Rupert Grint and Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp Wins Praise for Ebenezer Scrooge Role in ‘Ebenezer’ Premiere

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Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge is receiving widespread praise following the global premiere of “Ebenezer” in London on November 9, 2026.

While early reactions to the Ti West-directed adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic are split on the film’s necessity, the consensus among critics and influencers is that Depp delivers a standout performance. The comedy-thriller, produced by Paramount Pictures, is scheduled for a global theatrical release on November 13.

The actor’s return to a major Hollywood studio production follows years of professional instability. Variety reported that film press members have largely responded positively, describing the film as a wickedly fun holiday treat and a strong comeback vehicle for its star.

UK critic Phil Roberts told Variety that the film is a bold spin on Dickens’ classic, delivering a sincere period piece infused with heart and despair. Roberts also noted that Depp is magnetic throughout Scrooge’s soft redemption arc leading to a finale that delivers more emotional resonance than its predecessors.

Clarence Moye, a member of Critics Choice, told Martin Cid Magazine that the film was a pleasant surprise, adding that Depp stands with George C. Scott as one of the best modern interpretations of the character.

JoBlo’s JimmyO admitted he was not terribly excited about the prospect of another Christmas Carol, but found the film to be a darker look at the Christmas fable.

Variety cited critic Ren Vieira, who argued that while the film is technically well-made, it commits the sins of being forgettable and just boring because it fails to do anything new with the familiar story. Similarly, Ren Geekness stated that while the film hits all the necessary beats, nothing about the version is distinct or unique, suggesting it is just Depp using his old tricks.

Industry experts disagree on whether the film succeeds as a standalone work.

While some critics found the production design and score noteworthy, others like MaryAnn Johanson described the movie as utterly superfluous, and Lewis (Taylor’s Version) declared there are no superlatives to describe how truly Ebenezer awful is, with the exception of the score and production design.

Some critics expressed frustration with the redundancy of the plot.

Johnny Depp in 'Ebenezer' from Paramount Pictures
Photo: Hollywoodreporter

The film’s production budget was $38 million, according to IndieWire. This budget represents a different scale for director Ti West, whose entire X trilogy had a total budget of $12.2 million.

The project marks Depp’s first major Hollywood studio role since his highly publicized 2022 legal battle with his ex-wife, Amber Heard. During that litigation, a jury in the United States found that Heard had defamed Depp in an article for The Washington Post, ordering her to pay him $10.35 million in damages. The jury also concluded that one of Depp’s lawyers had defamed Heard, awarding her $2 million in damages.

The film was written by Nathaniel Halpern and directed by Ti West.

The production features an ensemble cast including Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit, Andrea Riseborough as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Sam Claflin as Fred, Daisy Ridley as Clara, Arthur Conti as young Ebenezer, Ellie Bamber as Belle, Tramell Tillman as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Robert Strange as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, and Ian McKellen as Jacob Marley, according to Deadline.

The film’s executive production team includes Ti West, Adam Bohling, David Reid, Stephen Deuters, Jason Forman, Pete Chiappetta, Anthony Tittanegro, Andrew Lary, Molly Smith, Thad Luckinbill, and Trent Luckinbill, with Emma Watts serving as producer.

Paramount Pictures, which is owned by Skydance along with Warner Bros and CNN, is betting on the film’s success. The release follows the company’s 2025 acquisition by Skydance. Nellee Holmes, the executive producer of the 2023 film Jeanne du Barry, expects “Ebenezer” to perform well.

At the same time as “Ebenezerreceives a major film release, Amber Heard's first on-screen appearance since 2023'sAquaman and the Lost Kingdom” will be in “Silenced,” a documentary directed by Selina Miles and Blayke Hoffman regarding the use of defamation law against women who allege abuse.

More on Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp brings Scrooge to London for Ebenezer Premiere
Johnny Depp (Scrooge) on Ebenezer: following Alastair Sim, a tragic Scrooge
Johnny Depp talks playing Scrooge in Ebenezer
Johnny Depp Reacts to Fan Love at ‘Ebenezer’ Premiere: ‘I Owe Them’ (Exclusive)

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Marina Collins - Entertainment Editor

Senior Editor, Entertainment Marina is a celebrated pop culture columnist and recipient of multiple media awards. She curates engaging stories about film, music, television, and celebrity news, always with a fresh and authoritative voice.

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