Danny Boyle’s ‘Ink’ Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed with Critics’ Reactions

Opening night at Venice carries a certain weight each year, setting the tone for what is often one of the most closely watched festivals on the calendar. This year, that honor went to a filmmaker known for transforming true stories into dynamic, engaging cinema.

Danny Boyle’s ‘Ink‘ premiered as the opening film of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 2, where it is also competing for the Golden Lion. The film dramatizes the true story of how Rupert Murdoch and editor Larry Lamb turned a struggling British tabloid into a media empire, and early reactions indicate that Boyle has delivered one of his most talked-about films in years.

This positive reception has translated into impressive numbers. ‘Ink’ currently boasts an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 18 reviews, positioning it as an early contender for awards season right out of the gate.

Based on James Graham’s Tony-winning stage play of the same name, ‘Ink’ is set in 1969 and follows Murdoch, portrayed by Guy Pearce, as he acquires The Sun and recruits Yorkshire-born editor Larry Lamb, played by Jack O’Connell, to help transform the paper into a sensationalist powerhouse. Claire Foy also stars as Lamb’s deputy editor and wife, rounding out a cast that includes Bertie Carvel, Brian Gleeson, and Blake Harrison.

Critics have largely praised the film’s central performances, with many reviewers highlighting O’Connell’s portrayal as a career-defining moment. Writing for Variety, critic Guy Lodge described the film as a “very compelling yarn, energized by a terrifically bullish performance from Jack O’Connell.”

The film’s ambition extends beyond its period setting, with Boyle skillfully linking Lamb and Murdoch’s legacy to the current media landscape. Vulture’s Bilge Ebiri commended this broader perspective, describing ‘Ink’ as transforming “a tale steeped in the minutiae of the English newspaper business” into “something anthemic and fearsome,” comparing the outcome to “Citizen Kane by way of Trainspotting,” according to Gold Derby.

While the overall reception has been very positive, some reviewers have critiqued certain aspects of the film’s execution. IndieWire’s review noted that ‘Ink’ occasionally feels stylistically overdone, mentioning that Boyle concludes the film with a montage linking the rise of tabloid journalism directly to figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, a choice some critics felt was “unsubtly overplayed” by the film’s conclusion.

Still, even critics with reservations about the film’s messaging acknowledged its craftsmanship, praising Boyle’s signature kinetic direction and the strength of the central performances. The Hollywood Reporter’s review remarked that even if “the final payoff feels a bit muted,” ‘Ink’ remains a strong demonstration of Boyle’s ability to inject urgency into dialogue-heavy material.

‘Ink’ is set to open in select U.S. theaters on December 11 before arriving on Netflix in the United States and Latin America on January 8. The film will also have a theatrical release in Australia and New Zealand via StudioCanal on January 7, providing international audiences their own opportunity to see Boyle’s latest work.

With Venice reviews hinting at awards season buzz and a star-studded ensemble cast anchoring the narrative, ‘Ink’ appears poised to be one of the more discussed films of the fall and winter movie season. Whether this acclaim translates into major nominations remains to be seen, but the film has certainly made a strong first impression on the festival circuit.

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