72
Metascore
9 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100VarietySiddhant AdlakhaVarietySiddhant AdlakhaWith whip-smart filmmaking that weaves together the physical and digital worlds, Ibelin is powerful cinema that uses its stylistic experimentation for distinctly humanist means, breathing life into a person’s story when it seemed like there were few dimensions left to explore.
- 100Film ThreatBobby LePireFilm ThreatBobby LePireThe director walks the delicate tightrope of emotions so that every new development makes previous scenes all the more intense
- 95TheWrapLex BriscusoTheWrapLex BriscusoRee’s magnificent documentary takes its audience not only through the tragic elements of Mats’ life—the diagnosis of his illness, his decline, his untimely death—but the good parts, too, through effective testimony and powerful archival images, audio and video.
- 90New York Magazine (Vulture)Bilge EbiriNew York Magazine (Vulture)Bilge EbiriIbelin is an overwhelming film, ugly tears all the way down. It starts off with the most unspeakable of tragedies and then, as it winds its way back through Mats’s life, becomes a bittersweet story of empowerment, acceptance, even joy.
- 80ColliderTaylor GatesColliderTaylor GatesIbelin is an effective and creative documentary about the power of online friendships.
- 63Slant MagazineJustin ClarkSlant MagazineJustin ClarkThere’s considerable emotional truth on display throughout Benjamin Ree’s documentary.
- 58The Film StageEdward FrumkinThe Film StageEdward FrumkinIbelin thoroughly traces Mats’ existence with talking-head interviews, family home footage, original animations of Warcraft characters, a narrator reading his posts, his handwritten video game dialogue, and a mix of animation movements and character descriptions. These techniques allow Ree to symphonically center the subject without relegating family and peers to representatives
- 50The Hollywood ReporterDaniel FienbergThe Hollywood ReporterDaniel FienbergThe film is very invested in proving the validity of the social relationships created in virtual space. To me, that’s the easy part. Video games can absolutely be nourishing and substantive and healthy. And I’m not even sure Ibelin confirms that in a smart way.