Johnny Depp’s ‘Ebenezer’ Splits Critics as Gothic ‘Christmas Carol’ Opens in Theaters

admin · November 13, 2026 · 5 min read

Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge in a gothic Victorian London street scene with ghostly figures, NNews.pro editorial illustration

Johnny Depp’s gothic reimagining of A Christmas Carol arrives in theaters today, Friday, November 13, with critics almost perfectly divided. Ebenezer, directed by Ti West and released by Paramount Pictures, holds a 51% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 96 reviews, with a 47 out of 100 on Metacritic — a split verdict for one of the year’s most closely watched comebacks.

The film casts Depp as the miserly Victorian businessman Ebenezer Scrooge, haunted by three spirits on Christmas Eve and given one final chance to change his ways. It is Depp’s first major studio film since his defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard, and its opening on Friday the 13th gives the horror-tinged retelling an extra bit of timing.

A verdict split down the middle

The critical divide is unusually even. At one point in the count, 35 of 69 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes were fresh and 34 were rotten. As more reviews arrived through Friday, the score hovered between 50% and 53%, settling at 51% with 96 reviews counted.

The praise centers on Depp himself and the film’s atmosphere. Rob Sperduto of MovieWeb gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, writing that “Ebenezer gives Johnny Depp his best showcase in years and makes a real case for a new Christmas classic.” Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph also awarded 4 out of 5 stars, saying the film “breathes a cool, fresh, spectral, humbug-free breath down the spine” of the Dickens classic. Alonso Duralde of The Film Verdict called it “a solid adaptation that does what it’s supposed to do,” even if it does not reinvent the story.

The detractors were equally firm. David Ehrlich of IndieWire gave the film a C+, while Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence handed it a D+. Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post rated it 2 out of 4, writing that the film’s horror pedigree promised “something fresh, exciting and edgy” and did not deliver it. Jesse Hassenger of The A.V. Club gave it a C+, and Jackson Weaver of CBC News rated it 2.5 out of 5. ScreenRant’s own review landed at 5 out of 10.

What critics agree on — and what they don’t

There is broad agreement on two points: Depp makes a compelling Scrooge, and the film looks the part. Reviewers praised the gothic production design, the fog-drenched Victorian London setting, and the occasional genuine scare. The recurring complaint is that the film adds little to a story audiences have seen countless times. Critics described sluggish pacing and a lack of originality, even as they credited West with giving the familiar tale a darker, more spectral edge.

The supporting cast drew attention as well. Ian McKellen plays Jacob Marley, with Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman and Daisy Ridley as the three ghosts, and Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit.

Background: a familiar story, a darker telling

Ebenezer is written by Nathaniel Halpern and produced by Emma Watts, with West — best known for A24’s X trilogy — directing. The film runs 116 minutes and is rated PG-13 for frightening material.

The 51% Rotten Tomatoes score makes it the third-lowest-rated adaptation of A Christmas Carol on the site, above only the 2022 animated Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (40%) and 2001’s Christmas Carol: The Movie (13%). By comparison, The Muppet Christmas Carol holds 79% and the 1970 musical Scrooge starring Albert Finney sits at 71%.

Paramount had reason for confidence heading into release: reports said early test screenings scored an 86, and the studio has leaned heavily into the film’s Friday the 13th opening date.

Why this matters

For Depp, Ebenezer is a test of whether audiences are ready to welcome him back to major studio films. For Paramount, it is a holiday-season bet that a darker Christmas story can stand out in a crowded field. The divided critical response leaves the film’s fate largely in the hands of audiences — and the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes has not yet appeared, since the Popcornmeter needs 50 verified ratings before it switches on.

Latest developments

Ebenezer opened in theaters nationwide today, November 13, 2026. The first audience reactions and opening-weekend box office figures will arrive over the coming days, and the Rotten Tomatoes score is expected to keep shifting as more reviews are published.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Rotten Tomatoes score for Ebenezer?

Ebenezer holds a 51% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 96 reviews, with a 47 out of 100 on Metacritic. The score has hovered between 50% and 53% as reviews continue to arrive.

Who stars in Ebenezer?

Johnny Depp plays Ebenezer Scrooge. The cast also includes Ian McKellen as Jacob Marley, Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman and Daisy Ridley as the three ghosts, and Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit.

When did Ebenezer come out?

Ebenezer opened in theaters on Friday, November 13, 2026. It is directed by Ti West and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Is Ebenezer worth watching?

Critics are split. Supporters praise Johnny Depp’s performance and the film’s gothic atmosphere, while detractors say it adds little new to Dickens’ familiar story. The mixed 51% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects that divide.

The opening weekend will tell the rest of the story. If audiences embrace Depp’s Scrooge the way some critics have, Ebenezer could still find its audience this holiday season — but with reviews this divided, the film’s box office will have to do the talking.