Next month, Netflix will release a new period thriller featuring Ian McKellen as a harsh theater critic seeking revenge.
The thriller The Critic, recently taken off Prime Video, features Ian McKellen as Jimmy Erskine, a famously sharp-tongued reviewer for The Daily Chronicle newspaper. The story is set in 1930.
Critics and audiences alike have strong feelings about Erskine’s reviews, but they don’t fit with the direction the newspaper is taking under its new owner, Viscount David Brooke (Mark Strong), who has taken over after his father passed away.
After being fired for his homosexuality, Erskine devises a clever plan for revenge, aided by Nina Land (Gemma Arterton), an actress he frequently criticized in his reviews.
The 2023 film The Critic, directed by Anand Tucker and written by Patrick Marber, is based on Anthony Quinn’s 2015 novel Curtain Call. It will begin streaming on Netflix in the UK on April 8th.
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The period drama boasts a strong cast, including Lesley Manville as Nina’s mother, Annabel Land. Alfred Enoch, known for How to Get Away with Murder, plays Tom Turner, the secretary and lover of Erskine. Romola Garai and Ben Barnes also star as Cora and Stephen Wyley, respectively.
It’s ironic that the movie The Critic itself has gotten mixed reviews, currently holding a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, many have praised it as a thrilling and enjoyable film, with The Daily Mail calling it “superb” and “delicious,” and specifically highlighting a fantastic performance by Ian McKellen.
According to Variety, Ian McKellen skillfully combines moments of intense emotion with humor in a performance that’s both witty and dramatic. The Guardian declared him the perfect choice for the role of Erskine, emphasizing that the character wouldn’t work with any other actor, and stating his contribution is essential to the story.
Elsewhere, Empire argued that despite McKellen’s star power, the plot falls short.
The review praised Ian McKellen’s performance as the sharp-tongued Erskine, but noted the film’s slow plot sometimes meant he was the only thing keeping viewers engaged.
The Critic lands on Netflix from 8 April.
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2026-03-13 03:49