“Gods and Monsters” is easily one of the best films of the year. It is a real treat for any movie lover and will easily span the test of time like the films of the man it portrayed.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Jan 7, 2023

The film is a revelation for writer-director Bill Condon, whose last movie, the horror schlock Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh, showed no indication of the intelligence and tenderness at work here.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 4, 2023

it still feels remarkably current today.

Full Review | Oct 3, 2022

Gods and Monsters is a triumph on all levels, a movie for people who love movies and for people who love people who love movies.

Full Review | Apr 5, 2022

Part biography, part fantasy, part meditation on the true nature of inner monsters, life, death, and art, this is a sensitive and compelling study of an iconic industry figure.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 21, 2021

Few films have made it seem so natural to be haunted.

Full Review | Oct 12, 2020

A largely unrecognized but simply outstanding performance is turned in by Brendan Fraser as Clayton Boone.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Sep 9, 2020

Gods and Monsters is one of the best films of the year, which means, of course, that it won't get widely distributed... Do what you need to do to see this film. It's that good.

Full Review | Feb 26, 2020

In short, it's a moment, and a film, about compassion.

Full Review | Oct 3, 2017

While Condon may not quite have captured an accurate Whale, he and his cast have brought a memorable creation to life.

Full Review | Jun 18, 2012

Full Review | Original Score: A | Sep 7, 2011

It may not be history, but what a glorious imagining it is.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Oct 13, 2010

Catches a life and its relation to art. One imagines that James Whale would not have turned over in his grave in horror.

Full Review | Aug 25, 2010

The film clearly belongs to McKellen, whose presence is what makes the film as affecting at it is.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Nov 16, 2009

An engrossing, unusual, imaginatively executed bit of psychological gamesmanship ...

Full Review | Dec 1, 2008

A parable worthy of Mary Shelley herself.

Full Review | Original Score: A | Feb 14, 2008

Condon's indie is narrwoly focused in depicting James Whale's personal and professional frustrations as an old man, but Ian McKellen, who must have felt strong affinity with the openly gay director, gives an astonishingly sophisticated performance.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Mar 6, 2007

Not a complicated film, but warm and clever.

Full Review | Jun 24, 2006

This movie is obviously a dream come true for Condon, and he delivers it with precision, care, love, and intelligence.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | May 26, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: A- | Apr 9, 2005