Johnny Depp's Hollywood Return Divides Critics as 'Ebenezer' Premieres

Johnny Depp's first Hollywood studio film since his 2022 defamation trial against Amber Heard has premiered, and critics are split on whether "Ebenezer" marks a genuine comeback or a retread.

The film, directed by Ti West and released by Paramount on Nov. 13, reimagines Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" with Depp as Scrooge. Its tagline: "The name you know, the story you don't." Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen round out the ensemble.

The positive verdicts came in first, and they were emphatic.

What are critics saying?

FilmSpeak chief film critic Tom Chatalbash called the film "a wickedly fun holiday treat and strong comeback vehicle for its star." He wrote: "Depp is a fiendish delight as Scrooge, delivering a lively performance that thankfully balances the goofy charm and emotional gravitas that has been sorely missed."

Chatalbash also credited West, noting his "horror sensibilities and visual panache give the film an immersive gothic look and feel" while he "sprinkles in some refreshing new layers to deepen Ebenezer's journey."

UK film critic Phil Roberts called it "a bold spin on Dickens' classic, delivering a sincere period piece infused with heart and despair." He wrote on X: "Johnny Depp is magnetic throughout Scrooge's soft redemption arc leading to a finale that delivers more emotional resonance than its predecessors."

Critics Choice member Clarence Moye placed Depp in rare company: "Ti West brings a lovely gothic visual style which helps freshen an otherwise standard take. And of course Depp is great, standing with George C. Scott as the best of the modern Scrooges."

Fellow Critics Choice member Tony Mosello called it "a revitalized edition of the classic Victorian fable of redemption, centered around a fun, quirky, and energetic Johnny Depp performance."

Where does the praise stop?

Three critics pushed back hard against the wave of enthusiasm.

Film critic Ren Vieira wrote: "Ebenezer hits all the beats right, but nothing's distinct or unique about this version. Fantastic set design, production & sound design, but it's just Depp doing cooky Scrooge, nothing more than his old tricks… Claflin & Grint innocent."

Robert Ortiz was blunter. "Technically well made and Johnny Depp certainly looks and acts the part but the film commits 2 sins of being forgettable and just boring, especially if you've seen a Christmas carol before," he wrote. "Doesn't do anything new and fails to justify its existence."

UK-based critic MaryAnn Johanson kept her verdict to two words: "Utterly superfluous."

Why this film carries more weight than a usual Christmas release

Depp has not appeared in a Hollywood studio film since the 2022 Virginia trial, in which he and ex-wife Amber Heard accused each other of domestic abuse and defamation. The jury awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages; Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages on her counterclaim.

That history turns "Ebenezer" into a test case. The studio has positioned it as a major comeback for the "Edward Scissorhands" actor, and several reviewers explicitly framed it that way — Chatalbash called it a "comeback vehicle" outright.

What does this change for Depp? First reactions suggest the answer depends on which critic you believe: a magnetic return or old tricks in a gothic wrapper. Full reviews arrive before the Nov. 13 theatrical release, and the box office will deliver the verdict no post on X can.