Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

The Critic

Play trailer 2:23 Poster for The Critic R Released Sep 13 1h 34m Mystery & Thriller Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
49% Tomatometer 89 Reviews 67% 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

Where to Watch

The Critic

The Critic

What to Know

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

Critics Reviews

View All (89) Critics Reviews
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 Donald Clarke Irish Times By the close, one is left befuddled. Is this a tragedy? Is this a comedy? Is it a moral fable? Cruelty to Homo criticus is the least of its problems. Rated: 3/5 Sep 28, 2024 Full Review Ben Turner The Pink Lens A catty script cannot save a straight-forward story that's as predictable as a wet British February. Rated: 3/5 Dec 1, 2024 Full Review James Croot Stuff.co.nz If you’ve been lamenting the lack of British period dramas with an edge, in these modern, seemingly somewhat sanitised cinematic times, then take this critic’s advice and rush along to a theatre near you. Rated: 4.5/5 Nov 3, 2024 Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Though a darkish final act possibly overcomplicates a simple comeuppance for a certain character, McKellen’s gilt-edged gift of the gab shines brightly throughout. Rated: 3/5 Oct 9, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (92) audience 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
The Critic

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

The Wasp 74% 71% The Wasp Watchlist TRAILER for The Wasp Cat Person 46% 45% 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

Movie Info

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
BKStudios, Culmination Productions
Rating
R (Sexual Content|Some Language)
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