Johnny Depp’s Ebenezer first reactions are split — except on one thing

Here we go: Johnny Depp is back in the thick of it with mainstream Hollywood, playing Scrooge in Paramount's new film Ebenezer, and the first social media reactions are turning up after some early preview screenings. It's all pretty lively, and honestly, much more mixed than expected – except on one point: everyone seems to agree Depp's performance holds the whole thing together.

Press Screens and Initial Buzz

Paramount hosted screenings for the press over in New York (at the Whitby Hotel, in case you're counting) and then put on a London premiere the following week in Leicester Square. As of now, folks lucky enough to attend can toss out their general thoughts on social media, but the full-blown reviews are embargoed until 12 November, just ahead of the film's worldwide release the next day.

Ebenezer opens in cinemas worldwide on 13 November.

Reactions are all over the place depending on whose timeline you scroll – but if you're only reading for Depp, rest easy: several viewers reckon he's absolutely nailed the Scrooge role. One glowing comment compared him to the heavyweights like Alastair Sim and Michael Caine. Another made the case that Ti West (directing this one, with Nathaniel Halpern behind the script) should really be let loose on bigger productions, especially since he leans into a properly gothic vibe, aiming for style points and plenty of moody visuals.

Where The Critics Land

There is, however, a healthy chunk of negative pushback. Some have bluntly branded the film 'awful' and reckon it's just a transparent vehicle for Depp's big return rather than anything truly original. There's not much disagreement that we're re-treading very familiar ground here – it's another take on Charles Dickens' 1843 novella, after all – but depending on who you ask, that's either deliciously atmospheric or just tired.

Others say the film is more a showcase for Depp than for Dickens, with a few even calling it 'well worn territory' rather than a fresh spin. There are also comments praising the style and ensemble cast (which includes Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman, Sam Claflin, and Daisy Ridley) but the consensus really is that Depp's performance is what will get most people through the door.

• Johnny Depp leads as Ebenezer Scrooge, returning to a high-profile studio role after years away from the spotlight
• Directed by Ti West, screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern
• Supporting cast: Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley
• Early viewers split between calling it a bold, stylish new take and a tired retread
• First social media reactions allowed ahead of full reviews, embargo drops 12 November

On another note, it's impossible to ignore that this is Depp's first real Hollywood feature since all the mess with Amber Heard and the endless lawsuits that followed. Paramount's clearly betting big on a headline comeback story, and for better or worse, that's exactly what they're getting.