Carousel Reviews - Metacritic (original) (raw)

Carousel

SummaryNoah's settled life caring for his anxious daughter and medical practice is disrupted when his high school ex Rebecca returns. Their old spark remains, making them question if love deserves another chance.

Directed By:Rachel Lambert

Written By:Rachel Lambert

Metascore

Generally Favorable

Based on 13 Critic Reviews

65

User score

User reviews are not available yet

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Top Cast

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Chris PineChris PineNoahJenny SlateJenny SlateRebeccaAbby Ryder FortsonAbby Ryder FortsonMayaSam WaterstonSam WaterstonSamHeléne YorkeHeléne YorkeAbbyKatey SagalKatey SagalDonnaDagmara DominczykDagmara DominczykSarahJessica HarperJessica HarperJoanJeffrey DeMunnJeffrey DeMunnMichaelTien TranSophiaBrittany AndersonSandraDalton RimbertSeanDalton J. RimbertSeanTim DorseyBen's DadLeroy FolsomBenDana WachtelSenator EinholtTerry PattersonSenator BircholderRyan CiriacoBen RichardsonCharone FrankelWomanKulani KaiJennifer

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable

Based on 13 Critic Reviews

65

69% Positive
9 Reviews

23% Mixed
3 Reviews

8% Negative
1 Review

Feb 2, 2026

83 The Film Stage

This is a quiet, sad, lovely little film with wonderful, small character moments.

By Dan Mecca FULL REVIEW open-full-review

Jan 28, 2026

80 Screen Rant

Carousel is a moving romance in all the ways it isn't romantic.

By Gregory Nussen FULL REVIEW open-full-review

Jan 24, 2026

80 TheWrap

With Carousel, Lambert’s new romantic drama starring the excellent duo of Chris Pine and Jenny Slate, she strikes gold yet again.

By Chase Hutchinson FULL REVIEW open-full-review

Jan 24, 2026

70 The Hollywood Reporter

Whether playing sexy comedy or hostility, raw emotional agita or hollowness, Chris Pine and Jenny Slate are so damn fine in Carousel that you keep wondering why we seldom get to see these gifted actors bite into characters of such substance and complexity.

By David Rooney FULL REVIEW open-full-review

Jan 24, 2026

67 The Playlist

Carousel is another entry in a run of magnificent Jenny Slate performances.

By Gregory Ellwood FULL REVIEW open-full-review

Jan 30, 2026

50 Looper

What remains in question is how much this story constructed through hints, however well they can be understood, actually evokes feeling. To me, Carousel felt like it was missing something that could have made its quiet slice-of-life scenes a real emotional experience.

By Reuben Baron FULL REVIEW open-full-review

Jan 26, 2026

25 New York Post

Carousel is one of those tundra, dimly lit living-room movies that snobs defend as closer to “real life.”

By Johnny Oleksinski FULL REVIEW open-full-review

See All 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User score

User reviews are not available yet

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0% Positive
0 Ratings

0% Mixed
0 Ratings

0% Negative
0 Ratings

User reviews are not available for this movie yet.

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Details

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Production Company:

Duration:1 h 45 m

Genres:

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Awards

Sundance Film Festival

• 1 Nomination

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