Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 34
  2. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. 100
  2. 63
  3. 50
    As formulaic in its own way as anything mainstream Hollywood turns out, In Bruges is also a fish-out-of-water comedy.
  4. 75
  5. 75
    Little more than a shaggy-dog tale about two hit men killing time in the picturesque, medieval Belgian city of the title, goosed with crackling dialogue and generous dollops of gore.
  6. Witty and lively, with a soul to it, as well.
  7. Neither star is sloppy, but both are loose and mellow -- a couple of pros who know they're the whole show.
  8. Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    Fiennes's energy gets the film over the finish line.
  10. Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    Sharply written, superbly acted, funny and even occasionally touching.
  11. In Bruges, at its best, works like "Pulp Fiction" with Irish (and Belgian) accents, digressing into weird discourse and giving a bunch of actors the occasion to shine in small, peculiar roles.
  12. 100
    The movie gradually deepens from odd-couple comedy into Catholic-themed drama, but it remains marvelously funny throughout. Instead of hitting the easy notes of black humor, McDonagh skillfully modulates between broad character laughs and the men's piercing anguish as the story nears its bloody conclusion.
  14. The film's light comedy and dark morality make for an unsettling mix.
  15. The banter between these unlikely partners seems inspired by Quentin Tarantino's ingeniously insipid dialogue, delivered with indelible deadpan sincerity by John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson in "Pulp Fiction." Neither the dialogue nor the characters are as interesting here.
  16. After playing one too many sullen poseurs it’s clear Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes had a ball making an inky black comedy seething with grandiose invective.
  18. 80
    Dark, hilarious and oddly moving.
  20. Mr. Gleeson, Mr. Farrell and especially the late-arriving and welcome Mr. Fiennes have great fun rummaging around inside Mr. McDonagh’s modest bag of tricks.
  21. For In Bruges to click, McDonagh needed either to get more real or more fake.
  23. 75
    Dry humor keeps In Bruges fresh and lively and makes it a whole lot of fun to watch.
  24. 40
  25. Reviewed by: Robert Koehler
  26. 91
  27. A dark comedy with a melancholy streak and punchy sense of humor.
  28. Reviewed by: Glenn Kenny
    This finale, which piles one bloody absurd epiphany on top of another almost ad infinitum, is where McDonagh lays all his cards on the table -- and his characters are the ones who have to pay up.
  29. Reviewed by: Damon Wise
    With In Bruges, the British gangster movie gets a Croydon facelift. It may not be new, but it’s a wonderfully fresh take on a familiar genre: fucked-up, far-out and very, very funny.
  31. Reviewed by: Jeremy Mathews
  32. Reviewed by: John Anderson
  33. Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
  34. Reviewed by: Ella Taylor
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 234 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 77
  2. Negative: 5 out of 77
  1. Oct 15, 2011
  2. WepmajoE
    Mar 24, 2009
  3. Ogest
    Jul 22, 2008
    It wasn't what I expected. And that's why I give it 9. I was freaking surprised after this movie. It was genius. Very good dialogues, beautiful scenery, dark humor, interesting plot. Definetely a must see, especially now when there are not that much good dvds to rent. Full Review »