Netflix has added a 'breathtaking' crime thriller that is perfect for fans of ITV's latest espionage drama, Secret Service. The 2023 film, titled The Critic, stars Gemma Arterton, who also leads ITV's Secret Service as MI5 officer Kate Henderson.
While viewers await the third episode of Secret Service, airing on Sunday, May 3, they can now watch Arterton in The Critic. The film is set in the 1930s and follows young actress Nina Land, played by Arterton, who is drawn into a dangerous blackmail scheme by the 'vicious and feared' theatre critic Jimmy Erskine, portrayed by Ian McKellen.
Described as a tale of 'blackmail, murder and high-stakes manipulation in the theatre world,' The Critic is based on Anthony Quinn's 2015 novel Curtain Call. The film has garnered a dedicated following even before its release three years ago.
Viewer Reactions
Viewers have praised the film, with one asking, 'How can these little gems sneak under the radar?' Another IMDb user called it 'a most colourful, but also dark and foggy production about success, secrets and death.' Others described it as a 'breathtaking piece of filmmaking' with 'superb casting and a devilish plot.'
A fan commented: 'It is a beautifully crafted film, full of nuances and subtleties that combine with a good script and technical finesse to offer a quietly compelling film. Suspend your expectations of what a film should be, sit back and relish one of the finest films of recent years.'
Cast and Availability
Alongside Arterton and McKellen, the film features Alfred Enoch, Ben Barnes, Lesley Manville, and Paapa Essiedu. The Critic is now available to stream on Netflix.
