53
Metascore
7 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 88Chicago TribuneJohanna SteinmetzChicago TribuneJohanna SteinmetzA scintillating thriller in which writer/director Gary Sherman takes some familiar sitcom elements and force-marches them in an unexpected and terrifying direction. [11 May 1990, p.D]
- Lisa is no mindless run-of-the-mill ripoff. Closer to a true homage, it has a style and wit all its own in the hands of Sherman, who, after a decade of turning out such minor genre gems, continues his career as one of Hollywood's most underrated directors.
- 75Portland OregonianTed MaharPortland OregonianTed MaharIt hasn't the flash and style of Fatal Attraction or Jagged Edge, but its contrived finale is better than those contrived finales. [21 Apr 1990, p.C08]
- 60The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick GroenThe Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick GroenRight up until the final climactic scene, Lisa is a taut little suspense yarn. Right up until the final climactic scene, Lisa is an engaging blend of character deftly revealed and plot-twists nicely unravelled. Right up until the final climactic scene, Lisa succeeds. And then . . . [14 May 1990]
- 50Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam ArnoldSeattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam ArnoldKeanan, a competent young actress, has several strong and quite believable scenes of conflict with Ladd that make the movie work as a compelling relationship drama in its exposition half. But these scenes are soon forgotten as the script moves into non-stop suspense and terror. [20 Apr 1990]
- 40Los Angeles TimesMichael WilmingtonLos Angeles TimesMichael WilmingtonLisa isn’t ineffective. It’s shaped in the usual sadistic way that leaves some audiences howling with blood-lust by the climax. But it’s basically a nasty movie that tries to end up nicey-nice: a house-cat of a sex-thriller that wants to claw the hell out of you and then curl up to warm milk and velvety hugs.
- 38Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertIt's a bludgeon movie with little respect for the audience's intelligence, and simply pounds us over the head with violence whenever there threatens to be a lull. Anyone can make a movie like this.