The first word is in on Johnny Depp's Scrooge. Early reactions to Ebenezer, Ti West's dark reimagining of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, have hit social media ahead of the Paramount film's Nov. 13 theatrical release, JoBlo reported.
The role is Depp's first major Hollywood lead since his highly publicized legal battle with Amber Heard.
What critics are saying
Most early reactions praise Depp's performance and the film's gothic, horror-leaning approach to the familiar story. JoBlo's critic called it a layered Depp performance and his favorite from the actor in years, while noting the film can turn cartoonish. Others singled out the visuals, the embrace of horror and the redemption arc in the finale, with one calling it among the more faithful Dickens adaptations.
Not everyone was won over. Some found the story familiar territory, and one reaction was sharply negative, crediting only the production design and score.
West, best known for the horror films Pearl and MaXXXine, directs from a screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern. The cast includes Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit, Andrea Riseborough as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Tramell Tillman as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Ian McKellen as Jacob Marley, Sam Claflin as Fred, Daisy Ridley as Clara, Ellie Bamber as Belle and Arthur Conti as young Ebenezer.
Cup of Soul talked with Tillman about the film. Read the interview here.
