Johnny Depp has drawn praise for his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in Ebenezer, but his latest film has received mixed early reactions. The Ti West-directed adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella A Christmas Carol marks Depp’s return to a major Hollywood production after years away from the spotlight.
According to Collider, Depp previously surprised audiences at San Diego Comic-Con by appearing in full Scrooge costume during its Directors on Directing panel. The appearance offered an early glimpse of his transformation for the film. His return comes after his last major Hollywood release, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, in 2018, and his highly publicised legal battle with former wife Amber Heard.
Early reactions have largely praised Depp’s performance, although critics remain divided over the film’s overall execution. UK film critic Phil Roberts described Depp as “magnetic throughout Scrooge’s soft redemption arc”. He also praised the finale, saying it delivers greater emotional impact than previous adaptations.
Tom Chatalbash, chief film critic at FilmSpeak, called Ebenezer a “wickedly fun holiday treat and strong comeback vehicle” for Depp. He also described the actor as a “fiendish delight” in the role.
However, not everyone has welcomed the adaptation. Critic Ren Vieira argued that the film brings little originality to the familiar story. He also felt Depp relied on his established acting style rather than offering something fresh.
Writer and critic MaryAnn Johanson dismissed the film as “utterly superfluous”. Robert Ortiz was equally unimpressed, describing it as forgettable and boring, particularly for viewers familiar with earlier adaptations of A Christmas Carol.
Paramount Pictures will release Ebenezer on 13 November 2026.
Depp’s return to mainstream cinema will continue with Day Drinker, an action thriller directed by Marc Webb. The film, which also stars Madelyn Cline, Penélope Cruz and Manu Ríos, is scheduled to arrive on 26 March 2027.
