"Absorbing. A handsomely mounted psychological drama with an arresting lead turn by Cillian Murphy, his work here sets a new standard for gender-bending performances.”
-Christian Toto, Washington Times
"Rush out right now to buy 0r rent it, because you'll want to see this film more than once. Peacock is such an incredibly creepy and shocking motion picture – I promise you – you'll never forget it.”
- Earl Dittman, Digital Journal
"Why did this movie not get a theatrical release? This is the kind of film that should thrive. It has amazing performances from the entire cast. Cillian Murphy is a stand out as John / Emma, but Susan Sarandon and Ellen Page are also fantastic. They have a stellar script to work with, it never lets you know in advance where it's going, right up till the end...It' a real shame Peacock never earned a theatrical release."
- C.S. Strowbridge, The Numbers
"An affecting and bizarre psychological thriller. Cillain is extraordinary and utterly convincing in both John/Emma mode, and there's nice work from the rest of the cast which includes Susan Sarandon, Ellen Page, Keith Carradine, Josh Lucas and Bill Pullman. There's expert direction by Michael Lander, not to mention excellent period piece recreation. This movie is surprisingly moving as it is strange.”
- Dennis Dermody, Paper Mag
"Once in a while there comes a superior movie that raises a valid question as to why it was released directly for home video consumption. "Peacock" (2009) is one such exceptional movie. Cillian Murphy gives his most-astonishing performance to date. Ellen Page´s performance as a single mother is equally impressive. After her success in "Juno" and "Whip-It," her display in "Peacock" only reinforces the fact that she is maturing as an actress with each movie. "Peacock" is the most puzzling direct-to-video release I have ever seen. Nonetheless, this only means "Peacock" is probably the best direct-to-video movie in recent memory.”
- Ranjan Pruthee, DVD Town
"Cillian Murphy gives a brilliant dual performance as two personalities in the same body, a great portrayal of two very different people. First-time writers Ryan O Roy and Michael Lander, who also directed, keeps the suspense up by revealing Murphy’s dual personality just a few minutes into the film. John’s abuse also is set up early on, so the audience feels for John and longs for his secret to be kept. The movie is about how their lives change because of the train crash and Emma’s newfound independence. This is definitely a film to check out if you like your entertainment interesting and on the edge of your seat."
- Disc Dish
"A drama of incredible depth and sheer raw twistiness, packed with terrific performances. Especially by Cillian Murphy–you haven’t SEEN insanity until you’ve seen a man have a fight with his wife who happens to be himself! A bizarre, unique masterwork of drama and suspense. Mindblowing. It’s not every day you see a movie that can do THIS…even if it’s not very easy to explain just what “this” is.”
- Steve Anderson, Screenhead
"Joanne Woodward in The Three Faces of Eve and Sally Field in Sybil, Oscar- and Emmy-winning performances, respectively. Toni Collette as Tara, won last year's Emmy as well. Do similar rewards await Cillian Murphy for his turn in the split personality sweepstakes? If there's any justice in this world, absolutely. Plus, he's surrounded by a supporting cast that 100% brings it's "A" game. A real thinking, feeling person's look at the thin line between mental health and mental illness but with enough of an edge to it that feelings of uncertainty and suspense permeate every frame. It's all held together by an award-worthy leading man ... or is that woman?”
- Debi Moore, Dread Central
"A huge surprise to me, not just because it’s a fantastic film, but more due to the fact that it’s only now making its world premiere on DVD. A gorgeously photographed film boasting a great cast, a suspenseful and unique storyline, and a riveting lead performance by Murphy and yet, somehow, it slips completely under the radar and, in lieu of a much-deserved theatrical release, gets unceremoniously plopped on the shelves of your local Blockbuster. Surely as good a piece of award bait as I’ve seen this year, I can’t imagine why it didn’t at least make the usual festival rounds. Could very well be one of the best direct-to-DVD movies I’ve ever seen. This is a film that deserves so much better. It also showcases Philippe Rousselot’s gorgeous cinematography. While it’s setting is pure Americana, the film has a distinctly European flair that borders on Polanski-esque, resulting in a sophisticated and stylish thriller that comes highly recommended."
- Horrorview
“An ambitious film that explores an intriguing idea in a complex and surprising manner. It's a film that defies easy description and doesn't follow a formulaic path. Everywhere it does go makes perfect sense in retrospect, but the film will certainly shatter the preconceived notions of many. I can easily see how the film could have been tweaked into a more mainstream thriller, but I'm selfishly thankful that Peacock stays true to itself all the way to the finish. Murphy's knockout performance is one of the best of his career and it's contained within a worthy, ambitious film."
- Clark Douglas, The DVD Verdict
"Cillian Murphy rocks the hell out of the role, his performance is fantastic and impressive. This is an intellectual and psychological ride that isn't presented in black and white. It may have come out of nowhere, but I don't think I'll be forgetting it anytime soon."
- Andre Manseau, Jo Blo
“It is a testament to the work of director/co-writer Michael Lander and of Cillian Murphy (not for the first time making effective use of his androgynous looks) that one finds oneself increasingly viewing Skillpa as two entirely separate people as, bit by by, drop by drop, the suspense builds. Sympathy shifts back and forth between Emma and John, and by the end one can no more imagine Skillpa as a unified whole than one can decide which of the two halves is the “real” person. Touching and tense, this is a bizarre cross between Psycho and Our Town, and it somehow works very well indeed.”
- David Annandale, UpComingDiscs.com
“I found it to be beautifully bizarre. And all of this is thanks to Cillian Murphy's performance. He effortlessly portrays two very different people who just happen to be inhabiting the same body. I honestly became lost in his portrayal of the separate personalities that I'd sometimes forgot Emma and John were technically the same person... Mr. Murphy isn't the only who does a great job. Susan Sarandon is excellent as Peacock's first lady who quickly befriends Emma to benefit her husband's political career. And not playing the typical smartass teenager, Ellen Page is heartbreaking as Maggie, who reveals secrets of John's that are equally as dark as Emma. Keith Carradine, Bill Pullman and Josh Lucas round out a very strong cast.”
- Rachel Minyard, Reel Reviews
“From everything I’ve heard and read lately, everyone’s going on and on about how Cillian Murphy (28 DAYS LATER, BATMAN BEGINS) deserves an Oscar for this role, and how he gave the performance of a lifetime. Well, I can assure you beyond the shadow of any doubts that after watching this flick, IT’S ALL TRUE!!! I knew the dude was talented, but his performance here was just phenomenal and beyond comprehension.”
- Craig McGee, Horror News
“Cillian Murphy... his ability to transform from John to Emma was thrilling and disturbing. He’s a talented actor that needs a lot more recognition than just “the hot guy in Red Eye.” Definitely an Oscar performance with an interesting twist between John and Emma. And if you’re a fan of Ellen Page then be prepared to see her shine in a dramatic roll. Loved seeing her in a different role! She proved she can set comedy aside and take on a character who is likable, vulnerable and fighting for something more. So overall I’d say it’s definitely worth watching when you’re in the mood for a film that’s complex, sad and an intriguing look at true split personalities.”
- Screen2DVD
“Four out of Five Stars! Cillian Murphy gives a remarkable performance in his dual-roles. John is about ready to crack under the pressure to keep his secret and Murphy wonderfully captures John’s intensity. In his debut as a director and writer Michael Lander, along with first-time writer Ryan Roy, create a story that completely sucks you in and keeps you entertained all the way through.”
- Dan McNamara, MovieFilmReview
“ A+! I am so impressed by Cillian's portrayal of both John and Emma. He is so believable you almost forget that its him as Emma. This movie is reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers. I was quite impressed and glad that I watched this unorthodox movie.”
- Coming Soon Or Already Here
“A surprisingly effective (given its miniscule theatrical release) sub-Hitchcock thriller with an excellent cast, Peacock gives us Cillian Murphy as John Skillpa, a timid bank clerk living in small town Nebraska in the ’50s, whose life is disrupted when a train caboose derails and crashes into his backyard. With a very strong cast, including Ellen Page, Susan Sarandon, Bill Pullman and Josh Lucas, Peacock is a disturbing, smart film that deserved better.”
- Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat Gazette
“This unconventional film defies expectations and genres. Cillian Murphy does an excellent job playing both John and Emma, and the transformation is unbelievable. Ellen Page delivers a powerful performance as a young, single mother desperate to leave town. Susan Sarandon gives another outstanding performance as a strong, independent wife.”
- Aron Gold, Edge
“You should watch Peacock. Murphy is really exceptional. He's a tightly wound bundle of neuroses as a man, and as Emma, he quickly learns how to assert him/herself. It's a riveting, quality experience. You should rent it sometime soon.”
- Paul Constant, The Stranger
“Cillian Murphy gives an amazing performances as both John and Emma. These are two completely separate people, with distinctly different ways of talking, walking and different personalities and facial tics, but Murphy makes them both believable and I even starting thinking of them as two separate people instead of one man. How Murphy didn’t receive more accolades for his performance is beyond me, because he is purely brilliant in this film. I found myself getting sucked into the twisted, dreary story. Besides the fantastic performances, director Michael Lander creates a somber, post-Dustbowl era (the movie could be set anywhere from the 1930’s to the 1950’s) atmosphere. The film itself is beautifully filmed and its dark tones create a melancholy, ominous tone. “
- Sarah Jahier, Fatally Yours
“Cillian Murphy ("Batman Begins") turns in two Oscar-worthy performances in Michael Lander's Hitchcockian suspense thriller. Peacock is a textbook example of how to do classic suspense. Skillpa's cross-gendered dissociative identity isn't kept a secret from the audience in any attempt to surprise -- in fact, it's plainly revealed during the opening of the film, as we see the transition from one to the other. Rather, the tension comes from watching John's private world become more and more difficult to maintain, as the pressure continues to mount. Would-be thriller directors would do well to take notes on Lander's methods, which are right out of the Alfred Hitchcock playbook.”
- R.J. Carter, The Trades
“I thoroughly enjoyed the interesting and ultimately terrifying look into the world of schizophrenia that is Peacock... Cillian Murphy is the driving force giving both John and Emma personalities that are completely their own. This a great indie movie that deserves a little more cred than it's getting. ”
- Will LeBlanc, Cinema Blend
“There will never be another Alfred Hitchcock and there most assuredly will never be another Psycho but Peacock is about as close as it may ever get. Cillian Murphy gives what is, in my opinion, not only his best performance, but an Oscar worthy one at that playing Emma and John Skillpa. This a very creepy movie and from the outset.”
- Horror Hound
“In the same vein as Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Michael Lander’s Peacock does not disappoint. Intriguing and suspenseful, Peacock begins to psychologically mess with its audience right away... Peacock definitely left a strong, positive impression on me. I definitely think that Peacock more than satisfies. To say the least, I would definitely be willing to watch it again…probably more than once.”
- Sahara Frost, Pop Syndicate, USA Today
“Recently I got a refreshing change of pace with Michael Lander’s Peacock. He plots a story that is never what you’d call predictable.”
- Matt Currie, Collider.com