The Critic

The Critic

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Overview

Jimmy Erskine is the most feared theatre critic of the age. He lives as flamboyantly as he writes and takes pleasure in savagely taking down any actor who fails to meet his standards. When the owner of the Daily Chronicle dies, and his son takes over, Jimmy quickly finds himself at odds with his new boss and his position under threat. In an attempt to preserve the power and influence he holds so sacred, Jimmy strikes a Faustian pact with a struggling actress, entangling them and the boss in a thrilling but deadly web of desire, blackmail, and betrayal.

Media

THE CRITIC at TIFF 2023 | Q&A with Ben Barnes, Alfred Enoch

Cast

Lesley Manville

Director:

Anand Tucker

Writer:

Patrick Marber

Release Date:

2024-09-13

Run Time:

101m

Tagline:

Ambition seduces. Power corrupts.

Genres:

Crime Drama Mystery Thriller

Keywords:

1930s actress blackmail critic deception murder stage actress theatre

Financials and Popularity

Budget: Not Declared

Revenue: 824,517.00$

Vote Average: 5.8/10

Vote Count: 106 Votes

Movie Popularity: 1.2552

Spoken Languages: English

Review

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Insomniacs Reviews
- 01 May 2026 at 8:52 am

6 Based on 1 Votes
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⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 6/10 THE SUMMARY In the smoke-filled, shadow-drenched world of 1930s London, Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) is the most feared theatre critic in the city. His pen is a weapon, and his reviews can end a career before the curtain even falls. But when the newspaper’s new owner, Viscount Brooke (Mark Strong), takes over with a mission to "clean up" the publication’s moral tone, Jimmy’s flamboyant lifestyle and vicious prose put him directly in the firing line. To save his job, Jimmy weaves a gritty web of blackmail and deceit, dragging a vulnerable actress (Gemma Arterton) into a Faustian pact that leads to a visceral, tragic spiral. THE PROS Ian McKellen is a total highlight, delivering a performance that is as sharp as a razor and twice as cold. He plays Jimmy with a pained, arrogant charm that makes you hate him and can’t look away from him all at once. Mark Strong is an honest, stoic foil as the new boss, and Gemma Arterton brings a sincere vulnerability to a role that could have easily felt like a trope. The production design is a fair shout for the film's best feature—the amber-tinted, foggy streets of pre-war London feel heavy and authentic, capturing a gritty, lived-in atmosphere that’s visually stunning. It’s an honest attempt at a classic noir thriller that isn't afraid to get its hands dirty. THE CONS It sits at a 6 because the script is a bit of a head-scratcher in the final act, where the plot becomes a cluttered mess of convenient twists and pained logic. It misses a higher mark because, despite the "epic" potential of its cast, the pacing feels uneven—it starts as a sharp character study but shifts into a clunky melodrama that loses its edge. While the acting is top-tier, the editing feels choppy, and the pained, dark ending might feel more unsatisfying than profound for many. It’s an honest effort that ultimately feels less scandalous and gripping than it tries to be. THE VERDICT 6/10. A gritty period thriller that’s worth it for McKellen’s venomous performance alone. It’s a fair shout for a one-time watch, even if the story doesn't quite stick the landing. INSOMNIAC TRIVIA • Following a mixed reception at its 2023 festival premiere, the film underwent significant re-shoots and a fresh edit in early 2024 to tighten the narrative before its theatrical release.• Alfred Enoch, who plays Jimmy’s assistant, is the son of British acting legend William Russell; sadly, Russell passed away just months before the film's wide release.• In a pained nod to their careers, Ian McKellen’s character is told to make his reviews "more Beauty, less Beast"—a sincere wink to McKellen’s role as Cogsworth in the live-action Disney remake. THE VIBE Like a thick fog in a narrow alleyway. It smells of stale gin, expensive fountain pen ink, and the metallic tang of a cold, hidden secret.

Videos

THE CRITIC at TIFF 2023 | Q&A with Ben Barnes, Alfred Enoch

Cast

Lesley Manville

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Comment (1)

Insomniacs Reviews
- 1 May 2026 at 9:52 AM

⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 6/10
THE SUMMARY
In the smoke-filled, shadow-drenched world of 1930s London, Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) is the most feared theatre critic in the city. His pen is a weapon, and his reviews can end a career before the curtain even falls. But when the newspaper’s new owner, Viscount Brooke (Mark Strong), takes over with a mission to “clean up” the publication’s moral tone, Jimmy’s flamboyant lifestyle and vicious prose put him directly in the firing line. To save his job, Jimmy weaves a gritty web of blackmail and deceit, dragging a vulnerable actress (Gemma Arterton) into a Faustian pact that leads to a visceral, tragic spiral.
THE PROS
Ian McKellen is a total highlight, delivering a performance that is as sharp as a razor and twice as cold. He plays Jimmy with a pained, arrogant charm that makes you hate him and can’t look away from him all at once. Mark Strong is an honest, stoic foil as the new boss, and Gemma Arterton brings a sincere vulnerability to a role that could have easily felt like a trope. The production design is a fair shout for the film’s best feature—the amber-tinted, foggy streets of pre-war London feel heavy and authentic, capturing a gritty, lived-in atmosphere that’s visually stunning. It’s an honest attempt at a classic noir thriller that isn’t afraid to get its hands dirty.
THE CONS
It sits at a 6 because the script is a bit of a head-scratcher in the final act, where the plot becomes a cluttered mess of convenient twists and pained logic. It misses a higher mark because, despite the “epic” potential of its cast, the pacing feels uneven—it starts as a sharp character study but shifts into a clunky melodrama that loses its edge. While the acting is top-tier, the editing feels choppy, and the pained, dark ending might feel more unsatisfying than profound for many. It’s an honest effort that ultimately feels less scandalous and gripping than it tries to be.
THE VERDICT
6/10. A gritty period thriller that’s worth it for McKellen’s venomous performance alone. It’s a fair shout for a one-time watch, even if the story doesn’t quite stick the landing.
INSOMNIAC TRIVIA
• Following a mixed reception at its 2023 festival premiere, the film underwent significant re-shoots and a fresh edit in early 2024 to tighten the narrative before its theatrical release.
• Alfred Enoch, who plays Jimmy’s assistant, is the son of British acting legend William Russell; sadly, Russell passed away just months before the film’s wide release.
• In a pained nod to their careers, Ian McKellen’s character is told to make his reviews “more Beauty, less Beast”—a sincere wink to McKellen’s role as Cogsworth in the live-action Disney remake.
THE VIBE
Like a thick fog in a narrow alleyway. It smells of stale gin, expensive fountain pen ink, and the metallic tang of a cold, hidden secret.

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