Benedict Cumberbatch's new Netflix movie debuts with fantastic reviews

George Lewis

4 September 2023 at 5:48 am·2-min read

benedict cumberbatch new movie — Benedict Cumberbatch's new film gets 100% RT scoreJeff Spicer - Getty Images

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, the new Netflix short film starring Marvel and Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch, has debuted with a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The 39-minute film sees acclaimed director Wes Anderson return to the world of Roald Dahl following his previous adaptation of Fantastic Mr. Fox, with his latest venture coming just months after the release of Asteroid City.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar follows a rich man as he learns about a guru who can see without using his eyes, before he endeavours to master the skill in order to cheat at gambling.

dev patel as dr chatterjee, sir ben kingsley as imdad khan and richard ayoade as dr marshall in roald dahl's the wonderful story of henry sugar — Netflix

In addition to Cumberbatch, who plays the titular character, the stacked cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, Rupert Friend and Richard Ayoade.

The short film is the proposed first instalment in a four-part anthology based on Dahl's works, and has received rave reviews upon its world premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, securing a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from its first reviews.

You can read a selection of reviews below:

The Times:

"The book, of course, is one of the sweetest Dahl's written (see Henry’s surname). And it's now become a perfectly precise blast of finest Anderson."

The Daily Telegraph:

"Against the odds, Anderson has turned out to be perhaps the greatest interpreter of Dahl we have."

benedict cumberbatch in the wonderful story of henry sugar — Netflix

Little White Lies:

"For devotees, it's a delightful little morsel, lovingly brought to life as only Anderson knows how."

London Evening Standard:

"Wonderful by name, wonderful by nature. Wes Anderson's 39-minute adaptation of Roald Dahl's homonymous story is a truly gorgeous creation."

IndieWire:

"Yet another vital chapter in the filmmaker's career-long obsession with self-understanding in a senseless world."

Variety:

"Is there any director working today whose style is more conspicuous — or influential, for that matter?"

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar isn't the only movie that's impressed critics in Venice this week, as Emma Stone's new film, Poor Things, also secured a coveted 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes upon its debut.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar will be released on Netflix on 27 September.

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