J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Aug 10, 2022

This documentary from producer Lawrence Bender (An Inconvenient Truth) attempts to shake up the equation, portraying a future attack as probable yet making the gradual elimination of weapons-grade material seem achievable.

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Sr. Rose Pacatte National Catholic Reporter Jun 29, 2017

The scope of Countdown to Zero is as vast as it is frightening.

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Roe McDermott Hot Press Mar 14, 2016 2/5

Unfortunately Walker's arguments come wrapped in layers of stars and stripes, with America's 'Us .v. Them' mentality seeping from every shot.

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Ed Whitfield What Culture Jul 6, 2011 3.5/5

A whirlwind tour of human failure ...

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Amber Wilkinson Eye for Film Jun 29, 2011 4/5

Lucy Walker's chilling documentary serves as a reminder that the threat of a nuclear bomb going off somewhere in the world to devastating effect has not diminished just because it has slipped from the public consciousness.

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Jason Solomons Observer (UK) Jun 26, 2011

Skilfully crafted and smoothly assembled...

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Jason Best Movie Talk Jun 24, 2011

An urgent wake-up call.

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Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard Jun 24, 2011 3/5

We've gone backwards rather than forwards. To watch a film such as this is to shudder all over again.

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Antonia Quirke Financial Times Jun 24, 2011 3/5

The film's most sobering fact: any world leader has a maximum of 10 seconds to decide to retaliate in the event of a nuclear attack.

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Anthony Quinn Independent (UK) Jun 24, 2011 2/5

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David Edwards Daily Mirror (UK) Jun 23, 2011 2/5

The threat of nuclear disaster is clear and present according to this documentary. Yet its argument that Armageddon is right around the corner is as terrifying as milk.

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Henry Fitzherbert Daily Express (UK) Jun 23, 2011 3/5

The chilling and highly informative film shows how perilously close we are to nuclear catastrophe, either via terrorism, Dr Strangelove-style cock-up or simple accident.

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian Jun 23, 2011 5/5

Screamingly urgent and contemporary.

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David Gritten Daily Telegraph (UK) Jun 23, 2011 4/5

Countdown to Zero leaves you uneasy enough about the threat from nukes, but also amazed that to date, at least, no blunder has ended in annihilation.

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Trevor Johnston Radio Times Jun 23, 2011 3/5

This campaigning documentary offers a sobering warning that the possibility of nuclear destruction is still very much with us.

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Matthew Turner ViewLondon Jun 23, 2011 3/5

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Elliott Noble Sky Cinema Jun 22, 2011 3/5

A 91-minute warning to give this generation something to worry about.

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Dave Calhoun Time Out Jun 22, 2011 4/5

Comes loaded with a relatively big budget and a line-up of talking heads more powerful than a meeting of the Bilderberg Group.

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David Hughes Empire Magazine Jun 20, 2011 3/5

A valuable and scary film that should be seen.

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Lisa Giles-Keddie Real.com Jun 19, 2011 4/5

Looking at Walker's film objectively, it suggests how damn lucky we've been so far, and attempts to finish on an 'upbeat' note - after scaring the bejesus out of us

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