Those familiar with the dynamic between Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi in "Vicious" will likely recognize the pattern for Erskine, the sharp-tongued theatre critic portrayed by McKellen. His character is known more for his scathing remarks than praise. The newspaper’s new owner (Mark Strong) aims to broaden its appeal to a family audience, requesting that Erskine soften his approach. He dismisses this suggestion, and subsequently finds himself in legal trouble, leading to his dismissal. Confronted with potential disgrace, he decides to investigate the seemingly impeccable reputation of the newspaper's aristocratic owner, enlisting the help of aspiring actress Nina (Gemma Arterton), whom he has previously criticized. Somewhat naively, she agrees to participate in his scheme, which spirals into a series of unfortunate events culminating in a tragedy that perhaps provides some context for the role of the opinionated grump. The film initially offers amusement with McKellen’s characteristic wit and acidity, but it quickly devolves into an implausible and rather disheartening story that embraces clichés, demonstrating how the most appealing aspects are showcased in the promotional materials. Occasionally, the script elicits smiles and a degree of discomfort, yet for the majority of its runtime, the plot is predictable with characters who are difficult to connect with—with the possible exception of Alfred Enoch’s assistant "Tom," who initially displays some measure of compassion to offset Erskine's self-centeredness. Ben Barnes appears to be maturing gracefully, but his role lacks substance to allow for character development, and Strong’s performance is unremarkable. The film boasts impressive visuals, but it leans too heavily on a sensational element that feels unoriginal and diminishes quickly.

Source on TMDB