The Wasteland Reviewer

Fackham Hall (2025) Written Review

Now that Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has come and gone from theaters, are we ready for the raunchiest and silliest send up of this beloved series imaginable? Director Jim O’Hanlon and writer Jimmy Carr certainly come to play and are ready to challenge all the crazy high society elements of British society along with plenty of other topics ripe for some lampooning. Fackham Hall is quite the riotous romp that takes a sharp sarcastic sword to the foundations of “stuffy” British dramas like Downton Abbey. The story goes as an unexpected porter arrives at the titular mansion and falls for the old maid of a 23-year daughter of the Lord and Lady of the house. When the family cannot find the right family member to marry one of their two daughters (you heard that right), they might lose this storied mansion forever. 

What approach does O’Hanlon take when skewering this style of British prestige dramas? U Well…it is raunchy, silly, and certainly dumb as can be. This film rarely approaches the tone with any amount of seriousness. Even the central romance of the film has its charm but still plays so much for laughs. Even when the film is veering into something more emotional or serious, there is a subversive joke just waiting around the corner to take those serious emotions down. You might not find much organic connection to what is going on in the film, but the onslaught of humor will certainly keep you engaged. There are spaces where you can find charm in some of these characters but don’t get too attached. The film has such a wildly brisk pace as well which means you will never get bored watching this wild film. All the trappings that give a show like Downton Abbey its distinct visuals and setting are here and feel quite genuine. That is what makes all these wild shenanigans feel so much better when they arrive in a reserved and proper package we are used to. 

Where does Fackham Hall truly shine? On the page, for sure. The writing (provided by Carr and a crew of other writers) delivers a conveyor belt loaded with jokes that constantly arrive and piled high. You have plenty of visual gags and background ones which will make for some fun repeat viewings of the film. The film has endless jokes along the way that have a nice variety. There are silly physical set-ups that provide plenty of slapstick laughs. There is plenty of sarcasm that mixes with the ridiculously stupid banter of some of the characters. Carr and company do not fear pushing buttons and there are plenty of uncomfortably dark jokes that will make you laugh from the discomfort or from just how clever they are. Word play. Modern cultural references. Lampooning of high British society. There are also some of the dumbest jokes you will hear in a film not made by Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker. To be honest, this kind of feels like Naked Gun meets Downton Abbey. Not all the jokes work and some of the lower hanging fruit comes off with a fine scent of cringe, but Fackham Hall will make you burst out laughing quite often. You even have some seemingly serious WWI flashbacks that all end in wildly dark places.

The story is silly and simple with some murder mystery and romantic comedy elements thrown in. Even the satisfying conclusion of the central romance is a joke pointed at high society itself. 

How does this cast handle this rich material? Each character has their schtick and the cast members get to that frequency quite well. Ben Radcliffe is one of the closest elements the film has to a “straight man”, but he has the right bit of solid charisma to anchor the film. Thomasin McKenzie is so darn charming and really lights up the screen as this horrifically old spinster of just 23 years old. Radcliffe and McKenzie have strong chemistry, and they charm their way through the film. Damian Lewis balances an English refinement with an obvious helping of idiocy as Lord Davenport. Katherin Waterson is killing it as the over-the-top, melodramatic Lady Davenport. Tom Felton has a smug look and personality in the film that works perfectly in capturing the disgusting elements of his character, Archibald. Carr pops up as the Vicar at the church, and he delivers one of the best bits of word play that keeps coming back. There is a murder to solve, and Tom Goodman-Hill plays the aloof and intense Inspector Watt so well. There are plenty of supporting and minor turns that make a splash. 

Is Fackham Hall the go-to comedy of the fall movie season? You know this will not be for everyone due to the raunchy and low brow nature of some of the comedic elements. Hopefully, those folks can push through and enjoy the endlessly hilarious romp. This cast really understands and commits to the bit so well and makes this 90-minute an endlessly entertaining one. Carr is a twisted comedian, and he brings all the right sensibilities to such a film. O’Hanlon takes it and brings Fackham Hall to life in the best ways possible.