Dir. Anand Tucker
2023 | 95 mins | UK
Gemma Arterton, Ian McKellen, Lesley Manville

Showing Times

• Fri 18 Oct: 2pm
• Mon 21 Oct: 2pm + 5.45pm CANCELLED – Sorry for any inconvenience caused
• Wed 23 Oct: 2pm + 5.45pm
• Thu 24 Oct: 5.45pm

Ian McKellen and Gemma Arterton star in a suspenseful tale of theatre world ambition and deceit.

1936: Fascism is rising in London. Known for his merciless takedowns of actors like Nina (Arterton), acerbic critic and gay man Jimmy (McKellen) faces being fired by his editor David (Mark Strong) for his extravagant prose and his personal life. As the Blackshirts take to the streets and anti-queer police raids begin, Jimmy uses Nina and David’s own desires to concoct a plot to save himself.

Brimming with intrigue, scripted by Patrick Marber (Notes on a Scandal) and directed by Anand Tucker (Hilary and Jackie), The Critic is a scintillating thriller about adversaries taking desperate measures, with a terrific cast including Lesley Manville, Ben Barnes and Romola Garai.

BBFC Rating

Rated 15 – strong language