The mystery unspools slowly, with so many different twists and turns it's impossible to figure it out ahead of time. That's fine. By the time you get there, however, you probably won't care anymore.
– Adam Graham,
Detroit News,
7 Aug 2015
rotten:
While there is still some flicking at the book's more human themes of best-intentioned familial deceit, forgiveness and healing, they're all but blotted out by Gilles Paquet-Brenner's slapdash direction.
– Stacey May Fowles,
Globe and Mail,
7 Aug 2015
rotten:
Director Gilles Paquet-Brenner marshaled a top-tier cast and commanded them to tromp across Flynn's intelligent bestseller like investigators muddying a crime scene.
– Amy Nicholson,
L.A. Weekly,
7 Aug 2015
rotten:
The mystery itself eventually becomes tiresome and shrug-worthy, even as the film breathlessly racks up the revelations.
– Bilge Ebiri,
New York Magazine/Vulture,
9 Aug 2015
fresh:
The third offering from Flynn Dark Places does its best to stir a multitude of emotions within us, but in doing so, the film feels contrived and hurried.