'

The Critic

Play trailer

2:23

The Critic

R

Released Sep 13, 2024

1h 34m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

93 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Academy Award Nominee Sir Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings, The Good Liar) stars as a powerful London theater critic who lures a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme with deadly consequences. A suspenseful thriller co-starring Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace), Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Lesley Manville (Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Joe Leydon

Variety

Ian McKellen balances desperation and laughs in this splendid mix of bitchy mirth and melodrama.

Jan 14, 2025

Full Review

Stephen Romei

The Australian

It’s entertaining throughout, especially for McKellen’s acerbic performance, even if it becomes a tad over-theatrical towards the end.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 8, 2024

Full Review

Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

The Critic never quite comes together: there’s something wonky about the structure, as if Marber had given up halfway on the challenge of reshaping his source material, Anthony Quinn’s 2015 novel Curtain Call.

Rated: 2.5/5

Oct 3, 2024

Full Review

Jorge Ignacio Castillo

The Canadian Crew

Outside McKellen and Mark Strong's performances, the writing is also worth your attention...As thinking movies go, this one is serviceable, if not memorable.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 15, 2025

Full Review

Patrick Cremona

Radio Times

Still, it's a joy to see one of our finest actors sink his teeth into a meaty role.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 30, 2025

Full Review

Brian Bromberger

Bay Area Reporter

McKellen was born to play this role as he imbues Jimmy with an ice-cold heart and an acid tongue.

Rated: B-

Dec 24, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

fran k

Incredible performance by Ian Mckellan playing a totally despicable character. Engrossing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/21/24

Full Review

Denise T

Ian McKellan is simply sinister in this film. Storyline fails a bit but the acting is good.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/20/24

Full Review

Milo W

Smart, classy thriller. Strong performances. McKellen was excellent. Highly recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/18/24

Full Review

Bernard S

Liked actors and story

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/17/24

Full Review

Sue

Wonderful acting, every actor involved is excellent, interesting story line, amazing sets

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

Full Review

Flicka

As expected, Mr. McKellen was fantastic and the best part of this movie. There were heartbreaking scenes and pieces that make you think, but doesn't need to be seen in theatres. Not the best movie in the world, but worth watching once for a lesson in excellent acting. The direction was a bit distracting with so much focus on eyelashes instead of full faces, but maybe that is just my personal preference.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/15/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Anand Tucker

Director

Ian McKellen

Jimmy Erskine

Gemma Arterton

Nina Land

Mark Strong

David Brooke

Lesley Manville

Annabel Land

Ben Barnes

Stephen Wyley

The Wasp

76%

71%

The Wasp

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Wasp

Cat Person

46%

44%

Cat Person

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Cat Person

Infidel

58%

86%

Infidel

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Infidel

Eileen

82%

53%

Eileen

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Eileen

God's Country

88%

50%

God's Country

Watchlist

TRAILER

for God's Country

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Critic: Trailer 1

2:23

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Academy Award Nominee Sir Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings, The Good Liar) stars as a powerful London theater critic who lures a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme with deadly consequences. A suspenseful thriller co-starring Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace), Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Lesley Manville (Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris).

Director: Anand Tucker
Producer: David Gilbery, Bill Kenwright, Jolyon Symonds
Screenwriter: Patrick Marber
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Production Co: Culmination Productions, BKStudios
Rating: R (Some Language|Sexual Content)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 13, 2024, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 29, 2024
Runtime: 1h 34m

Most Popular at Home Now