An extravagantly malicious theatre critic who strikes fear into the thespians of 1930s London, Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) is known for many proclivities, but mostly for his savagery. So when the paper’s new owner threatens his job at the Daily Chronicle, Jimmy’s response is as vicious as that of a cornered honey badger in a cravat. A vulnerable starlet (Gemma Arterton), a lovelorn newspaperman (Mark Strong) and even Jimmy’s live-in “secretary”, Tom (Alfred Enoch), are all collateral damage in his machiavellian scheme.

This adaptation of Anthony Quinn’s 2015 novel Curtain Call, with Patrick Marber as screenwriter and Anand Tucker (Hilary and Jackie) directing, should be lurid fun. And certainly, McKellen’s characterful countenance is put to expressive use: the camera lingers not just on his eye bags, but on a whole set of face luggage, all of it packed with spite and gleeful vitriol. But despite reported reshoots and a fresh edit after the film’s coolly received premiere last year, its sour spirit and a cluttered, clumsy third act remain a problem.

• In UK and Irish cinemas