Ian McKellen is a feared theatrical critic in a new murder mystery movie, The Critic, which releases in U.K. theatres September 13—and the reviews are out. Watch a trailer for the movie above, and see what critics think of The Critic below.
Written by Patrick Marber and directed by Anand Tucker, the thriller is set in 1930s London, following vicious theatre reviewer Jimmy Erskine (McKellen) as he finds himself suddenly in the cross hairs of the Daily Chronicle’s new owner. He strikes a sinister Faustian pact with a struggling actress who is desperate to win his favor. McKellen is joined in the cast by Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong, Ben Barnes, Alfred Enoch, Romola Garai, and Lesley Manville.
Read the reviews below.
Austin Chronicle (Kimberley Jones)
Irish Independent (Hilary White)
The Jewish Chronicle (John Nathan)
The New York Times (Ben Kenigsberg)*
Quad-City Times (Sean Gleason)
Richard Crouse (Richard Crouse)
The Washington Post (Ty Burr)*
*This review may require creating a free account or a paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
READ: Update: McKellen Isn't Returning to Player Kings Following Onstage Fall
Bill Kenwright and Jolyon Symonds produce the film, which is based on Anthony Quinn’s Curtain Call novel.
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