{ "id": "epqtyjwvm3", "slug": "the-critic-2024-film", "title": "The Critic (2024 film)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.crime-thriller-mystery", "label": "Crime, thriller, and mystery films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.crime-thriller-mystery" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.crime-thriller-mystery.2023-2024-films", "label": "2023–2024 films", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.crime-thriller-mystery.2023-2024-films" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.weu.t2021.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.crime-thriller-mystery", "label": "Western Europe · 2021 and later: Crime, thriller, and mystery films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2021.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.crime-thriller-mystery", "path": [ { "id": "geo.weu", "label": "Western Europe", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2021", "label": "Western Europe · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2021.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2021.culture" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2021.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2021.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2021.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2021.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2021.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2021.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2021.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2021.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2021.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.crime-thriller-mystery", "label": "Crime, thriller, and mystery films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2021.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.crime-thriller-mystery" } ] } ], "excerpt": "The Critic is a 2024 British period crime drama directed by Anand Tucker, in which Ian McKellen plays a feared 1930s London theater critic protecting his career.", "snippet": "The Critic is a 2024 British period crime drama directed by Anand Tucker, in which Ian McKellen plays a feared 1930s London theater critic protecting his career.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.crime-thriller-mystery.2023-2024-films", "markdown": "# The Critic (2024 film)\n\n**The Critic** is a 2024 British period crime drama directed by Anand Tucker, in which [Ian McKellen](https://www.edgepedia.org/ian-mckellen) plays Jimmy Erskine, a feared London theater critic of the 1930s who takes drastic action to protect his career after clashing with his newspaper's new owner. The screenplay by Patrick Marber adapts [Anthony Quinn](https://www.edgepedia.org/anthony-quinn)'s 2015 novel *Curtain Call*, and the cast includes [Gemma Arterton](https://www.edgepedia.org/gemma-arterton), Mark Strong, Lesley Manville, Ben Barnes, Alfred Enoch, and Romola Garai.[1](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-critic-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdiymtqx) • [2](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-critic-review-2024)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Director / writer | Anand Tucker; screenplay by Patrick Marber, adapted from Anthony Quinn's novel *Curtain Call* (2015)[2](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-critic-review-2024) |\n| Setting and premise | 1930s London; a renowned theater critic takes drastic, sordid action to protect his career[1](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-critic-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdiymtqx) |\n| Lead cast | Ian McKellen (Jimmy Erskine), Gemma Arterton (Nina Land), Mark Strong (David Brooke), Lesley Manville, Ben Barnes[3](https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-critic/umc.cmc.6y5rs8i1tgor249ti6c1iun2w) |\n| Festival premiere | Toronto International Film Festival, September 7, 2023[4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13457790/releaseinfo/) |\n| Theatrical release | September 13, 2024, in the UK (Lionsgate) and the United States (Greenwich Entertainment)[5](https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/36898E28004A8C34) • [6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_critic_2023) |\n| Runtime and ratings | 101 minutes; R in the United States, 15A in Ireland[1](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-critic-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdiymtqx) • [5](https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/36898E28004A8C34) |\n| Reception | 51% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer (94 reviews); Metascore 54 on Metacritic[6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_critic_2023) • [7](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-critic/critic-reviews/) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Plot and characters\n\nJimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) is the chief theater critic of the *Daily Chronicle*, the most feared critic of his age, who entertains readers with scathingly witty takedowns of any actor or production that fails to meet his standards.[8](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature/2024-09-14-interview-with-anand-tucker-about-the-critic-feature-story-by-paul-risker) After the death of his father, David Brooke ([Mark Strong](https://www.edgepedia.org/mark-strong)) takes over the [Chronicle](https://www.edgepedia.org/chronicle) and tries to make it a family-friendly newspaper. He and Erskine immediately clash; Brooke lets go of some of the old guard writers and makes a simple request of the veteran critic: \"Be kinder.\" Erskine cannot abide it, and after being arrested for homosexual transgressions, he loses his job.[8](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature/2024-09-14-interview-with-anand-tucker-about-the-critic-feature-story-by-paul-risker)\n\nTo take back power from Brooke, Erskine makes a deal with actress Nina Land (Gemma Arterton), whom he harshly reviewed but recognizes as having talent, and sets a devious plot in motion.[8](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature/2024-09-14-interview-with-anand-tucker-about-the-critic-feature-story-by-paul-risker) [Sony Pictures](https://www.edgepedia.org/sony-pictures)' synopsis describes the story as a whodunnit wrapped in a Faustian pact, in which the critic, the new owner, and the actress become entangled in a deadly web of blackmail and betrayal.[9](https://www.sonypictures.com.au/movies/critic) Apple TV's description adds that the film follows the unlikely friendship between the aging critic and the struggling West End actress after she witnesses a brutal murder by a notorious serial killer; fearing for her life and unable to turn to the police, the pair are thrown into blackmail and deceit.[3](https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-critic/umc.cmc.6y5rs8i1tgor249ti6c1iun2w)\n\nThe supporting cast includes [Lesley Manville](https://www.edgepedia.org/lesley-manville) as Annabel, Ben Barnes as Stephen Wyley, Romola Garai as Cora Wyley, Claire Skinner as Mary Brooke, and [Alfred Enoch](https://www.edgepedia.org/alfred-enoch) as Tom Turner.[3](https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-critic/umc.cmc.6y5rs8i1tgor249ti6c1iun2w)\n\n## Adaptation and production\n\nThe film is a reimagining of Anthony Quinn's novel *Curtain Call*, and the title was changed from the novel's to *The Critic* to better reflect its central conflict, the power struggles within the world of arts criticism.[9](https://www.sonypictures.com.au/movies/critic) • [10](https://langleyfilmbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/250417FilmboxFilmNotesTheCritic.pdf) Quinn, a former *Independent* film critic, wrote the source novel.[11](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/the-critic-ian-mckellen-review-b2611046.html)\n\nThe producers were David Gilbery, Bill Kenwright, and Jolyon Symonds, and the film was produced by the late [Bill Kenwright](https://www.edgepedia.org/bill-kenwright)'s BK Studios.[6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_critic_2023) • [12](https://www.westendtheatre.com/348569/news/west-end-movie-the-critic-starring-ian-mckellen-lands-on-netflix/) The music is by Craig Armstrong, with cinematography by David Higgs, editing by Beverley Mills, production design by Lucienne Suren, and costume design by Claire Finlay-Thompson.[12](https://www.westendtheatre.com/348569/news/west-end-movie-the-critic-starring-ian-mckellen-lands-on-netflix/) Tucker said in interviews that he had worked with cinematographer David Higgs for over a decade.[13](https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Interview-its-the-hustle-thats-the-biggest-training-Director-Anand-Tucker-on-THE-CRITIC-20240912)\n\nThe [British Board of Film Classification](https://www.edgepedia.org/british-board-of-film-classification) classified the film for cinema release on August 14, 2024, with a running time of 101 minutes and 10 seconds, citing content including strong language, sex references, scenes of implicitly criticized historical homophobia and racism, sexual threat, and an off-screen suicide.[1](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-critic-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdiymtqx) The Irish Film Classification Office gave it a 15A certificate on August 15, 2024, noting strong language and sex references and suicide and discrimination themes.[5](https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/36898E28004A8C34)\n\n## Release\n\nThe film premiered at the [Toronto International Film Festival](https://www.edgepedia.org/toronto-international-film-festival) on September 7, 2023, and later screened at other festivals, including a British and Irish Film Festival screening in New Zealand in October 2023 and the British Film Festival in Australia in November 2023.[4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13457790/releaseinfo/) It reached cinemas in the UK and Ireland on September 13, 2024, distributed by Lionsgate, and opened in the United States the same day through Greenwich Entertainment.[5](https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/36898E28004A8C34) • [6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_critic_2023)\n\nAt the box office it earned $449,020 domestically (13.4 percent of its total) and $2,895,768 internationally, for a worldwide total of $3,344,788, with a domestic opening of $176,563.[14](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt13457790/credits/) It later reached streaming services: in the United States it streams on Starz and its channel variants and free on Kanopy, while in the UK it arrived on Netflix in 2026, roughly a year and a half after its cinema release.[15](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-critic-2024) • [12](https://www.westendtheatre.com/348569/news/west-end-movie-the-critic-starring-ian-mckellen-lands-on-netflix/)\n\n## Reception\n\nOn the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer, which measures the percentage of approved critics giving a positive review, the film holds 51 percent based on 94 reviews, with 48 fresh and 46 rotten and an average rating of 5.90 out of 10; the audience Popcornmeter stands at 64 percent.[6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_critic_2023) Metacritic assigned a Metascore of 54, labeled mixed or average, based on 24 critic reviews: 10 positive, 13 mixed, and 1 negative.[7](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-critic/critic-reviews/)\n\nReviewers consistently singled out McKellen's performance even when criticizing the film. The critics consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reads, \"Everyone's a critic, and Ian McKellen is better than most at playing one, but even his character would give this rote melodrama a so-so review.\"[6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_critic_2023) Time Out's Phil de Semlyen called the film a period misfire but praised \"a wonderfully vinegary McKellen giving full value to screenwriter Patrick Marber's juicy putdowns and catty asides.\"[2](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-critic-review-2024) The Washington Post's Ty Burr wrote that at 85, McKellen \"doesn't have many performances left in him, so any movie that lets the actor carve ham with such exuberant relish as 'The Critic' is worth his time and ours.\"[7](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-critic/critic-reviews/) Nell Minow of RogerEbert.com wrote that \"McKellen is the reason to see 'The Critic.'\"[7](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-critic/critic-reviews/) Variety's Joe Leydon described the film as \"a heady brew of period thriller, compelling melodrama and jet-black comedy,\" noting how seamlessly the elements gel.[7](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-critic/critic-reviews/) More negative assessments included The Associated Press's judgment that the premise of a theater critic as tyrant is juicy but the film cannot live up to the promise.[7](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-critic/critic-reviews/)\n\n## References\n\n1. [The Critic, British Board of Film Classification](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-critic-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdiymtqx)\n2. [The Critic review, Time Out (Phil de Semlyen, 12 September 2024)](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-critic-review-2024)\n3. [The Critic, Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-critic/umc.cmc.6y5rs8i1tgor249ti6c1iun2w)\n4. [The Critic (2023) release info, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13457790/releaseinfo/)\n5. [The Critic, Irish Film Classification Office](https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/36898E28004A8C34)\n6. [The Critic (2023), Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_critic_2023)\n7. [The Critic critic reviews, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-critic/critic-reviews/)\n8. [Interview with Anand Tucker about The Critic, Eye For Film (Paul Risker, 14 September 2024)](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature/2024-09-14-interview-with-anand-tucker-about-the-critic-feature-story-by-paul-risker)\n9. [The Critic, Sony Pictures Australia](https://www.sonypictures.com.au/movies/critic)\n10. [Film Notes: The Critic, Langley Filmbox (April 2025)](https://langleyfilmbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/250417FilmboxFilmNotesTheCritic.pdf)\n11. [The Critic review, The Independent (Clarisse Loughrey, 12 September 2024)](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/the-critic-ian-mckellen-review-b2611046.html)\n12. [The Critic starring Ian McKellen lands on Netflix, West End Theatre (9 April 2026)](https://www.westendtheatre.com/348569/news/west-end-movie-the-critic-starring-ian-mckellen-lands-on-netflix/)\n13. [Interview: Director Anand Tucker on THE CRITIC, BroadwayWorld (12 September 2024)](https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Interview-its-the-hustle-thats-the-biggest-training-Director-Anand-Tucker-on-THE-CRITIC-20240912)\n14. [The Critic (2023), Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt13457790/credits/)\n15. [The Critic streaming, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-critic-2024)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Crime, thriller, and mystery films (individual works) › 2023–2024 films*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/the-critic-2024-film", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/the-critic-2024-film.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"The Critic (2024 film)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/the-critic-2024-film. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[The Critic (2024 film)](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-critic-2024-film)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/the-critic-2024-film](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-critic-2024-film). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"The Critic (2024 film)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/the-critic-2024-film. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "The Critic is a 2024 British period crime drama directed by Anand Tucker, in which Ian McKellen plays a feared 1930s London theater critic protecting his career." }