Neil Smith

Social Links Navigation

Freelance Writer

Neil Smith is a freelance film critic who has written for several publications, including Total Film. His bylines can be found at the BBC, Film 4 Independent, Uncut Magazine, SFX Magazine, Heat Magazine, Popcorn, and more.

Latest articles by Neil Smith

Paddington 3 star Hugh Bonneville addresses Mary Brown's recasting: "She just slotted in gloriously"

By Amy West, Neil Smith published 8 October 24

Exclusive Exclusive: Mr. Brown actor Hugh Bonneville says it was "seamless" welcoming Emily Mortimer into the franchise

Exclusive

Halle Berry, Percy Daggs IV, and Anthony B. Jenkins in Never Let Go

Never Let Go review: "Halle Berry's new horror is a taut exploration of fear and paranoia"

By Neil Smith published 20 September 24

review

Transformers One review: "A cut above most of its predecessors"

By Neil Smith published 12 September 24

review

Is it just me, or are belated sequels rarely worth the wait?

By Neil Smith published 12 September 24

opinion A Total Film writer argues that it's better never than late...

opinion

Speak No Evil may be a lot "less explicit" than the original horror movie, but it's still "horrific"

By Neil Smith published 11 September 24

feature Exclusive: Total Film talks to lead actor James McAvoy and director James Watkins about manners, mentors and mullets…

feature

Connor Swindells as Gessler in William Tell

First look at Sex Education star as the villain in new historical epic William Tell

By Jordan Farley published 9 September 24

Exclusive Exclusive: “I never thought I would get an opportunity like this in my career”

Exclusive

Starve Acre review: "Morfydd Clark and Matt Smith headline a chilling and unnerving horror movie"

By Neil Smith published 30 August 24

review

Borderlands review: "A frenetic and disorderly shambles gamers are likely to loathe"

By Neil Smith published 8 August 24

review

It Ends With Us review: "A serious subject is sensitively handled with this Blake Lively drama"

By Neil Smith published 7 August 24

review

james mcavoy in speak no evil horror remake

James McAvoy and Speak No Evil director James Watkins say their upcoming remake is "a lot less explicit" than the original horror movie

By Emily Murray, Neil Smith last updated 18 July 24

Exclusive Exclusive | The team behind the horror remake teases how it differs from the critically acclaimed 2022 original

Exclusive

Longlegs review: "A little Nicolas Cage goes a long way in this deeply disconcerting experience"

By Neil Smith published 4 July 24

review

The Garfield Movie review: "Have the writers ever seen an actual Garfield comic strip?"

By Neil Smith published 20 May 24

review

Kevin Durand as Proximus Caesar in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes review: "Offers spectacle and thrills, but lacks the smarts and ambition of its predecessors"

By Neil Smith published 8 May 24

review

The Idea of You review: "Anne Hathaway works overtime to give this rom-com even the appearance of substance"

By Neil Smith published 1 May 24

review

Taylor Swift during a performance on her Eras tour

Is it just me, or are concert movies better than the real thing?

By Neil Smith published 24 April 24

Opinion A Total Film writer on why cinemas are the new stadiums...

Opinion

Boy Kills World review: "A gleefully bonkers blend of The Hunger Games and The Raid"

By Neil Smith published 22 April 24

review

Rebel Moon Part Two – The Scargiver review: "Zack Snyder’s sci-fi epic stumbles towards the finish line"

By Neil Smith published 19 April 24

review

Sometimes I Think About Dying review: "Daisy Ridley demonstrates her star power"

By Neil Smith published 16 April 24

review

Challengers review: "A pulsating tale that's sure to get deuces flowing"

By Neil Smith published 12 April 24

review

Civil War review: "There's no shortage of horrors in this uncompromising drama"

By Neil Smith published 21 March 24

review

Drive-Away Dolls review: "Ethan Coen's frivolous frolic is a comedy steeped in déjà vu"

By Neil Smith published 21 February 24

review

Memory review: "Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard make a riveting duo"

By Neil Smith published 16 February 24

review

The 10 best adventure couples in movies, ranked

By Total Film published 13 February 24

Best List This Valentine's Day, we're celebrating the best adventure couples in movies

Best List

Kingsley Ben-Adir in Bob Marley: One Love (2024)

Bob Marley: One Love review - "Lacks the great man's blazing charisma"

By Neil Smith published 8 February 24

review

The Iron Claw review: "Zac Efron's moment to shine"

By Neil Smith published 5 February 24

review

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

1
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review: "The best but most broken game I've played all year"
2
Towers of Aghasba review: "Exploration is a joy thanks to gorgeous visuals and a varied landscape"
3
Sorry We're Closed review: "Resident Evil 4 and Silent Hill can't match this neon-soaked survival horror for its sheer inventiveness"
4
Lego Horizon Adventures review: "Brilliantly rebuilds this PlayStation icon"
5
Codenames review: "The ultimate pick-up-and-play party game"

1
Wicked review: "Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will have you defying gravity"
2
Gladiator 2 review: "A rousing spectacle with Ridley Scott and Denzel Washington on top form"
3
Paddington in Peru review: "Endlessly easy to love with a pitch-perfect Olivia Colman"
4
Venom: The Last Dance review: "A puddle of pixels that isn’t much fun to splash around in"
5
Smile 2 Review: "Naomi Scott demonstrates her talents with a raw, no-holds-barred performance in this largely successful horror sequel"

1
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: "Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place"
2
Dune: Prophecy review: "HBO's prequel occasionally stands up to Denis Villeneuve's movies – but largely falls short"
3
Arcane season 2 review: "Stunning animation and a bigger scope reaches thrilling new heights"
4
Silo season 2 review: "A commanding performance from Rebecca Ferguson makes it a dystopian future worth staying in"
5
Agatha All Along finale review and recap: "Fun, but think about it too hard and it falls apart like a house of tarot cards"