FONYMAHONEY

Ugh. I hated this. I mean - probably didn't go in with an open enough mind, I kinda knew I'd hate it because I hate it's very existence - sort of how I used to feel about the (inferior to the original) US office.

Tim Key is hilarious, but he's absolutely squandered here - he's never shown much in the ways of range as an actor, but as a comic he typically elevates every single thing he's in by sheer presence. Except this. It's like they clipped his wings, but that's America for you - everything on TV has to be massively infantilised.

I would say don't waste your time, but if you've made it this far - odds are you already have. Not funny enough, not clever enough - not good enough. Lazy.

The book was decent. This film is laughably naff, with some of the soapiest acting I've seen from award winners in all my years watching film.

Pierce Brosnan - like yeah he's a good looking older guy. But he's never been a good actor. Ever. Like, comically bad (seen Taffin?) but people are shallow - and thusly, so is this film.

Bad writing. Almost as if the script was written by someone who's never read the book, just read the Wikipedia article. I get this isn't for the likes of me - I can't abide anything where the acting isn't grounded with a sense of realism. One of my many neurodivergent traits. But THIS was a criminal waste of some pretty good source material - it's as if it wasn't made with actual Brits in mind, purely geared towards Americans and their obsession with celebrity over talent and bombast over subtlety.

Hated it. Gave it a 4 cos it's still a good story - they couldn't ruin that, even if it seems like they really tried to. Richard Osman needs to be more discerning with who handles his work in future.

Infinitely better than most of the horror releases this century so far, but within the last 5-10 years we've been enjoying a particular purple patch in the genre, especially in contrast to all the comic book remakes dominating cineplex's.

Arguably, within this renaissance - this is one of the weaker theatrical offerings (it doesn't hold a light to Midsommar or Late Night With The Devil), and it's more funny/ridiculous than not - but properly funny, and properly gloriously ridiculous.

Theo James further cementing his spot as the best British actor around right now - he's so perfect for Bond but as a fan of his staggering range, I kinda hope he gives it a miss and keeps delivering us treats like this.

Osgood Perkins is a real dark horse - from legally blonde to two horror bangers in under a year. What a talent. Could maybe use a collaborator to expand on the premises, though.