Variety's review of Fackham Hall describes the film as a mildly amusing parody of the Downton Abbey genre, with jokes that land in the light chuckle zone rather than explosive laughter. Directed by Jim O’Hanlon, the movie spoofs historical romantic costume dramas set in 1931 at a British country mansion. Starring Thomasin McKenzie and Ben Radcliffe, it earns an R rating for its running time of 97 minutes.
Film Overview
Fackham Hall is an Airplane!-style spoof targeting the Merchant Ivory and Masterpiece Theatre genres, now epitomized by Downton Abbey. Set in 1931 at the opulent Fackham Hall, the story follows the aristocratic Davenport family, where marriages among cousins preserve wealth, as hinted by the estate's inscription 'Incestus ad Infinitum.' The plot centers on sisters Rose (Thomasin McKenzie) and Poppy (Emma Laird), who must secure advantageous unions after the sudden deaths of their brothers, named John, Paul, George, and Ringo in a nod to Spinal Tap.
Rose aims to marry the dull heir Archibald (Tom Felton) but falls for the Cockney orphan Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe), whose name phonetically suggests 'Eric No One.' The title itself, pronounced with a Cockney accent, reveals a juvenile pun on 'Fuck ’em all.'
Production and Cast
Directed by Jim O’Hanlon from a script by Steve Dawson, Andrew Dawson, Tim Inman, Jimmy Carr, and Patrick Carr, the film recreates the genre's world meticulously but with restrained tone. Damian Lewis plays the entitled Lord Davenport straight-faced, while Katherine Waterston portrays Lady Davenport. Supporting cast includes Tom Goodman-Hill, Anna Maxwell Martin, and Hayley Mills. Cinematography by Philipp Blaubach, editing by Colin Fair, and music by Oli Julian and David Arnold. Produced by Bleecker Street, with a release from Legion, Mews Films, and Anonymous Content.
Review Insights
The review, conducted at AMC Empire in New York on December 4, 2025, notes amusing gags like a chaotic hunting party and J.R.R. Tolkien (Jason Done) drawing inspiration from party chatter. However, it critiques the film's overly civilized approach, lacking the aggressive humor of classics like Airplane! or The Naked Gun. Obscene jokes, such as a song titled 'I Went to the Palace With My Willie Hanging Out,' land gently without shocking laughter. Overall, Fackham Hall is deemed harmlessly frivolous and amusing enough to pass the time.