Early Ebenezer Reactions Praise Depp, Question Originality

Paramount has screened Johnny Depp’s Ebenezer for press and allowed attendees to post brief reactions ahead of the film’s global theatrical release on November 13. The early responses praise Depp’s portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge and the film’s gothic style, while some critics say the adaptation adds little to Charles Dickens’ familiar story.

The reactions are preliminary comments from people who attended press screenings, not full reviews. Paramount’s review embargo is scheduled to lift on November 12. The first responses therefore offer an early indication of opinion, but not a broad assessment of the film’s critical reception.

Among the positive reactions, critic Phil Roberts called the film a bold interpretation of Dickens’ story and praised Depp’s performance as magnetic. Tom Chatalbash described it as a wickedly fun holiday film and said Depp balances Scrooge’s comic manner with the emotional weight of his redemption. Other early viewers praised director Ti West’s dark, gothic visual approach.

The response has not been uniformly favorable. Critic Ren Vieira said the film had nothing distinctive or unique about it, while writer MaryAnn Johanson called it superfluous. Other...