3 stars out of 4 -- "[Winslet's] fierce, unerring portrayal goes beyond acting, becoming a provocation that will keep you up nights."
Rolling Stone "The film is notable for its nice performances, its handsome photography, and its very active music."
Entertainment Weekly 4 stars out of 5 -- "[C]onsidered, articulate, intelligent....Winslet's precise performance is matched every way by Kross, an 18-year-old German actor who manages to convey love, lust and torment with barely a twitch of his fresh, open face."
Total Film 3.5 stars out of 4 -- "Powerfully acted by Winslet and Kross, with Ralph Fiennes coldly enigmatic as the elder Michael."
Chicago Sun-Times "Young Kross impresses with his acting ability. He's able to register multiple emotions and thoughts -- some that are complicated, especially during the trial scenes in the film's middle stretch..."
Box Office 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he performances are outstanding and the subject matter demands respect....Winslet especially brings a great deal to a challenging role..."
Empire "Bernhard Schlink's highly regarded novel THE READER receives a graceful, absorbing screen adaptation by director Stephen Daldry, who conveys a technically and morally complicated story with consummate skill and smoothness."
Washington Post
