Nicholas Barber
BBC Culture
United Kingdom
Contact Nicholas
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Nicholas:
Does Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny mark the era of the 'flopbuster'?
The latest Indiana Jones, The Flash and Elemental have been disappointing at the box office – does that mean that Hollywood is in crisis, asks Nicholas Barber. → Read More
The 25 best stunts in cinema – ranked!
In the forthcoming Mission: Impossible film, Tom Cruise drives a motorbike off a cliff and wrecks a 70-tonne train. But how does such derring-do compare with cinema’s most hair-raising escapades? → Read More
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is 'disappointing'
The sequel to Into the Spider-Verse 'feels frantically busy and wheel-spinningly slow at the same time', writes Nicholas Barber. But the 'cleverness and craftsmanship' are staggering. → Read More
The Zone of Interest review from Cannes: Five stars for Jonathan Glazer's Holocaust 'masterpiece'
Under the Skin and Sexy Beast director Jonathan Glazer has made "a blood-freezing treatise on the banality of evil", writes Nicholas Barber – and it's proved a hit at Cannes, where it received a six-minute standing ovation. → Read More
Monster review: 'A marvel' and 'bittersweet'
Hirokazu Kore-eda's follow-up to Broker is a "minutely observed, profoundly compassionate chronicle of untidy contemporary lives", writes Nicholas Barber. → Read More
Jeanne du Barry review: 'Johnny Depp is subdued to the point where he’s barely conscious'
After his legal battles, the star is making his comeback in Cannes' opening film – but it's a dull soap opera, in which he makes minimum effort, writes Nicholas Barber. → Read More
Chris Evans and Ana de Armas in Ghosted on Apple TV+: The films 'too bad for the cinema'
Apple TV+'s Ghosted represents a new wave of precision-engineered, 'made-for-streaming' movies that are only good enough to watch from the sofa, writes Nicholas Barber. → Read More
Golden oldies: how romantic comedies set out to attract the more mature lover
After a lean decade, the 90s staple has returned in a big way. But there is one key difference: grey hair. How did older actors take over the genre? → Read More
M3GAN review: This killer robot-girl horror is nasty fun
Featuring a creepy girl android destined to inspire Halloween costumes, the latest Blumhouse horror is generically enjoyable, although oddly old-fashioned, writes Nicholas Barber. → Read More
Avatar: The Way of Water is a 'damp squib'
In 2009, James Cameron's Avatar became the highest grossing film ever released. Thirteen years on, can his follow-up – starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña – do the same? → Read More
The Banshees of Inisherin: Could Colin Farrell win an Oscar?
Martin McDonagh's new film reunites In Bruges stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in a hauntingly sad, compellingly strange film about friendship and toxic masculinity. → Read More
Matilda review: Film brings out Dahl's dark side
The film adaptation of the stage musical based on Roald Dahl's novel is nearly 'the year's most disturbing gothic horror movie', writes Nicholas Barber. → Read More
The Gray Man review: Jason Bourne 'with an identity crisis'
Netflix's The Gray Man borrows from a slew of secret-agent thrillers, but doesn't match them in quality, writes Nicholas Barber. → Read More
To infinity – actually, let’s go back: why can film franchises no longer look to the future?
Everywhere you look, Hollywood’s biggest science-fiction, fantasy and action franchises have stopped exploring uncharted territory, and put themselves into reverse gear → Read More
Jurassic World Dominion review: 'Exhilarating'
The final of the two trilogies is 'proudly excessive' and 'jam-packed with silliness, spectacle and romance', writes Nicholas Barber. → Read More
Close: An exceptional film of empathy and vision
Director Lukas Dhont has followed up his film Girl with the 'tear-jerkingly sweet and tender' buddy story Close, writes Nicholas Barber. → Read More
Broker: 'One of the year's most delightful films'
Five stars for Hirokazu Kore-eda's big-hearted, funny, knotty caper. The follow-up to Shoplifters is directed with 'impeccable skill, delicacy and compassion', writes Nicholas Barber. → Read More
Elvis review: 'A hyperactive sensory overload'
Tom Hanks and Austin Butler star in Baz Luhrmann's new biopic of the iconic singer, which is "terrifically fun" at times, but too careful overall, writes Nicholas Barber. → Read More
The Stars at Noon review: A 'beguiling, immersive film'
Claire Denis' new film is a romantic thriller that's beautifully made, writes Nicholas Barber – but its plot drifts in places. → Read More
Decision to Leave: A cracking romantic thriller
The director of Oldboy and The Handmaiden is back with an updated "cop-meets-femme-fatale" film, which is a "gleaming treat", but falters structurally, writes Nicholas Barber. → Read More