Mindhorn
A disgraced television detective returns to his obsolete persona when a dangerous fan demands the real actor solve an Isle of Man crisis.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- absurd
- nostalgic
- lazy sunday
- comedy night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a laugh-out-loud, committed British comedy whose sublime silliness is balanced by thoughtful moments.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Richard Thorncroft treats his obsolete television persona as proof of continuing cultural importance while living as a failed actor.
The Mindhorn character, robotic eye, catchphrases, and obsessive fan culture directly motivate the criminal standoff and Richard's return.
The police investigation, theatrical suspect, amateur detective behavior, and exaggerated justice rhetoric repeatedly parody television crime drama.
Richard's turtleneck, robotic eyepatch, political incorrectness, one-liners, and former detective-show fame anchor the film's nostalgia.
Films like Mindhorn, and why
The World's End
absurd british comedy, aging performer, and affectionate mockery of entertainment-industry vanity
Hot Fuzz
eccentric british ensemble comedy, heightened crime plotting, and broad character humor
A Film with Me in It
show-business satire, self-important protagonist, and deliberately silly genre pastiche
The Nice Guys
comic crime spoof driven by awkward professionalism, celebrity delusion, and farcical investigation
Movie Details
- Director
- Sean Foley
- Release Date
- 2016-10-09
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (329)
Cast
- Julian Barratt
- Simon Farnaby
- Essie Davis
- Steve Coogan
- Richard McCabe
- Andrea Riseborough
- Russell Tovey
- Robin Morrissey
- David Schofield
- Alannah Olivia
Common questions
- What is Mindhorn about?
- A disgraced television detective returns to his obsolete persona when a dangerous fan demands the real actor solve an Isle of Man crisis.
- What is Mindhorn like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mindhorn as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Mindhorn violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Mindhorn as mild.
- What did critics think of Mindhorn?
- Critics broadly found the film a laugh-out-loud, committed British comedy whose sublime silliness is balanced by thoughtful moments.
- Which films are like Mindhorn?
- Films with a similar feel include The World's End, Hot Fuzz, A Film with Me in It, and The Nice Guys.
- How long is Mindhorn?
- Mindhorn runs 89 minutes.
