A slow, incoherent thriller saved only by Naseeruddin Shah's commanding presence.
Verdict tier Unfavorable, most critics didn't like it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
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Critic consensus
Critical reception for John Day is overwhelmingly negative, with most reviewers finding the film confusing, slow-moving, and narratively incoherent. The most consistent criticism across reviews is that the plot is overly ambiguous and fails to engage, with several critics noting it drags considerably in its second half. Naseeruddin Shah's performance stands out as the sole element drawing consistent praise, with multiple reviewers singling him out as the film's saving grace. A small minority of critics found it an engaging, unconventional thriller, but these positive assessments are a clear outlier in the consensus.
2 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 17 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
'John Day' can't be described as an admirable work. It is certainly not meant for the squeamish or the 'Chennai Express' constituency. Yet, neither is it dismissable as an average, formula thriller. It has it engaging moments. And of course, Mr Shah to remind you that acting can save the day, 'John Day'.
Top critic
Film review ·
The film then is sloppy and contrived; it's an unoriginal and uninspiring thriller that's let down by flabby writing.
Top critic
Film review ·
Is this film more interesting than a documentary of the same actors having lunch? The answer is no.
Top critic
Film review ·
The matter-of-factness with which brutal acts are interspersed through this film, and the zest with which they are carried out, made me think that this must be a copy of some Hollywood film. But the rest of it is weighed down with childhood angst in a very European fashion.
Top critic
Film review ·
What really destroys the film is that even in the final hour it never feels like anything is at stake. The climactic scene falls completely limp because the story never makes you care about anything that's going on. The film never presented me a hook to continue watching and ultimately I could finish watching John Day because I am a huge film buff, and the process was a struggle. Most film viewers will be fine skipping it altogether.
Film review ·
JOHN DAY is a razor-sharp thriller with an engaging screenplay, high-voltage drama and sterling performances as its aces. A film like JOHN DAY is a leap in the right direction. It reinforces your faith and trust in qualitative films and deserves to be supported. Strongly recommended!
Film review ·
For a film about losers "John Day" proves to be a paradoxically profitable movie-viewing experience for the audience.
Film review ·
Not for a while have we seen a film so steeped in despair, so swathed in anxiety, so audaciously draped in despair and yet it engages our senses without miring the plot in morbidity.
Film review ·
If there is a sole reason to watch this film, it is Naseeruddin Shah.
Film review ·
John Day initially gives an impression that it's all about decoding a puzzle or unravelling a mystery at breakneck speed. Unfortunately, that's not the case. It's gripping but like the characters, the plot is way too ambiguous, deceitful and tedious for your liking.
Film review ·
A muddled affair, John Day seems lost in its own maze of self-indulgence.
Film review ·
Inspired by Box 507 (Spain, 2002), John Day is a slow, cumbersome watch that takes too much time to tell too little.
Film review ·
While the film keeps you reasonably interested in the first half, it still moves like a driver on a highway who refuses to move into top gear. The plot which tries to be too smart for its own good falls apart considerably, later.
Film review ·
Incomplete, boring and confusing comes easily to the mind when describing the film. All in all, a bland thriller.
Film review ·
From the trailer, I expected John Day to be a marvel of sorts but with deceiving story that runs off track for most part, the film is too ambiguous. Though Naseeruddin Shah's acting helps, the film revels in morbidity and audaciously flaunts its comatose story. Frankly I was terrorized by this arid movie's drabness. I went in hoping for so much and came out thinking how bad will it be if I mark this film a zero. However, I finally settled for 1/5 for John Day. The best thing that happened to me all day was that the film finally got over after what felt like light years.
Film review ·
John Day fails as a thriller. I suppose it had a run time of approximately two hours, but it felt more like five.
Film review ·
John Day is confusing and boring and has very little to entertain. It will, therefore, not be able to create any mark at the box-office. Its poor opening will only add to its tale of woes.
Credits
Naseeruddin ShahJohnday
Randeep HoodaGautam
Shernaz PatelMariaday
Sharat SaxenaKhan saab
Vipin SharmaShinde
Bharat DabholkarAshok Deshmukh
Elena KazanTabassum Habibi
Makarand DeshpandeKrishnan
Ananth MahadevanFriend Of JohndayHindi films like John Day
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