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Concussion

Concussion Image
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 37 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 57 Ratings

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  • Starring: , , , ,
  • Summary: American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic neuropathologist, discovers CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fights for the truth to be known. Omalu’s emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.

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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 37
  3. Negative: 2 out of 37
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Leah Greenblatt
    Dec 17, 2015
    83
    Director Peter Landesman, who also helmed last year’s political thriller "Kill the Messenger", doesn’t color much outside the lines of conventional drama. But his straightforward telling actually serves the strong cast and taut script — and a story that would be deemed too outrageous to believe if it wasn’t true.
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Richard Roeper
    Dec 14, 2015
    75
    Concussion is a good movie that could have been great without trying so hard to be great.
  3. Tampa Bay Times
    Reviewed by: Steve Persall
    Dec 24, 2015
    75
    Concussion is essentially Erin Brockovich with shoulder pads, a crowd pleaser built upon an issue long ignored.
  4. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    Dec 22, 2015
    63
    The film goes slack when its screws most need to tighten. Luckily, Smith — flawless in accent and commitment to Omalu's worthy cause — grips you from first to last.
  5. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    Dec 24, 2015
    58
    If Concussion really stuck its neck out, it would have been the better for it. The film comes on as hard-hitting, but it’s weighted down with protective gear.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    Dec 24, 2015
    50
    The key problem is that writer-director Peter Landesman has pushed too hard to make this story fit into a dramatic mold, alternating melodrama and romance with those earnest warnings in a way that is more ungainly than effective.
  7. Consequence of Sound
    Reviewed by: Justin Gerber
    Dec 21, 2015
    33
    Concussion tries to “tell the truth!” but its filmmaker feels compelled to surround the truth with tales of a man whose life is just not that interesting.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 22
  3. Negative: 3 out of 22
  1. karenrkane
    Jan 7, 2016
    10
    Very engrossing movie. Shows how business, the NFL in this case, can manipulate to protect their own interests to the detriment of others.Very engrossing movie. Shows how business, the NFL in this case, can manipulate to protect their own interests to the detriment of others. Will Smith did an amazing job.… Expand
  2. Rlovesmemore
    Jan 14, 2016
    9
    Will Smith was excellent in this great movie. The story is shocking and relevant. It is admirable that the actors and all involved in thisWill Smith was excellent in this great movie. The story is shocking and relevant. It is admirable that the actors and all involved in this film, took this challenge... Especially in light of how dr omalu's life was so damaged by the NFL.… Expand
  4. Flotcha
    Jan 10, 2016
    9
    Giving it a 9 to raise the user score, and because of its important messages about our culture.

    This is a very good film. It would have    Giving it a 9 to raise the user score, and because of its important messages about our culture.

    This is a very good film. It would have been better had it not tried to be a love story in addition to a hard-hitting expose of the NFL's disregard for players' health and safety in pursuit of profits.

    "Concussion" is NOT unfair to the NFL. It could have, and probably should have been much harsher. It's one of the more thought-provoking films of the year. Too bad so few football fans are willing to see it.    … Expand
  5. ydnar4
    Dec 26, 2015
    7
    Concussion offers an interesting premise that the world has been waiting to be taken to light for years. The film is a great story of theConcussion offers an interesting premise that the world has been waiting to be taken to light for years. The film is a great story of the relatively unknown man who discovered the consequences of concussions in football. Will Smith is outstanding in this movie. I think this is one of the best performances that he has had to date. Dr. Bennet Omalu is simply good for the sake of good and he is easy to root for. Then you have a great supporting cast in Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks and David Morse as Mike Webster. The downside to this very interesting story is the third act which derails the train a little bit and takes away from the story that we were really interested in. Concussion could also be considered a little biased or overdramatised but overall its a good watch, even if you are not a football fan.… Expand
  6. NickLikesMovies
    Dec 31, 2015
    7
    Concussion is completely riveting but uneven in quality. Will Smith gives a fantastic performance and the story is fascinating and one thatConcussion is completely riveting but uneven in quality. Will Smith gives a fantastic performance and the story is fascinating and one that needs to be told.… Expand
  7. netflic
    Dec 28, 2015
    7
    A story about a talented doctor, neuropathologist, an immigrant from Africa, who finds that American football causes brain trauma withA story about a talented doctor, neuropathologist, an immigrant from Africa, who finds that American football causes brain trauma with long-lasting effects. He tries to convey that message to public.
    That puts him and people who support him at odds with NFL.
    Based on the real story of Dr. Omalu (played by Will Smith), who found that his vision of America, his expectations of it did not match with reality. Will Smith is very good in this role, so as the supporting staff.
    The movie provokes some thoughts about how far will you go to do what you think is right, which risks are you willing to take. Overall the movie is well done.    … Expand
  8. ProfessorWisdom
    Dec 31, 2015
    0
    This was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. In fact, Cinemark refunded my money for the three tickets I purchased, as me and my sonsThis was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. In fact, Cinemark refunded my money for the three tickets I purchased, as me and my sons all agreed it was a horrible film and we left after about 45 minutes. What a sad effort to address and inform people on such an important topic. It makes Gigli look like an Oscar winning movie.… Expand

See all 22 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

#58 Most Shared Movie of 2015

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