First Reviews Fire Off for Kiefer Sutherland's 'Father Joe' After Explosive Premiere

Early reviews are rolling in for Luc Besson’s new mob drama “Father Joe,” now showcased at the 2026 Venice Film Festival. TheWrap’s report and other early coverage describe a 1990s New York City story directed by Barthélémy Grossmann, where Kiefer Sutherland plays a priest by day and an avenging angel by night. The character kills drug dealers to prevent sales to people under 21, and the film adds a controversial twist: he tries to reform some dealers by poisoning them and giving antidotes only if they attend mass. Critics highlight Sutherland’s grounded performance. Tim Grierson of Screen Daily praised him for selling Joe’s contradictions with “serenity and grace.” Deadline’s Damon Wise said Al Pacino is “about the only thing” not over the top, while The Upcoming’s Selina Sondermann called Pacino’s performance underwhelming and said he “phoned in” his role. The film also stars Ever Anderson as Felicity, a teenager.