Top News

A critically acclaimed film adaptation based on a much-loved book is now streaming on Netflix, earning widespread praise from critics and a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, directed by Wes Anderson, currently holds an impressive 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers describing the film as a "masterpiece" and one of the most inventive literary adaptations in years.

The film is based on Roald Dahl's popular short story and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Henry Sugar, a wealthy man who becomes fascinated by a mysterious technique that allows him to see without using his eyes.

What begins as a self-serving experiment gradually turns into a story about compassion, generosity and personal change.

Critics have been particularly enthusiastic about Anderson's distinctive approach.

The Guardian called the film "exhilaratingly inventive", praising its theatrical presentation and meticulous design, while The Telegraph described it as "a joyous celebration of storytelling" that remains faithful to Dahl's original work.

Yourindie film called the film a "miniature masterpiece", referring to the film's short runtime of just 39 minutes.

Reviewers have also highlighted the film's unconventional structure, with much of the dialogue delivered directly to the audience.

Empire said the format "shouldn't work, but absolutely does", adding that the film feels like "watching a story being built in real time".

The ensemble cast has also received strong praise. Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley and Richard Ayoade all appear in multiple roles, with Variety calling the performances "precise, playful and perfectly attuned to Anderson's rhythm".

Benedict Cumberbatch's central turn was described by IndieWire as "charming, sharply controlled and surprisingly moving".

One reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes said: "A very cool and quirky take on storytelling with some great actors, and it's interesting how short it was too, it weirdly felt like the perfect length, and the storytelling was very interesting as well like a story within a story within a story."

Another added: "Such an amazing way to tell a story, emotional, raw and creative. Didn't disappoint me. Oscar deserved. Once more I said."

Now available to stream on Netflix, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar continues to attract glowing reviews and strong word of mouth, cementing its reputation as one of the platform's most acclaimed recent releases.