Jimmy Erskine is the most feared theatre critic of the age. He lives as flamboyantly as he writes and takes pleasure in savagely taking down any actor who fails to meet his standards. When the owner of the Daily Chronicle dies, and his son takes over, Jimmy quickly finds himself at odds with his new boss and his position under threat. In an attempt to preserve the power and influence he holds so sacred, Jimmy strikes a Faustian pact with a struggling actress, entangling them and the boss in a thrilling but deadly web of desire, blackmail, and betrayal.
Acting
McKellen devours scenery like a starving critic at opening night
Costume
Silk robes and cigarette holders that scream 'commit the crime, serve the look'
Production
1930s London so lush you can practically smell the gin and desperation
Director
Anand Tucker
Ian McKellen
Jimmy Erskine
Gemma Arterton
Nina Land
Mark Strong
David Brooke
Lesley Manville
Annabel Land
Ben Barnes
Stephen Wyley
Romola Garai
Cora Wyley
Alfred Enoch
Tom Tunner
Ron Cook
Hugh Morris
Claire Skinner
Mary Brooke
Matthew Cottle
Graham Meadows
Beau Gadsdon
Freya
Nikesh Patel
Ferdy Harwood
Rebecca Gethings
Joan
Éva Magyar
Dolly Langdon
Jay Simpson
Slyfield
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based loosely on real critic James Agate, whose diaries scandalized 1930s London theatre society.
The film quietly explores how queer men weaponized scandal and secrecy when homosexuality was criminalized.
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