Review published 26th October 2026
Watch the official trailer.
The Story
Bradley Mark (Kiefer Sutherland) is a well-known movie star whose career appears to be heading in the wrong direction. After completing the latest instalment of his action franchise, Killing Time 7, Bradley receives some devastating news from his agent. Not only will the franchise not continue with an eighth film, but his reputation within the industry has finally caught up with him. Over the years, Bradley has earned a reputation for being difficult to work with. He regularly arrives late to film sets, refuses to perform his own stunts, struggles to remember people’s names, and has recently failed a medical evaluation. As a result, major opportunities have dried up. Thankfully, one unexpected offer remains.
Bradley is given the chance to star in a traditional pantomime production in England. The opportunity also places him closer to his ex-wife, daughter Emma (Matilda Firth). With no other alternatives available, Bradley reluctantly accepts and immediately heads overseas. Upon arriving in England, things go from bad to worse. The production is based in a small community, his hotel is far from luxurious, and the role itself comes as a complete shock. Bradley is cast as Buttons in a pantomime version of Cinderella, requiring him to sing, dance, and perform in a soldier costume. Desperate to escape, Bradley attempts to find loopholes in his contract, only to discover that his financial situation leaves him with little choice but to stay. As rehearsals continue, Bradley begins forming unexpected friendships with those around him, including ticket seller Albert (Derek Jacobi) and dance instructor Jill (Rebel Wilson). Most importantly, the experience encourages Bradley to reconnect with his daughter and reconsider the direction of his life.
Behind The Camera
Tinsel Town is directed by Chris Foggin, whose previous feel-good films include Fisherman’s Friends (2019), Bank of Dave (2023), and Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger (2025). Interestingly, this isn’t Foggin’s first venture into festive storytelling, having previously directed This Is Christmas (2022). The screenplay comes from writing trio Piers Ashworth, Fraser Flintham, and Adam Brown, who combine comedy, family drama, and festive themes into a story that aims to deliver both laughs and heartwarming moments. Naturally, Tinsel Town is best classified as a Christmas comedy, although its focus often leans more heavily toward personal redemption and fish-out-of-water humour than traditional festive storytelling.
Kiefer Sutherland Steals The Show
Without question, the film’s biggest strength is Kiefer Sutherland. Audiences have spent decades watching Sutherland in intense dramas and action-oriented roles, making his turn as a grumpy, washed-up movie star surprisingly refreshing. From the opening scenes, it’s clear he is having fun with the material. Many of the film’s best moments come from Bradley’s reactions to his new surroundings. Whether he’s complaining about his accommodation, refusing to embrace the pantomime experience, or delivering sarcastic one-liners, Sutherland brings plenty of energy and charm to the role. The humour rarely reaches laugh-out-loud levels, but Sutherland’s commitment consistently earns a few chuckles and keeps the film entertaining even when the screenplay struggles. More importantly, Bradley is an easy character to understand. He’s selfish, arrogant, and spoiled, but also clearly a man who has lost his way. Watching him slowly adapt to a completely different environment becomes the film’s most enjoyable aspect.
A Redemption Story That Doesn’t Fully Land
Like many Christmas films, Tinsel Town follows a familiar redemption arc. Bradley begins the story as someone who puts himself first and gradually learns valuable lessons about family, friendship, and appreciating the people around him. The problem isn’t that Bradley changes. The problem is that the reasons for those changes often feel too small. While there are several heartfelt moments throughout the film, many of the events responsible for Bradley’s transformation don’t feel significant enough to justify some of the dramatic changes in his personality. As a result, his character growth works on a basic level but never becomes as emotionally satisfying as it could have been. By the end, Bradley is undoubtedly a better person, but the journey there feels somewhat rushed and underdeveloped.
The Pantomime Setting Is A Fun Idea
One aspect I appreciated was the pantomime setting itself. It’s not something often explored in mainstream cinema, and it provides a fresh backdrop for Bradley’s fish-out-of-water story. Watching a Hollywood action star forced to participate in rehearsals, singing, costume fittings, and stage performances creates a number of entertaining situations. That said, the backstage theatre world never feels fully utilised. While the performers themselves are enjoyable enough, much of the singing, dancing, and rehearsal material is fairly forgettable. The setting works better as a source of culture shock for Bradley than as a compelling storyline in its own right. Still, it gives the film a unique identity and helps separate it from more traditional Christmas fare.
Rebel Wilson Feels Miscast
Unfortunately, Rebel Wilson proved to be the film’s biggest disappointment. Given Wilson’s strong background in comedy, I expected her character to deliver many of the film’s funniest moments. Instead, Jill is written as a far more serious and grounded character than audiences may anticipate. The result never fully works. Wilson’s Yorkshire accent often feels unconvincing, and the character lacks the comedic energy that usually makes her performances memorable. Combined with limited chemistry between Wilson and Sutherland, Jill often feels oddly disconnected from the rest of the story. It’s not that Wilson is terrible here. Rather, she feels miscast and underutilised. The film asks her to do very little of what she does best.
Where’s The Christmas Spirit?
Oddly enough, one of my biggest criticisms is that Tinsel Town rarely feels like a Christmas movie. Yes, the story takes place during Christmas. Yes, there are occasional festive moments. But the holiday atmosphere often feels surprisingly absent. For a Christmas film, there’s a noticeable lack of warmth, festive spirit, holiday traditions, and seasonal charm. There were several points where I genuinely forgot the story was taking place during Christmas at all. The fact that the main production centers around Cinderella rather than a more festive pantomime only add to this feeling. While the film certainly contains Christmas elements, they often feel like background decoration rather than an important part of the story.
Derek Jacobi Adds Heart
One supporting performance that deserves praise is Derek Jacobi as Albert. Although his role is relatively small, Albert provides some of the film’s most heartfelt moments. Through conversations about life, experience, and personal regrets, he becomes one of the few characters who genuinely influences Bradley’s growth. Some of the film’s strongest emotional scenes involve Bradley and Albert simply talking. It’s a reminder of how effective Jacobi can be with even limited screen time.
A Third Act That Loses Momentum
The film starts strongly. The first act introduces Bradley brilliantly, establishing both his flaws and the absurdity of his situation. The second act remains engaging as he attempts to adapt to his new surroundings and slowly begins forming connections. Unfortunately, the third act is where things begin to unravel. Several subplots feel unnecessary, including romantic side stories and additional personal dramas involving supporting characters. Some storylines are introduced without delivering meaningful payoffs, while others feel skimmed over entirely. While Bradley’s journey reaches a conclusion, not every part of it feels fully earned. The ending answers the major questions but leaves enough ambiguity that some viewers may find aspects of the character arc somewhat unsatisfying.
Final Thoughts
Tinsel Town is an easy-going Christmas comedy elevated largely by Kiefer Sutherland’s surprisingly enjoyable performance. Watching Sutherland step away from the action genre and embrace a comedic role provides the film with much of its charm and represents the biggest reason to give the movie a chance. While the story follows a familiar redemption formula, his performance helps keep things entertaining throughout. Unfortunately, a disappointing Rebel Wilson character, an underwhelming third act, and a surprising lack of festive atmosphere prevent the film from becoming a genuinely memorable Christmas classic. Add in several underdeveloped subplots and a redemption arc that never fully lands, and the film often feels like it falls short of its own potential. Still, for viewers looking for a light, undemanding holiday watch, there is enough here to enjoy. Think direct-to-streaming Hallmark-style quality with a stronger-than-expected performance from Kiefer Sutherland, and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect.
Tinsel Town (2026) will be Available on Digital from November 4th thanks to Defiant Screen Entertainment!
About the Reviewer
Peter Walkden
Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.
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