Johnny Depp returns to a major studio lead role in Paramount’s Ebenezer, which premiered in theaters on Friday.
The film represents a strategic attempt by the studio to re-establish the actor within Hollywood’s A-list by emphasizing his performance over the controversy surrounding his personal life.
West utilizes a visual style defined by a grainy texture that evokes the fantasy films of the 1990s, set against the backdrop of a cold, fog-filled Victorian London. The production features a grand, horror-influenced atmosphere, complete with dramatic lighting and supernatural entities that the director renders with a persistent sense of dread. The film runs for one hour and 55 minutes.
Depp stars as the elderly, bitter Ebenezer Scrooge, a performance requiring elaborate makeup. The ensemble cast includes Ian McKellen as the ghost of Jacob Marley, Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit, Sam Claflin as Fred, and Daisy Ridley, alongside Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, and Charlie Murphy.
The screenplay was penned by Nathaniel Halpern, with an original song by Mylène Farmer featured during the end credits.
To build momentum for his return to Hollywood, Johnny Depp appeared in full character makeup as Ebenezer Scrooge in the film Ebenezer.
The film’s budget is described as modest compared to the large-scale productions Depp previously headlined. According to Variety, Depp received a $5 million salary for the role, which is approximately 47 million Norwegian kroner.
This figure represents a significant reduction in pay for the 63-year-old actor, who earned substantially more for his role as Gellert Grindelwald in the 2018 film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, where his compensation was reported at 153 million kroner.
The studio is closely monitoring audience interest to see if Depp retains his former pulling power. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Depp signaled that he would not rule out a return to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, provided the series could conclude in a more satisfying manner than the 2017 installment, Salazar’s Revenge.
Early reviews have been polarized. Critics such as Phil Roberts praised the film as a bold interpretation of Dickens’ classic, which delivers a sincere, emotional and desperate story. Critics Choice members Clarence Moye and Tony Mosello also offered positive assessments, labeling the film a joyful surprise and praising the visual style.
Conversely, others have criticized the film for being predictable. Film critic Ren Vieira said that while the production and sound design are excellent, the film lacks innovation. Ebenezer has all the familiar elements of the story, but there is nothing outstanding or unique about how it is presented this time, Vieira wrote.
Robert Ortiz concluded that the film is technically well-made but suffers because it is boring and easily forgotten for those already familiar with the source material. Kevin Goetz, founder of the research firm Screen Engine/ASI, said that despite the legal turmoil following the 2022 trial against Amber Heard, Depp remains one of the largest film stars on the planet.