"Metacritic gives the film a weighted average score of 60 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".Peter Debruge of "Variety" gave the film a positive review, saying, ""Trumbo" may be clumsy and overly simplistic at times, but it's still an important reminder of how democracy can fail (that is, when a fervent majority turns on those with different and potentially threatening values), and the strength of character it takes to fight the system."