--- title: "Boiling Point" year: 2021 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/boiling-point" fi1m_id: "boiling-point" imdb_id: "tt11127680" tmdb_id: 807196 wikidata_id: "Q109284828" fi1m_score: 77 critics_score: 74 critics_reviews: 15 published: "2026-09-30" updated: "2026-09-30T21:26:01.702926+00:00" region: "US" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Boiling Point (2021) Directed by Philip Barantini · 1h 32m · MPA R · Drama, Thriller ## Identity Boiling Point - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/boiling-point - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** boiling-point - **IMDb ID:** tt11127680 - **TMDB ID:** 807196 - **Wikidata ID:** Q109284828 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11127680/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/807196, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109284828 **Fi1m score: 77** · Critics 74 from 15 reviews *In a sentence:* Ninety minutes in a kitchen where the only thing not on fire is the food > Philip Barantini’s single-take kitchen drama is as tense as its reputation, and Stephen Graham and Vinette Robinson are the reason. The script keeps adding crises it does not need, and the last stretch tips into melodrama, but the shift itself is worth sitting through. ## Synopsis It is the Friday before Christmas, the busiest night of the year, at a restaurant in east London. Head chef Andy Jones (Stephen Graham) arrives late, on the phone to his son and apologising, and walks straight into a hygiene inspection that knocks the restaurant’s rating from five to three. Beth (Alice May Feetham) has taken far too many bookings. Sous chef Carly (Vinette Robinson) is running the kitchen and covering for Andy in ways he has stopped noticing. Emily (Hannah Walters) holds the pastry section. Andrea (Lauryn Ajufo), a young waitress, draws a table that wants to make her evening difficult. Then Alastair Skye (Jason Flemyng), a celebrity chef and Andy’s old boss, arrives for dinner with the critic Sara Southworth (Lourdes Faberes), and the service has to run, start to finish, without a break. ## Review Andy Jones (Stephen Graham) is head chef at a restaurant in east London on the Friday before Christmas, and *Boiling Point* is one service there, ninety-two minutes long, filmed in a single continuous take. Philip Barantini directs and wrote it with James Cummings. It is a good film about work under pressure, with a lead performance we would happily watch again tomorrow, and it also has a script that keeps piling things onto the pass until we could see the writers’ hands. We recommend it, with that reservation. Barantini’s one continuous take is doing real work. Matthew Lewis carries the camera from the kitchen to the dining room and back, following a plate, then a waitress, then a bin bag, and the film gets its rhythm from that circuit: every time the doors swing we cross from a room where people are shouting to one where people are being charmed. There is no cut to hide behind and no cut to rest in. Alex Fountain is credited as editor; if there are joins, we did not find them. Graham plays Andy as a man who has been behind since he woke up. He arrives on the phone to his son, apologising. He walks into a hygiene inspection he has not prepared for and watches his rating drop from five to three because the paperwork he promised to do is not done. He has not slept, or not much. We spent the first twenty minutes hunched forward wanting him to sit down, and the feeling did not fade, because Graham keeps the sweat and the shaking hands going without ever asking us to admire them. When he finally raises his voice it is at the wrong person, as it usually is. Vinette Robinson’s Carly, the sous chef, is running the kitchen while Andy runs from it, and Robinson does something harder than Graham: she plays competence, which is not showy, and lets us see what it costs. She has one scene alone with Andy where she says what she has been thinking for months, and for those two minutes the film stops being a thriller and becomes a film about how much a good employee will forgive. Around her, Alice May Feetham’s Beth has taken too many bookings and knows it. Hannah Walters holds pastry together. Lauryn Ajufo’s Andrea, a young waitress, draws the table that wants to be rude to her, and the scene in which she has to stand there and take it is the plainest in the film and one of its best. Then Jason Flemyng arrives as Alastair Skye, a chef off the television with silver hair and a smile that means he wants something, and Lourdes Faberes as Sara Southworth, a critic, at his side. Flemyng is good, but this is where the writing begins to show. Every table in the place has a crisis: a proposal, an influencer, a critic to impress, a man who wants his steak well done with chips. Real kitchens have bad nights, but this one has been booked by a screenwriter. Several of the confrontations are written as speeches and delivered in the walk-in fridge, the only place in the building quiet enough to hear them. The last quarter of an hour takes a turn we will not describe. It is the part most critics were unsure about and we are with them: the film has spent seventy-five minutes earning its tension honestly, through timing and faces, and then reaches for something bigger and less true. Aaron May and David Ridley’s score, absent for most of the film, comes in here and tells us how to feel, which by then we did not need. Aimee Meek’s kitchen is a real kitchen: no room to pass behind someone without a hand on their back, a pass barely wider than the plates on it. Karen Smyth’s whites start clean and do not stay so. The single take suits a restaurant service better than it suits most subjects, [*Victoria*](https://film.one/film/victoria) included, because neither can be paused. That is one of the few ideas in *Boiling Point* the film does not say out loud. Eat before you watch it. You will not want to afterwards, and you will be kinder to whoever brings your food for at least a week. *Fi1m score 77, published 30 September 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics are won over, and the praise clusters in two places. The first is the single continuous take, which the reviews credit with most of the film’s tension: the camera follows one frantic shift in a restaurant kitchen without a cut, and the anxiety builds because it never lets up. The second is Stephen Graham as the chef, whom nearly every review singles out, with Vinette Robinson named nearly as often. The reservations fall on the writing rather than the filming. Several critics find the subplots contrived and the second half strained, and more than one says the ending does not quite land. The spread is narrow, with most sitting between warm and enthusiastic. The one clear dissent comes from The Wrap, which calls the film an admirable misfire and argues the one-take approach undermines its strengths, while Deadline is cooler, finding the uninterrupted shot at times closer to technical showmanship than storytelling. ## Straight answers **Is Boiling Point worth watching?** *Boiling Point* is worth watching for anyone who can sit through ninety-two minutes of sustained pressure, and we scored it 77. Stephen Graham and Vinette Robinson are the reason to see it, and the single continuous take earns its tension honestly for most of the film. The script keeps adding crises it does not need, and the last quarter of an hour tips into melodrama. **How long is Boiling Point, and what is it rated?** *Boiling Point* runs 1h 32m and is rated R by the MPA in the US. It is a drama and thriller film. **Where can I watch Boiling Point in the US?** *Boiling Point* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel and Tubi in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from $2.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How violent or frightening is Boiling Point, and is it suitable for children?** *Boiling Point* is a UK 15, and the certificate is about language, stress and adult behaviour rather than violence or fear. It is a kitchen drama, not a horror film: the tension comes from shouting, sweat, exhaustion and a service falling apart, with a late turn we will not describe. It is not for younger children, but older teenagers who can take strong language will be fine. **How does Boiling Point compare to Victoria?** *Boiling Point* is the tighter of the two, and the more anxious. [*Victoria*](https://film.one/film/victoria) is a Berlin night that rambles for its first hour before turning into a crime film we have seen before, carried by Laia Costa; *Boiling Point* is one restaurant service, and the single take suits a kitchen better, because a service cannot be paused either. Choose *Victoria* for the longer, looser night, *Boiling Point* for the pressure. **What should I watch after Boiling Point?** After *Boiling Point*, try [*Victoria*](https://film.one/film/victoria) (2015, Fi1m 76): Berlin, one night, one take, and a robbery nobody in it has planned properly. Then [*Uncut Gems*](https://film.one/film/uncut-gems) (2019, Fi1m 85): Another man juggling debts, phones and bad decisions while everyone shouts at once; and [*Big Night*](https://film.one/film/big-night) (1996, Fi1m 84): Two brothers cook one enormous dinner to save their failing New Jersey restaurant. ### Reviews we read (15) - **The i Paper**, Christina Newland (90/100, inferred): Newland finds the film a tense, emotionally taxing gem, powered by its one-take construction. She especially praises Stephen Graham’s piercingly compelling and vulnerable performance. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/boiling-point-review-stephen-graham-is-piercingly-compelling-in-this-remarkable-one-take-thrill-1386350) - **Los Angeles Times**, Gary Goldstein (85/100, inferred): Goldstein finds the film an exhilarating, expertly choreographed workplace drama that sustains its momentum through a final turn. He especially praises the single-take cinematography and Vinette Robinson’s performance. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-11-17/review-one-take-boiling-point-goes-behind-the-breakneck-scenes-of-a-restaurant) - **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (4/5): O'Sullivan finds the film tense but ultimately satisfying. She particularly praises Stephen Graham’s technically assured performance and the cast’s compelling work. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/boiling-point-film-review-stephen-graham-london-restaurant-b975173.html) - **Little White Lies**, Jack King (2/4/4): King finds the film gripping and impressive overall, though its ending does not quite land. He praises Vignette Robinson’s performance and the film’s breathless one-shot energy. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/boiling-point) - **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (4/5): The review finds the one-take drama gripping and anxiety-inducing. It praises Stephen Graham’s performance as a chef on the edge. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/boiling-point-2021) - **Sight and Sound**, BFI (78/100, inferred): The review finds the film an exhilarating, virtuoso achievement despite some strained writing in its second half. It especially praises the continuous-shot choreography and the authentic ensemble performances, particularly Stephen Graham and Vinette Robinson. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/boiling-point-captures-chefs-night-from-hell-filmed-one-continuous-shot) - **Empire**, Nick de Semlyen (75/100, inferred): The review finds the film a bold, largely gripping experiment, though its third act and some subplots disappoint. It praises the immersive one-take approach and Stephen Graham’s powerhouse performance. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/boiling-point-2022/) - **Variety**, Guy Lodge (75/100, inferred): Lodge finds the film gripping despite some contrived subplots and an overworked attempt to bring them together. He especially praises Stephen Graham and Vinette Robinson’s performances and the momentum of the continuous-take filmmaking. [Read](https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/boiling-point-review-1235049897/) - **Screen Daily**, Neil Young (70/100, inferred): The review presents the film as an accomplished one-shot drama. It singles out the busy restaurant setting and the film’s one-shot approach. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/boiling-point-karlovy-vary-review/5162630.article) - **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (70/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds the film energetic and gripping, though some arguments feel too stagey. He especially praises Stephen Graham’s potent performance and affecting ending. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/aug/25/boiling-point-review-stephen-graham-serves-up-potent-performance-in-restaurant-drama) - **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The review’s verdict cannot be determined because the article is inaccessible. Its praise or complaints are likewise unavailable. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/movies/boiling-point-review.html) - **Eye for Film**, Amber Wilkinson (80/100, inferred): Wilkinson finds the film’s single-take approach an effective source of mounting tension. She particularly praises the ensemble performances and the precise staging of the restaurant’s frantic shift. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/boiling-point-2020-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson) - **The Skinny**, Beatrice Copland (★★★★): Copland finds the film feverish and effective at sustaining anxiety. She praises the precise camera work and its continuous-shot feel, which gives the action the excitement of live theatre. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/boiling-point-2021) - **Deadline**, Todd McCarthy (60/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film tense and immersive, though its contrived crises and uninterrupted take sometimes feel more like technical showmanship than storytelling. He praises the camera’s graceful movement and Graham’s convincing portrayal of a chef nearing burnout. [Read](https://deadline.com/2021/11/boiling-point-film-review-international-critics-line-1234877659/) - **The Wrap** (35/100, inferred): The critic calls the film an admirable misfire, with its one-take approach ultimately undermining its strengths. They praise Vinette Robinson’s performance and the scene exposing disrespect and inequity in restaurant work. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/boiling-point-review-stephen-graham-philip-barantini/) ## Details - **Director:** Philip Barantini - **Director:** Philip Barantini - **Writer:** James Cummings, Philip Barantini - **Cinematography:** Matthew Lewis - **Editor:** Alex Fountain - **Music:** Aaron May, David Ridley - **Production design:** Aimee Meek - **Costume design:** Karen Smyth - **Producer:** Bart Ruspoli, Hester Ruoff - **Cast:** Stephen Graham as Andy Jones; Vinette Robinson as Carly; Alice May Feetham as Beth; Jason Flemyng as Alastair Skye; Hannah Walters as Emily; Malachi Kirby as Tony; Izuka Hoyle as Camille; Taz Skylar as Billy - **Runtime:** 1h 32m - **Certificate (MPA):** R - **Release (the US):** 19 November 2021 - **Genres:** Drama, Thriller - **Box office:** $1 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX8J7_7_rLw ## Where to watch in the US - Amazon Prime Video: streaming - The Roku Channel: free, hd - Tubi: free, hd - Amazon Prime Video: rent $2.99, sd - Apple TV: rent $4.99, hd - Apple TV: buy $9.99, sd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $9.99, sd *Checked 2026-09-30.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, IE, IT, JP, KR, MX, NL, NZ, PA, SE, TR, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *Victoria* (2015), Fi1m 76: Berlin, one night, one take, and a robbery nobody in it has planned properly — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/victoria.md) - *Uncut Gems* (2019), Fi1m 85: Another man juggling debts, phones and bad decisions while everyone shouts at once — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/uncut-gems.md) - *Big Night* (1996), Fi1m 84: Two brothers cook one enormous dinner to save their failing New Jersey restaurant — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/big-night.md) - *Locke* (2013), Fi1m 82: Tom Hardy in a car for ninety minutes, wrecking his life one call at a time — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/locke.md) - *Dinner Rush* (2000): A Tribeca restaurant on one busy night, with gangsters and critics at neighbouring tables --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/boiling-point