59
Metascore
16 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Film ThreatLorry KiktaFilm ThreatLorry KiktaThere are visually stunning scenes throughout, but the acting and writing are the pièce de résistance of Sibyl and should be exactly why you put this film on your radar as one to watch from 2019. It’s certainly going on my end of year favorite list.
- 75Slant MagazineDiego SemereneSlant MagazineDiego SemereneJustine Triet is less committed to some make-believe realism than she is to the tricks that memory and language can play on us.
- 70The Hollywood ReporterJordan MintzerThe Hollywood ReporterJordan MintzerIt’s about as French as you can get, to a point that feels borderline absurd in places, and yet Triet handles the material gracefully and altogether skillfully, directing star Virginie Efira to one of her most impressive all-encompassing performances to date.
- 60CineVueJohn BleasdaleCineVueJohn BleasdaleEfira is a dominant and compelling presence and Sibyl is frequently funny. Ultimately, it never quite squares the circle of the comedy and the pain, but Triet is a sophisticated filmmaker and this – her third feature – is further proof of great talent.
- 58The Film StageEd FranklThe Film StageEd FranklThe final third, especially, is by-the-numbers plotting. It’s a pity, as the film starts off promising some interesting overarching themes, especially Sibyl’s underhand ethics of mining her psychological examinations for fiction. As a metaphor for artistic invention, it’s an interesting, but unsuccessful one.
- 50Screen DailyFionnuala HalliganScreen DailyFionnuala HalliganSibyl is far less than the sum of its parts, and never manages to shake off a heavy tone which consistently threatens to capsize even the rare funny interludes.
- 50The PlaylistBradley WarrenThe PlaylistBradley WarrenA flimsy, unremarkable story of obsession.
- 50San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleSan Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleSibyl is for people who like French movies even when they’re a little ridiculous.
- 40The GuardianPeter BradshawThe GuardianPeter BradshawFundamentally, Sybil is not funny because it is not convincing, and some of the acting is not of the highest order. Efira’s “drunk” turn is something she may wish to omit from her showreel.