review | Feb 13, 2020

If you think Washington is impressive, behold Davis.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Sep 12, 2019