What Is The Critic About?
The premise of The Critic in 290 words, with nothing given away. The full story and the ending follow below.
In the smoky heart of 1934 London, the theatre district pulsates with ambition, rivalry, and the clatter of typewriters. Newspapers vie for the next headline, while playwrights and performers chase the fleeting applause that can turn a career into legend. Within this bustling milieu, the power of the pen is felt as keenly as the echo of a curtain call, and the opinions of a single critic can shape fortunes overnight.
Jimmy Erskine commands that pen with a razor‑sharp authority, his reviews celebrated and feared in equal measure. As the chief theatre critic for a prominent tabloid now overseen by Viscount David Brooke, he navigates a delicate balance between artistic integrity and the expectations of a media empire eager for sensationalism. His caustic wit and uncompromising standards have made him a cultural force, but they also leave a trail of bruised egos and whispered resentment.
Enter Nina Land, a bright but unsettled actress whose talent burns hotter than the opportunities she finds. Drawn to Erskine’s promise of acclaim, she becomes the focal point of a subtle, high‑stakes maneuver that threatens to blur the line between mentorship and manipulation. Meanwhile, Tom Turner, Erskine’s trusted secretary and confidant, watches the unfolding tension from the shadows, aware that the critic’s influence extends far beyond the printed page.
Against this backdrop of theatrical grandeur and private ambition, the characters find themselves caught in a perilous web of deceit. Each choice reverberates through the glittering but unforgiving world of London’s stages, hinting at consequences that could shatter reputations and lives. The atmosphere is thick with intrigue, as power, desire, and the quest for artistic validation collide, leaving the audience to wonder just how far one will go when the spotlight reveals both brilliance and darkness.
What Happens in The Critic?
The complete story of The Critic, from the first scene to the last, in 262 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In 1934 London, Ian McKellen plays Jimmy Erskine, the sharp, vitriolic theatre critic for The Daily Chronicle, a tabloid now owned by Viscount David Brooke after his father’s death. Erskine relishes panning plays that fail to meet his exacting standards, even as Brooke begs him to temper his barbs and maintain a veneer of civility in the fickle world of London theater.
When Erskine and his secretary and lover Alfred Enoch as Tom Turner are arrested for homosexuality, Brooke dismisses him and many other older staff members. Seizing the opportunity for revenge, Erskine hatches a plan, recruiting Gemma Arterton as Nina Land, a young actress who Brooke already loves, to lure him in exchange for future glowing reviews. The scheme hinges on manipulating power, desire, and reputation within the paper and the theatre world it covers.
Nina’s seduction becomes a dangerous hinge point: Brooke discovers that Land is also the lover of Stephen Wyley, his son-in-law, played by Ben Barnes. The revelations plunge the plot into a reckless spiral, and Brooke’s turmoil ends with a fatal act of despair as he takes his own life.
Driven by guilt, Nina—drunk on the sequence of events—visits Erskine, who, fearing exposure, drowns her in a bath. Erskine then convinces Turner to help dispose of the body, and when the crime is discovered, Land is presumed to have committed suicide.
In the aftermath, Erskine is arrested and jailed, and Turner steps into the role of The Chronicle’s new theatre critic, reshaping the paper’s voice and sealing the downfall of the man who planted the ruinous plot.
The Critic Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Erskine's reign as theatre critic in 1934 London” to “Turner becomes The Chronicle's new theatre critic”. 12 events name a place, across 8 locations.
- 1
Erskine's reign as theatre critic in 1934 London
In 1934 London, Jimmy Erskine is the theatre critic for The Daily Chronicle. The paper is now owned by Viscount David Brooke after his father's death. Erskine revels in savage, vitriolic reviews that he believes uphold high standards, despite Brooke's pleas to soften his tone.
When:1934 Where:London
- 2
Arrest and dismissal of Erskine and Turner
Erskine and his secretary Tom Turner are arrested on charges of homosexuality. Brooke dismisses him and other aging staff in the wake of the scandal. The purge clears the way for new leadership at the Chronicle while igniting Erskine's vendetta.
When:1934 Where:The Daily Chronicle offices
- 3
Erskine lays a Faustian trap for Brooke
To exact revenge, Erskine recruits Nina Land, a young actress, into a Faustian plot. He convinces her to seduce Brooke, who already loves her, in exchange for future glowing reviews. The plan weaponizes Brooke's affection against him.
When:1934 Where:London
- 4
Nina Land seduces Brooke and deepens the trap
Nina Land begins her affair with Brooke, heightening his vulnerability to the plot. Brooke, consumed by love, becomes a pliable instrument in Erskine's scheme. The threat of ruin and renewed favor drives the manipulation forward.
When:1934 Where:Brooke's residence
- 5
Erskine blackmails Brooke into reinstating him
Using the emotional leverage, Erskine blackmails Brooke into restoring him to his old post. Brooke complies, hoping to regain control of his life and the paper's direction. The power shift cements Erskine's influence behind the scenes.
When:1934 Where:Brooke's residence / The Chronicle offices
- 6
Brooke's discovery and suicide
Brooke discovers that Land is also the lover of his son-in-law, Stephen Wyley. Overwhelmed by the double betrayal, he takes his own life. The theatre world and The Chronicle reel from this shocking consequence.
When:1934 Where:Brooke's residence
- 7
Nina Land's guilty withdrawal and murder by Erskine
Guilt consumes Nina Land after her role in the scheme, and she visits Erskine while drunk. Fearing exposure, Erskine drowns her in a bath to silence the truth. The murder further entangles the pair in a web of lies.
When:1934 Where:Erskine's home
- 8
Turner and Erskine dispose of Land's body
Erskine convinces Turner to help dispose of Land's body, moving the crime out of sight. When Land's death is discovered, it is treated as suicide rather than murder. The investigation tightens around Erskine and Turner.
When:1934 Where:undisclosed location
- 9
Turner contemplates confessing to the new owner
Turner goes to see The Chronicle's new owner, Brooke's daughter, and contemplates confessing his role. He weighs the risk of exposure against protecting others and preserving his career. The moral dilemma deepens as the net tightens.
When:1934 Where:The Chronicle offices
- 10
Turner confesses to the new owner
Turner explicitly confesses to the new owner, detailing the plot and the roles of Erskine and Land. The confession triggers investigations and marks the downfall of the conspirators. The Chronicle braces for a reckoning.
When:1934 Where:The Chronicle offices
- 11
Erskine is arrested and jailed
News of the confession reaches law enforcement, and Erskine is arrested and jailed for his central role in the scheme. The collapse of his career follows quickly as the press and public lose faith in him. The scandal ripples through The Chronicle and the literary world.
When:1934 Where:London police
- 12
Turner becomes The Chronicle's new theatre critic
With Erskine's arrest, Tom Turner steps into the vacancy left by the fallen critic. He accepts the role and begins writing for The Chronicle, now reeling from the scandal. Turner's ascent marks the start of a new era for the paper.
When:1934 Where:The Chronicle offices
Who Are the Main Characters in The Critic?
5 characters, among them Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen), David Brooke (Mark Strong) and Nina Land (Gemma Arterton): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen)
Played by Ian McKellen
An aging, sharp-tongued theatre critic who wields disproportionate influence at The Daily Chronicle. He relishes writing vitriolic reviews and pushing boundaries to provoke a reaction. His grudges and arrogance drive him to devise a revenge plot when he is dismissed. He is intelligent and calculating, yet morally compromised as the plan spirals out of control.
- 🧠 Intellectual
- 🎭 Dramatic
- 😈 Manipulative
-
David Brooke (Mark Strong)
Played by Mark Strong
A powerful newspaper owner who uses his wealth and status to control The Daily Chronicle's direction. He is decisive, protective of his own interests, and eager to maintain public image, even at others' expense. When he becomes entangled with Nina Land, his personal vulnerability surfaces and leads to a dramatic downfall. His hubris and fear of losing control drive the tragic arc.
- 💼 Powerful
- 🧠 Calculated
-
Nina Land (Gemma Arterton)
Played by Gemma Arterton
A young actress who becomes the instrument of Erskine's revenge by seducing Brooke. She is aware of the exploitative dynamics and torn between loyalty, desire, and ambition. Land becomes a pawn in a larger game of power, with her relationships entangling Brooke, Stephen Wyley, and Erskine. In a moment of guilt and despair, she drowns in a bath after visiting Erskine to prevent the truth from coming out.
- 💃 Seductive
- 💔 Guilty
- 🎭 Ambitious
- TT
Tom Turner (Alfred Enoch)
Played by Alfred Enoch
Secretary and lover of Erskine; a loyal assistant whose complicity deepens as the plot unfolds. He helps dispose of the body and becomes entangled in the cover-up, balancing fear, loyalty, and self-preservation. His actions are crucial to the execution and concealment of the scheme, highlighting how ordinary people can be drawn into dark schemes.
- 🧠 Calculated
- 🗝️ Secretive
-
Stephen Wyley (Ben Barnes)
Played by Ben Barnes
Brooke's son-in-law and Nina Land's lover, whose jealousy and passion thrust him into the central love triangle. His involvement complicates the power dynamics and intensifies the plot's moral stakes. Wyley's decisions reflect the dangerous entanglements of ambition, affection, and loyalty.
- 💘 Jealous
- 🧭 Complicated
- 🎭 Dramatic
Where and When Is The Critic Set?
The Critic is set in London and United Kingdom (1934). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1934
The events take place in 1934 London, during the interwar years when theatre thrived and sensational journalism reigned. A climate of conservative morality and legal scrutiny surrounds homosexuality, which propels key plot points. The era's social mores illuminate the characters' choices as ambition collides with consequence.
Where
London, United Kingdom
Set in 1934 London, the film unfolds against a bustling capital with a vibrant theatre scene and a powerful press culture. The Daily Chronicle anchors the story in a world where reviews can make or break careers. Foggy streets and smoky interiors contribute to a noir mood that suits schemes of manipulation and revenge.
- 🏙️ Urban
- 🎭 Theatre
- 🗞️ Media
What Are the Themes of The Critic?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Power, Betrayal and Media.
-
01
Power
David Brooke's control over The Daily Chronicle shows how wealth and status can shape public narratives. The film exposes how a media empire can be used as a tool for personal revenge and social leverage. Jimmy Erskine's scheming reveals power's seductive pull, and its brittleness when confronted with guilt. Brooke's final act exposes how power can collapse under its own pressures.
-
02
Betrayal
Erskine's plan hinges on deception, turning Nina Land into a pawn in a deadly game. Loyalties fracture as lovers and colleagues become instruments of manipulation. The cover-up deepens as Tom Turner helps dispose of the body, sealing a web of betrayal.
-
03
Media
The Chronicle's ownership and its sensational reviews drive the plot, showing how headlines can alter lives. The film portrays a press culture that rewards sensationalism over truth, at a steep human cost. Characters trade truth for page-time, illustrating the corrosive effects of media power.
How Does The Critic End?
The last act of The Critic and what it means, in 188 words. The ending lands as sad. Big spoilers: read the plot summary first if you have not seen it.
The final act, in full
Jimmy Erskine’s relentless pursuit of power and survival ultimately leads him down a dark and tragic path. Throughout the film, he manipulates those around him, using Nina to blackmail Brooke and desperately scheming to regain his position as a critic. His cunning extends to murdering Nina in a desperate act of self-preservation after she threatens to expose him, revealing his complete lack of remorse or humanity. The film concludes with Jimmy’s arrest, showing that his schemes catch up with him, but his character remains cold and unrepentant. Despite his downfall, Jimmy’s attitude underscores a nihilistic view that obsession with power and self-interest can lead to destruction. Meanwhile, Tom, who witnesses Jimmy’s heinous act, recognizes the depth of Jimmy’s moral corruption and chooses not to follow in his footsteps. Jimmy’s fate highlights the tragic consequences of obsession and moral decay, emphasizing that in the end, those who manipulate and kill for personal gain often end up alone and broken, even if they escape justice temporarily. The ending leaves viewers with a stark reflection on the corrupting influence of ambition and the destructive nature of an unfeeling obsession with self-preservation.
What Kind of Film Is The Critic?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Sad
A grim and steadily paced thriller set in 1930s London, it creates a tense and oppressive atmosphere as a powerful critic's manipulative scheme spirals into tragedy, deceit, and death.
- manipulative
- treacherous
- grim
- melancholic
- suspenseful
- oppressive
- blackmail
- revenge
- power and influence
- deceit
Content notes: suicide, murder, blackmail, homophobic persecution.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Critic? Test yourself on the story.
