64
Metascore
9 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 85PolygonPetrana RadulovicPolygonPetrana RadulovicTurtles has familiar John Green touchpoints — a gimmicky story setup, a teen romance, a quirky best friend — but it turns the story inward and pulls off a fantastic character exploration, one that feels like a gut-punch in its best moments.
- 75RogerEbert.comPeyton RobinsonRogerEbert.comPeyton RobinsonMarks’ “Turtles All the Way Down” shines with John Green’s trademark whimsy. It’s a charming, delightful YA romance that doesn’t bind itself to the sole enjoyment of its target market.
- 70The Hollywood ReporterLovia GyarkyeThe Hollywood ReporterLovia GyarkyeMerced’s fine performance anchors the uneasy mood in a deeply empathetic character.
- 70ColliderColliderRegardless of its slight fallbacks, Turtles All the Way Down tells a moving story about a teenager's isolating struggle with mental illness, and her resolve to build a life for herself despite it.
- 67IndieWireKate ErblandIndieWireKate ErblandScene by scene, Marks’ film plays like a traditional high school-set rom-com, but things take a turn as Aza’s illness becomes more obvious.
- 60The GuardianAdrian HortonThe GuardianAdrian HortonThe successes are in large part owed to Merced’s sensitive, grounded performance, her open face able to pass amusement, anxiety, self-loathing vitriol, panic attack and relief like quicksand. Her performance alone can absorb the film’s rougher edges, vaguer lines and dramatic whiffs, especially when assisted by a strikingly natural Cree.
- 60Screen RantRachel LaBonteScreen RantRachel LaBonteUnderneath its weaker spots, Turtles All the Way Down is bolstered by genuine heart and an excellent central performance from Isabela Merced (Madame Web, Instant Family).
- 60The New York TimesNatalia WinkelmanThe New York TimesNatalia WinkelmanWhat “Turtles” does offer in surplus is texture, thanks to Marks’s springy, stylish direction.
- 50Paste MagazineAutumn WrightPaste MagazineAutumn WrightExecution isn’t the problem here—the acting, direction, editing, set design and costuming are all done well enough. It’s that these elements add up to something that doesn’t feel subversive at all, just vaguely aware of itself.