The Venice Film Festival just got a jolt of adrenaline with the world premiere of Ink, a gritty new thriller that has critics buzzing. Directed by Oscar winner Danny Boyle and starring Jack O'Connell—currently a hot name in the James Bond sweepstakes—the film is already being hailed as one of the year's best. And with a stellar 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it's clear this isn't just hype.
Ink tells the story of Britain's The Sun newspaper, a publication that shook up journalism with its bold, often controversial style. The film zeroes in on editor Larry Lamb, played by O'Connell, who famously introduced the infamous Page 3 and turned the paper into a tabloid powerhouse. The story also features Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul who owned the paper, in a supporting role. Claire Foy and Guy Pearce round out the cast, adding serious star power to this already impressive project.
The film is based on a play by James Graham, and Boyle's direction brings his signature kinetic energy to the screen. This isn't the first time Boyle and O'Connell have teamed up—they previously worked together on 28 Years Later and its sequel. Interestingly, Boyle was once attached to direct Daniel Craig's final Bond film, No Time to Die, but stepped away due to creative differences. Now, with O'Connell in the mix, the Bond connection feels even more tantalizing.
Critics are already singing Ink's praises. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian called O'Connell's performance "muscular and pugnacious," while Bilge Ebiri of Vulture went so far as to call the film "a masterpiece." Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph summed it up perfectly: "In its own down-at-heel, whisky-breathed, nicotine-fingertipped way, Ink might be Britain’s belated answer to Mad Men."
With such glowing reviews, it's no surprise that Netflix has already snapped up U.S. distribution rights. The film will hit the streaming giant on January 8, 2027, after a brief Oscar-qualifying run in December. For those who can't wait, it's also getting a theatrical release in several international markets.
For fans of heist movies or action-packed thrillers, Ink is shaping up to be a must-watch. And if you're keeping an eye on the Bond race, O'Connell's performance here might just tip the scales. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on this exciting project.
