--- title: "Elsinore: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/elsinore/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/elsinore" critics_score: 81 critics_reviews: 12 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." --- # Elsinore (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 81 from 12 reviews: 11 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find Elsinore deeply moving, and nearly all of the praise lands on Andrew Scott. Review after review singles out his performance as Ian Charleson, the actor preparing to play Hamlet while dying, as the film’s centre: raw, physically vulnerable and layered, particularly in the Hamlet scenes and in the scene where he tells his parents he is gay and ill. The Guardian goes as far as suggesting it may be his most remarkable screen work. Stefan Gregory’s score gets a smaller mention for keeping the film moving. The reservations are about everything around him. Several reviews call the biopic structure familiar and the direction unsubtle, and say the final act tips into melodrama, with one closing montage named as overblown. The spread is narrow: eleven of twelve reviews are positive. The only real dissent comes from IndieWire, which finds the film conventional and forgettable, with rushed editing and flat storytelling that Scott’s performance cannot rescue. ## The AV Club — Monica Castillo Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2026. Castillo finds the film deeply moving, with Andrew Scott delivering a remarkable, heartbreaking performance. She singles out his physical and emotional vulnerability as he portrays Ian Charleson’s illness and love of acting. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/andrew-scott-heartbreaking-performance-elsinore-all-of-us-strangers) ## The Guardian — Benjamin Lee Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 14 September 2026. Festival review. Lee finds the film devastating and moving, with Andrew Scott delivering what may be his most remarkable screen performance. He particularly praises Scott’s raw, deeply felt portrayal of Charleson’s struggle and vitality. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/sep/14/elsinore-movie-review-andrew-scott) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2026. Festival review. Gleiberman finds the film powerfully moving and an effective art-house crowd-pleaser. He singles out Andrew Scott’s layered performance for making Ian Charleson’s struggle to give life meaning through Hamlet indelible. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/elsinore-review-andrew-scott-1236852070/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 88/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2026. Festival review. Rooney finds the film tremendously moving, despite occasional inspirational clichés and unsubtle direction. He singles out Andrew Scott’s emotionally powerful dual performance as Charleson and Hamlet. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/elsinore-review-andrew-scott-ian-charleson-olivia-colman-1236690579/) ## Screen Daily — Dave Calhoun Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2026. Festival review. Calhoun presents the film as a poignant and strongly affecting drama. He particularly praises Andrew Scott’s performance as Ian Charleson, calling it triumphant. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/elsinore-review-andrew-scott-is-triumphant-as-terminally-ill-scottish-actor-ian-charleson-in-poignant-80s-theatreland-drama/5220055.article) ## Vulture — Alison Willmore Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 September 2026. Willmore finds the film a good drama, elevated by Andrew Scott’s remarkable performance. She singles out Scott’s emotionally layered scene telling his parents he is gay and dying, while criticizing the finale’s overblown emotional montage. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/elsinore-review-andrew-scott-has-never-been-better.html) ## IndieWire — Ryan Lattanzio Rating C. 5 September 2026. Festival review. Lattanzio finds the film conventional and forgettable despite its serious subject, with Andrew Scott’s performance unable to overcome the awards-bait clichés. He praises Scott’s compelling portrayal of Ian Charleson, while criticizing the rushed editing and emotionally flat storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/elsinore-movie-review-andrew-scott-1235214584/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 September 2026. Festival review. The critic calls the film heartbreaking and thrilling. Andrew Scott’s performance as Ian Charleson is singled out as its emotional anchor. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2026/09/telluride-film-festival-2026-reviews-deadline-1237068524/) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2026. Festival review. The headline frames Andrew Scott’s performance as exceptional. The review’s broader verdict and any specific praise cannot be verified from the blocked page. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/elsinore-review-andrew-scott-gives-the-performance-of-a-lifetime-telluride-20260905/) ## Collider — Therese Lacson Rating 8/10. 23 September 2026. Festival review. Lacson finds Elsinore a strong, moving tearjerker, though its third act leans too heavily into melodrama. She singles out Andrew Scott’s layered, emotionally powerful performance as Ian Charleson, especially in the Hamlet scenes. [Read the review](https://collider.com/andrew-scott-elsinore-movie-review-tiff/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2026. Festival review. The critic finds the film emotionally powerful and praises Andrew Scott’s performance as its driving force. They also single out Stefan Gregory’s score for adding momentum and depth. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/elsinore-review-andrew-scott-hamlet/) ## Digital Spy Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 17 September 2026. The critic finds the drama moving and says Andrew Scott’s performance lifts its familiar biopic structure. Scott’s humanity is singled out for praise, though the film’s straightforward melodrama sometimes feels mechanical. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a73772080/elsinore-review-andrew-scott/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/elsinore.md