HOME
MOVIES
TV Shows
In Theatres
SEARCH
FRESH
QUEUE
Papillon
A (INDIA)
2018
MOVIE IS
compelling
enduring
tedious
original
solitary
Close Video
watch now
Reviews
similar movies
cast & crew
tags
62 %
54 %
Rotten
$ 53 Million
See Where to Watch
Papillon
Positive Reviews
58
Negative reviews
39
Average Rating
2.8
/5
compelling
enduring
tedious
original
solitary
All
Positive
Negative
2.0
Mores the pity, then, that I cant in good conscious actually recommend Papillon.
Channel24 (South Africa)
3.0
Anyone whos sat through the 1973 Steve McQueen Dustin Hoffman prison escape epic can confirm that its one of the snoozier and least memorable entries ..
EW
2.5
When Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman made Papillon in 1973, they were near the peak of their popularity, and the result was a massive hit, making $53 ..
Rogerebert
3.0
That makes the new film feel less like an underdog story than a superhero tale, which reduces the tension.
Common Sense Media
3.5
Still, their combined wattage made for a more poignant portrait of impossibly enduring male friendship than the talented young actors manage here.
Variety
3.0
Amazingly, the remakeby Danish director Michael Noeris nearly as long and equally as depressing.But hes made a slightly more exciting movie.
Time Out
3.0
The path of least resistance would lead somewhere agreeable if not extraordinary, perhaps not matching the given sources greatness but at least managi ..
The Guardian
2.0
Papis protracted, chaotically paced setbacks begin to feel less like a test of his resilience than the viewers.
The Guardian
2.0
There is no discernible benefit or loss at the end of this long drama.
The Guardian
2.5
Its a reasonably diverting genre exercise, but Schaffners original humbles it by every criterion of excellence.
1.9
But despite the compelling raw material from which this yarn is spun, Papillon paints a surprisingly unconvincing portrait of one mans spirit under du ..
3.0
This Papillon touches on those themes intellectually, but rarely are they felt on a visceral level.
Screen Daily
1.5
Oddly enough, the script is so bland that director Michael Noer ends up downplaying important segments.
ETimes (TOI)
2.0
Theres no real voice in the storytelling, nothing distinctive about the imagery, if its not a doubling up on the violence and gore, and the result doe ..
The Hollywood Reporter
3.0
If youre a fan of the two leads, it is worth your time, but if youre a fan of the original film, it becomes more of a curio, an interesting comparison ..
2.0
If you watch, as I recently did, the 1973 film Papillon back to back with the remake, you get a double dose of prisoner abuse and appealing actors pan ..
The New York Times
3.4
Its true that no ones really making films like this anymore, but its also true that everyone pretty much wants to.
Paste Magazine
2.0
arent bad they turn in human scaled, naturalistic performances, which would be fine in another kind of movie. But its not enough to carry a movie for ..
E Film Critic
3.0
Still, Danish director Michael Noer retells the story with a grim conviction that gradually earns your respect.
Telegraph
3.0
That degree of marquee value is worth bearing in mind with this weeks arrival of a brand new Papillon that manages to be both meaner and leaner (by ab ..
2.5
Which is a shame because there is clearly potential in Charrieres story and most of it is done right.
The Young Folks
4.0
McQueen will always be the best, but this new PAPILLON is still worth checking out if you love the original, and audiences that have nothing to compar ..
JoBlo
3.0
Papillon is an effectively stark prison escape (and survival) adventure with solid performances, but only digs so deep into its themes and characters.
Screen Rant
3.8
But the mechanics of the friendship remain opaque and Degas heroism improbable; Noers ending is saddled with the same sentimentality as that of the or ..
The Globe And Mail
3.0
The result is a tedious watch that is occasionally engaging but never fully immerses you into the nuances of a persistent mind, making this a lukewarm ..
2.0
But if we must have one, Michael Noers dutiful, slightly stolid retelling is probably as good as one has any right to expect.
One Guys Opinion
4.5
And you can sense, in the 1973 efforts languor and cerebral stoicism, a self importance that pushes against the milieu of desperation.Its still a fine ..
Village Voice
3.8
Papillon would rather offer its own interpretation of Charrieres story, and in its depiction of a deep and transformative bond formed out of strife, t ..
Mark Reviews Movies
2.0
It is the non Hollywood, less glossy version of Charrires story and it packs its own kind of punch.
2.0
Going in, I had my doubts about this remake of a favorite classic. But the filmmakers, cast and crew do a solid job in telling a well crafted true lif ..
2.5
The ensuing lack of momentum ensures that Dragnet wears out its welcome long before arriving at its anti climactic finish, and it subsequently goes wi ..
Reel Film Reviews
2.0
Michael Noers movie is constantly eventful, providing a watchable series of ripping yarn episodes, and Rami Malek is a worthy successor to Dustin Hoff ..
The Times
2.0
The deadening narrative structure (escape, capture, escape, capture etc) eventually overwhelms everything else on screen.
The Times
3.5
Despite that, some pacing issues, and the fact that its a remake when people making movies should be handling original rather than recycled properties ..
Screen It
3.0
Aaron Guzikowskis screenplay doesnt explain why Henri was so desperate to write about his experiences.
Independent
3.0
Though Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek give everything theyve got to this true life prison escape, theyre denied the chance to make their characters as ..
Rolling Stone
3.0
Even without a visceral punch of present day resonance, this is still a skilful depiction of a staggeringly cruel system.
Shadows On The Wall
1.5
So why has it inspired not just one but two so so prison escape films
The Wrap
1.9
Charrieres story captured the hearts and minds of France.Hunnam just barely captures our attention.
New York Post
3.0
It is years of maddening solitary confinement.It is two plus hours of relentless misery with no triumphant swell, agony bending two men as far as they ..
Az Central
3.8
Its solid and effective filmmaking, if melodramatic and occasionally silly.
Star Tribune
3.1
Hunnam is a fine actor and tackles the role more than adequately.But director Michael Noer falls short in a number of ways, leaving a sense of missed ..
Toronto Star
3.0
Arguments remain as to whether this survival story needed a retelling, but there is a case to be made for Noers take being less bloated and more true ..
Flim List
2.0
Did you enjoy it, or did it feel like an unnecessary film to remake
Film Inquiry
2.0
In Paris in the early 1930s, Henri Charrier (Charlie Hunan) is a reckless safecracker whos framed for murder and shipped off to a the notorious penal ..
Susang Ranger
3.0
And its moments like this that sell Papillon beyond functioning solely as a macho vehicle for some gritty and brutal violence.
Flickering Myth
4.5
This gritty real life account will definitely keep you rooting for Papillon throughout, making it even more satisfying to see how he fares when the fi ..
Book My Show
2.0
It is an immortal tale we are attracted to and endlessly fascinated with, and Noer and his cast succeed in making its universal themes ring true.
Boston Herald
2.0
Nothing they do is ever done lightly.As such nothing Papillon does is without intent either.
The Film Stage
3.1
So what is it about this particular story that resists fully satisfying cinematic treatment
Chicago Tribune
3.0
Bleecker Street In order to truly appreciate the artistry that goes into a successful adaptation, sometimes it helps to see a more artless one.You don ..
Uproxx
4.0
Malek especially delivers a strange, croaking performance that might be too self consciously chameleonic for some, but coupled with Hunnams weary brav ..
Birth Movies Death
3.5
The engaging performances in the film manage to carry it along nicely, ensuring it is a worthwhile watch.
Deccan Chronicle
1.5
This adaptation of Papillon is fine. The performances are fine, the direction is fine. But was a remake really necessary if there isnt anything specta ..
Pajiba
4.5
Still, their combined wattage made for a more poignant portrait of impossibly enduring male friendship than the talented young actors manage here.
Variety
2.0
The sweat soaked, grimy, widescreen spectacle Schaffer employed is rendered with almost television like slickness here.
The Play List
1.5
On its own, this new Papillon is a perfectly decent movie that tells a fascinating, suspenseful story with clarity and emotion.
The Stranger
4.5
While still heavily mirroring the other films story beats, Danish director Michael Noer establishes his own rhythm. Its one of constant action and nea ..
Vanity Fair
3.0
Theres mud and cruelty, corruption and the regimes dehumanising effort to extinguish hope.
The Arts Desk
5.0
Yes, it reimagines the story of the French convict, memoirist and inveterate flight risk Henri Charriere in brutal, gritty, naturalistic fashion.
Wsj
3.0
Its the most thrilling sequence of the film and gives you an edge of the seat excitement.
FilmFare
3.0
Unlike Franklin Schaffners behind the camera work in the 1973 original, Noer doesnt go for weightiness and spectacle.Hes more attuned to the story and ..
Patriot Ledger
3.8
It is an impressively staged and appropriately rain soaked, mud splattered, bone crunching tale, more violent and filled with rougher language than it ..
Chicago Sun Times
3.0
Michael Noers remake takes a more character driven approach, a tactic that works well in favor of its stars Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek.
Punch Drunk Critics
3.0
Charlie Hunnam, who wastes away to a near skeleton before our eyes, continues to prove his mettle as an actor. Rami Maleks performance isnt nearly as ..
Movie Web
4.5
Papillon is spectacular with perfect casting and phenomenal performances.
We Live Entertainment
2.0
Hagen Bogdanski is responsible for the crisp photography, but if you had seen the original Papillon, not as brutal as this version but with more dynam ..
Shockya
2.5
We have been experiencing some problems with subscriber log ins and apologise for the inconvenience caused.Until we resolve the issues, subscribers ne ..
Straits Times
1.5
The honest reality is any time after the first half hour is a good time.If you miss the characters being set up, your essentially screwed for the 136 ..
Solzy At The Movies
3.1
Noers handsomely produced Papillon comes loaded with much more graphic violence (fights, stabbings and one guillotine execution) and brutal language t ..
Daily Herald
2.0
Pretend youre watching McQueen and Hoffman.It wont be too difficult, really.
East Bay Express
3.5
A few powerful exceptions are scattered judiciously through the film, and shock us all the more for it.
National Post
3.0
But there really is no way any competent director could tell this story without its compelling events shining through.
Original Cin
1.5
If youre a fan of watching gifted artists capture suffering on film, youve come to the right place.
Third Coast Review
3.5
Without answering the question as to whether this film is better or worse than the one that came before it, Papillon 2018 is exciting, informative, an ..
Daily Film Fix
1.5
Whether youre looking to this as a prison break film, a psychological study, or a platonic romance, Papillon turns into a well meaning slog.
Fw Weekly
3.5
Thats not to say that the film is without some thrilling action (and a mime hallucination).But when the punishment for attempting to escape is two yea ..
Ap News
3.8
While the movie may seem packaged like a prestige drama, it works best when it just admits that its a gross out adventure yarn.
Am Ny
2.0
Papillon has the makings of a riveting saga, but the struggle is in finding the deeper heart of the tale.
Entertainment Voice
2.5
Gets much right and features nice performances from the leads but feels like an unnecessary revamping of the story.
Richard Crouse
2.0
But he doesnt dwell on them, either, and the bleakly compelling story of endurance and strength is really the story of a noble friendship marked by un ..
Crooked Marquee
4.4
That the film succeeds is due in large part to Noers ability to cover a great deal of narrative ground in a brisk, engaging manner and the performance ..
Illinois Times
3.5
Its a sprawling story thats slow moving and dragged out a bit too long, yet director Michael Noer manages to build upon the suspense.
Screen Zealots
5.0
Paraphrasing the great director John Huston, it is folly to remake great films; only good stories badly made should be tackled.
Kdhx
1.5
Not sure why it was necessary to remake this film. Its a fascinating story of survival, but you may be glad when its over, rather than happy that youv ..
Movies and Shakers
2.5
Even though there is always something going on, the film feels far too long at its over two hour runtime.
At Home In Hollywood
2.0
The 2018 action drama is a slick adaptation meant for an audience unfamiliar with the original movie.
Showbiz Junkies
2.0
Its bland when it should be brutal; its hollow when it should human.
Film Monthly
2.0
Why even remake Papillon to begin with This new version doesnt answer that question.
Worldo Free L
2.0
But the Papillon story has fundamentally always been a character study strained through an epic adventure.
Brightest Young Things
3.0
The drama, however, feels a lot lighter.Not in terms of tone, but in substance.
Ex Press
3.8
But as a straightforward, gritty adventure movie, it earns its place.
Madison
2.0
The films tagline tells us that this is the greatest escape adventure ever told.
Reel Reviews
4.5
An underrated actor blessed with movie star looks, Hunnam cant quite carry a film on his shoulders alone yet, but hes capable of holding your attentio ..
KSDK
1.5
Instead, the remake simply reaffirms that Hollywood can and almost certainly will continue to go the unoriginal route of rehashing old movies but that ..
News Ok
1.0
The focus is always on the heroic Hunnam character, reducing some scenes from dramatic to a shallow high school confrontation.
We Are Movie Geeks
2.0
In Brief: Hollywood again proves it is out of ideas and remakes Papillon.
Kxl
3.0
Thanks to Maleks work, we are convinced of the value of friendship, even in the most inhuman conditions.
La Nación (Costa Rica)
2.5
His performance is the single best thing about this film, and it goes a long way toward making the endless scenes of dreariness, punctuated by violenc ..
The Arts St L
3.0
Michael Noers remake doesnt quite have the same impact but is entertaining nonetheless.
Backseat Mafia
4.0
Unlike in the 70s, adventure films that arent part of a franchise and are aimed at adults are as rare as black and white projection and equally likely ..
Houston Chronicle
2.0
The result is an old fashioned yarn thats easy to digest but quickly fades from memory.
Miamiartzine
3.1
But that lasted about 10 minutes The new Batman movies are special effects driven The relationships arent there.Somehow, they dont have the warmth, th ..
Cinema Dope
3.5
Hunnam shines and Malek really goes for it; hes a compelling watch even as his bold choices dont always work.
In The Seats
2.7
Summing uo, director Noer tries to strike a balance between violence and spirtuality and while you do feel the pathos, it doesnt quite give you the in ..
Bolly Movie Reviewz
See Where to Watch
Papillon