Prime Video is removing Ian McKellen and Lesley Manville’s “wonderful” period thriller very soon

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I was so bummed to hear that The Critic, that really great period thriller with Ian McKellen and Lesley Manville, is leaving Prime Video soon! It’s got a super clever, winding story and an amazing cast – honestly, you really shouldn’t miss out on watching it before it’s gone.

The movie, set in the 1930s and adapted from Anthony Quinn’s 2015 novel Curtain Call, stars Ian McKellen as Jimmy Erskine. He plays a theatre critic for the Daily Chronicle known for his harsh and aggressive reviews.

Jimmy particularly despises actress Nina Land, but they unexpectedly team up in a dangerous plan after Jimmy is fired because of his sexual orientation. However, it’s unclear if either of them actually trusts the other.

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Okay, so I just finished watching this really cool period thriller directed by Anand Tucker, and the script was written by Patrick Marber – seriously, great stuff. You can stream it on Prime Video right now, but heads up – it’s disappearing on March 8th, so you gotta check it out before it’s gone!

The film boasts a strong cast, featuring Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton, and David Manville, who plays Annabel Land, alongside Mark Strong, Alfred Enoch, Romola Garai, Ben Barnes, and Nikesh Patel.

I finally got to see The Critic after it premiered in September 2023 and came out in theaters a year later, and honestly, the reviews are all over the place! Right now, Rotten Tomatoes has it at about 51% based on 94 reviews, so it’s definitely a bit divisive.

Film Threat praised the show as a high-quality drama, especially highlighting Ian McKellen’s performance. They also noted Gemma Arterton’s excellent portrayal of an actress battling her own inner struggles and insecurities.

According to The Guardian, the film feels a bit like a comforting, old-fashioned mystery, which weakens its impact. However, Ian McKellen’s performance is outstanding – he’s perfectly cast and truly elevates the entire film; his presence is essential.

TheWrap also highly praised the performance, noting that the show truly belonged to Ian McKellen. They described his portrayal of Jimmy as both awful and sympathetic, but ultimately captivating, and said critics could only admire his work.

Prime Video will soon lose more than just The Critic. Matthew Vaughn’s popular crime thriller Layer Cake, featuring Daniel Craig and Tom Hardy, is also leaving the service on March 3rd.

The Critic is streaming on Prime Video until 8 March.

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2026-02-23 17:49