70
Metascore
18 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 90Washington PostDesson ThomsonWashington PostDesson ThomsonThe Krays is a foreboding, riveting metaphor about human monsters and the monstrosities of criminal life. It's one of the most original films of the year.
- 88Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertThe genius of The Krays, Peter Medak's new film about the most notorious villains of modern British crime, is that the movie is not simply a catalog of stabbings, garrotings and bloodletting. It goes deeper than into the twisted pathology of twins whose faces would light up with joy when their mom told them they looked just like proper gentlemen.
- 80The New York TimesJanet MaslinThe New York TimesJanet MaslinGary Kemp, as the more commanding and peculiar Ron Kray, makes an especially scary impression, particularly once the Krays' perfect control has begun to unravel. In a series of events set off by Reg's marriage, the Krays are seen on a downhill spiral that Mr. Medak conveys with great and effective understatement.
- 75Entertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanEntertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanWe never get any sense of how the brothers build their empire, or of how the various supporting characters fit into their lives. Telling this story in a more straightforward fashion would have been far more satisfying. Still, the Kemps are something to see.
- 75TV Guide MagazineTV Guide MagazineThe Kemps make THE KRAYS worth watching. And they're supported by a first-rate cast of female monsters and victims, and some compelling seedy bits by strong character actors.
- 75Boston GlobeJay CarrBoston GlobeJay CarrThe Krays is one of the artiest, eeriest gangster movies ever made. [15 Sep 1990, p.14p]
- 70Time OutTime OutMost surprising is the impressive showing of Gary and Martin Kemp (of Spandau Ballet) as the twins, despite fears that the 'youth cult' dimension might be too strong a factor in the concept.
- 60Los Angeles TimesPeter RainerLos Angeles TimesPeter RainerIf Medak had been able to delineate the twinship of crime and show biz, he might have moved the film's frights into a higher realm. Instead, he's come up with a classy freak show.
- 60Washington PostHal HinsonWashington PostHal HinsonAs the movie progresses, it becomes less interesting. There are some striking performances from the supporting cast, particularly Steven Berkoff's rabid portrayal of a rival gang lord. The rest of the film, in fact, could have benefited from a little of his mad-dog ferocity. As heroes, the Krays are more shadow than substance; they're stuck in metaphor.