88
Metascore
43 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100EmpireNick de SemlyenEmpireNick de SemlyenIannucci’s brand of political satire is applied to one of the darkest chapters in modern history, with sensational results. The Lives Of Others with laughs, it’s farcical, frightening and a timely reminder that things could always be worse.
- 100The GuardianPeter BradshawThe GuardianPeter BradshawThe Death Of Stalin is superbly cast, and acted with icy and ruthless force by an A-list lineup. There are no weak links. Each has a plum role; each squeezes every gorgeous horrible drop.
- 100The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Kate TaylorThe Globe and Mail (Toronto)Kate TaylorThere is one thing that power can’t stand, and that is to be mocked: The social importance of this topical romp should not be underestimated.
- 90The Death of Stalin is Iannucci’s most complex and almost nihilistic rendering of what politics is: A team of bumbling and weak-minded people who lack any real conviction other than a desire for power and position.
- 83The A.V. ClubA.A. DowdThe A.V. ClubA.A. DowdThe Death Of Stalin isn’t quite as pointed or rat-a-tat funny as In The Loop (or Veep at its best), but its application of [Iannucci's] signature barbed comic voice to such grim history (executions are a constant source of gallows humor) packs its own punch.
- 83The PlaylistKevin JagernauthThe PlaylistKevin JagernauthThe Death Of Stalin is a grim reminder that we are never too far away from history turning back on progress. It’s not an easy lesson to reconcile, but Iannucci at least has us laughing for a good while before delivering his devastating blow.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeThe Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeThough not as stuffed with rapid-fire laughs as In the Loop...this makes a very fine sophomore outing.
- 80Screen DailyTim GriersonScreen DailyTim GriersonThe novelty of his volcanically vulgar, deeply cynical tone may have worn off some, but Iannucci has nonetheless crafted another poisonous cocktail of naked ambition and blustery bravado with a decidedly bitter aftertaste.
- 70VarietyPeter DebrugeVarietyPeter DebrugeThough sporadically brilliant, this too-often uneven send-up of Russian politics attempts to maintain the rapid-fire, semi-improvisational style of Iannucci’s earlier work...while situating such madness within an elaborately costumed and production-designed period milieu.