Neil Smith

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Freelance Writer

Neil Smith is a freelance film critic who has written for several publications, including Total Film. His bylines can be found at the BBC, Film 4 Independent, Uncut Magazine, SFX Magazine, Heat Magazine, Popcorn, and more.

Latest articles by Neil Smith

Paddington 3 star Hugh Bonneville addresses Mary Brown's recasting: "She just slotted in gloriously"

By Amy West, Neil Smith published 8 October 24

Exclusive Exclusive: Mr. Brown actor Hugh Bonneville says it was "seamless" welcoming Emily Mortimer into the franchise

Exclusive

Halle Berry, Percy Daggs IV, and Anthony B. Jenkins in Never Let Go

Never Let Go review: "Halle Berry's new horror is a taut exploration of fear and paranoia"

By Neil Smith published 20 September 24

review

Transformers One review: "A cut above most of its predecessors"

By Neil Smith published 12 September 24

review

Is it just me, or are belated sequels rarely worth the wait?

By Neil Smith published 12 September 24

opinion A Total Film writer argues that it's better never than late...

opinion

Speak No Evil may be a lot "less explicit" than the original horror movie, but it's still "horrific"

By Neil Smith published 11 September 24

Features Exclusive: Total Film talks to lead actor James McAvoy and director James Watkins about manners, mentors and mullets…

Features

Connor Swindells as Gessler in William Tell

First look at Sex Education star as the villain in new historical epic William Tell

By Jordan Farley published 9 September 24

Exclusive Exclusive: “I never thought I would get an opportunity like this in my career”

Exclusive

Starve Acre review: "Morfydd Clark and Matt Smith headline a chilling and unnerving horror movie"

By Neil Smith published 30 August 24

review

Borderlands review: "A frenetic and disorderly shambles gamers are likely to loathe"

By Neil Smith published 8 August 24

review

It Ends With Us review: "A serious subject is sensitively handled with this Blake Lively drama"

By Neil Smith published 7 August 24

review

james mcavoy in speak no evil horror remake

James McAvoy and Speak No Evil director James Watkins say their upcoming remake is "a lot less explicit" than the original horror movie

By Emily Murray, Neil Smith last updated 18 July 24

Exclusive Exclusive | The team behind the horror remake teases how it differs from the critically acclaimed 2022 original

Exclusive

Longlegs review: "A little Nicolas Cage goes a long way in this deeply disconcerting experience"

By Neil Smith published 4 July 24

review

The Garfield Movie review: "Have the writers ever seen an actual Garfield comic strip?"

By Neil Smith published 20 May 24

review

Kevin Durand as Proximus Caesar in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes review: "Offers spectacle and thrills, but lacks the smarts and ambition of its predecessors"

By Neil Smith published 8 May 24

review

The Idea of You review: "Anne Hathaway works overtime to give this rom-com even the appearance of substance"

By Neil Smith published 1 May 24

review

Taylor Swift during a performance on her Eras tour

Is it just me, or are concert movies better than the real thing?

By Neil Smith published 24 April 24

Opinion A Total Film writer on why cinemas are the new stadiums...

Opinion

Boy Kills World review: "A gleefully bonkers blend of The Hunger Games and The Raid"

By Neil Smith published 22 April 24

review

Rebel Moon Part Two – The Scargiver review: "Zack Snyder’s sci-fi epic stumbles towards the finish line"

By Neil Smith published 19 April 24

review

Sometimes I Think About Dying review: "Daisy Ridley demonstrates her star power"

By Neil Smith published 16 April 24

review

Challengers review: "A pulsating tale that's sure to get deuces flowing"

By Neil Smith published 12 April 24

review

Civil War review: "There's no shortage of horrors in this uncompromising drama"

By Neil Smith published 21 March 24

review

Drive-Away Dolls review: "Ethan Coen's frivolous frolic is a comedy steeped in déjà vu"

By Neil Smith published 21 February 24

review

Memory review: "Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard make a riveting duo"

By Neil Smith published 16 February 24

review

The 10 best adventure couples in movies, ranked

By Total Film published 13 February 24

Best List This Valentine's Day, we're celebrating the best adventure couples in movies

Best List

Kingsley Ben-Adir in Bob Marley: One Love (2024)

Bob Marley: One Love review - "Lacks the great man's blazing charisma"

By Neil Smith published 8 February 24

review

The Iron Claw review: "Zac Efron's moment to shine"

By Neil Smith published 5 February 24

review

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