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).
In 1936, David Brooke (Mark Strong) tries to revive London's Chronicle, targeting theatre critic Jimmy Erksine (McKellen) for his extravagant prose and personal "proclivities." Erksine's merciless critiques often focus on actor Nina Land (Arterton), whom David secretly loves. As pressure mounts, Jimmy plots to entrap both David and Nina, but his scheme risks unraveling amid anti-queer police raids and Blackshirt rallies.
Directed by Anand Tucker and adapted by Patrick Marber from Anthony Quinn’s novel Curtain Call, The Critic is a gripping story of blackmail, desire, and survival.