Review embargo template
Copy paste embargo email for film and game reviewers. Separate lines for the review embargo and the spoiler embargo, so nothing leaks before it should.
Review embargo email template
Subject: [REVIEW EMBARGO] {Title}, lifts {Date} {Time} {TZ}
Hi {First name},
Review embargo details for {Title} ({Studio / Publisher}):
Review embargo lifts:
• 09:00 PT, Wednesday 21 October 2026
• 12:00 ET, Wednesday 21 October 2026
• 17:00 BST, Wednesday 21 October 2026
• 18:00 CEST, Wednesday 21 October 2026
Spoiler embargo (if separate): {Date} at {Time} {TZ}
Review copy, screener or code: {link or attachment}
Press kit and assets: {link}
Interview availability: {yes/no and windows}
Please confirm receipt.
{Your name}
{Studio / Publisher / PR agency}Custom moment or extra timezones? Generate a fresh block with the Embargo Timer.
Review embargo vs spoiler embargo
If review and spoiler restrictions are separate, list both clearly, even when they lift at the same moment. A single vague line invites reviewers to guess what "no spoilers" means in practice.
What reviewers need before the embargo lifts
Reviewers need more than a clock time. They need to know whether the embargo covers written reviews, video reviews, livestreams, social posts, screenshots, clips, plot details or performance notes. If one format lifts before another, put that in the first email.
Games add extra timing problems. A day-one patch, server switch-on, multiplayer embargo or capture restriction can change what reviewers are allowed to show. Film campaigns have similar issues with spoilers, post-credit scenes and festival premiere language.
Film review checklist
- Review embargo lift time.
- Spoiler embargo lift time.
- Screener link, expiry and watermark rules.
- Approved stills, trailer links and interview windows.
Game review checklist
- Review embargo lift time.
- Gameplay capture and streaming rules.
- Patch version and server availability.
- What counts as a spoiler for quests, endings or bosses.
A safer way to write the lift time
Use a table or bullet list when you send to more than one region. A reviewer in London should not need to convert an ET time in their head, and a West Coast outlet should not need to guess if you meant PST or PT.
Review embargo lifts: • 09:00 PT, Wednesday 21 October 2026 • 12:00 ET, Wednesday 21 October 2026 • 17:00 BST, Wednesday 21 October 2026 • 18:00 CEST, Wednesday 21 October 2026
Review embargo FAQ
When do film review embargoes usually lift?
It varies. For wide theatrical releases, embargoes often lift a day or two before opening. Streaming films sometimes lift the morning the film goes live. Studios and distributors set the exact date and time.
When do game review embargoes typically lift?
Common windows are 24 to 72 hours before launch. Publishers sometimes stagger written reviews, video reviews and post-patch reviews. Exact times are set by the publisher and PR agency for each title.
What is the difference between a review embargo and a spoiler embargo?
A review embargo controls when any coverage can go live. A spoiler embargo (common for narrative-heavy films and games) lifts earlier for general reviews, and restricts specific plot points until a later date. List both clearly in the email.
Can I lift the embargo early for a specific outlet?
Yes, but confirm the earlier lift time in writing and make sure both sides understand what is covered. Keep verbal agreements to a minimum. Document the timing so nobody has to guess later.
What if a reviewer breaks a review embargo?
Contact the reviewer directly, confirm what happened and check whether the timing was clear. Consider lifting the embargo for everyone else so honest reviewers are not disadvantaged. Future access decisions depend on the intent, impact and relationship.
Related
A Wrong Floor project
Built from real PR work
Hi, I'm Raoul. I spent more than 15 years working on PR campaigns and international launches. At Wrong Floor, I build simple digital tools for work that takes longer than it should. Embargo Timer is one of them.
Got a PR task that still takes too much time, or an idea for a tool that should exist? Send it my way.