Culture 4 min read By Lauren Baxter
‘Ink’ Opens Venice Film Festival With Critics Praising Danny Boyle’s Tabloid Origin Story
Danny Boyle’s ‘Ink,’ starring Guy Pearce as Rupert Murdoch and Jack O’Connell as editor Larry Lamb, premiered at the Venice Film Festival to warm reviews and a four-minute ovation.
Danny Boyle’s tabloid drama «Ink» opened the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday night, drawing warm reviews and a four-minute standing ovation for its account of how Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper The Sun rose to power. The film, written by James Graham, stars Guy Pearce as the young Murdoch and Jack O’Connell as Larry Lamb, the editor who helped turn the struggling daily into a publishing phenomenon.
Set in 1969, «Ink» follows Murdoch as he acquires The Sun and partners with Lamb, a seasoned journalist from the north of England. The script traces their collaboration as they reshape the paper into a brash, populist force, prioritizing sensationalism and celebrity gossip over traditional news values. Critics have noted the film’s timely resonance, with Lamb’s declaration that «people need stories» echoing today’s media landscape.
Variety’s review called the film «gripping» and «sizzling,» describing it as a «can’t-look-away account» of Lamb’s «simultaneously triumphant and regrettable career zenith.» The review highlighted how Boyle and Graham capture the moral compromises behind the paper’s commercial success, portraying the birth of a new kind of journalism that would reshape British public life.
The premiere was a splashy affair, with the cast and crew arriving on the Lido for the festival’s opening night. O’Connell, who delivers a «ruthless» performance as Lamb, praised Boyle’s ability to «take us inside a world,» while Pearce revealed that Murdoch himself is «very happy» with the casting. According to Pearce, Murdoch’s daughter shared her father’s approval after seeing footage from the film.
During the film’s press conference, Pearce, Boyle, and Graham were asked whether they had spoken to Murdoch about the project. Pearce said he had not made direct contact, but noted that the mogul’s family had conveyed his positive reaction. The film does not shy away from the darker aspects of The Sun’s legacy, including its role in the rise of tabloid culture and the ethical lines crossed in pursuit of circulation.
«Ink» marks Boyle’s return to the festival circuit after his Oscar-winning work on «Slumdog Millionaire» and his 2019 comedy «Yesterday.» The film is being positioned as a major awards contender, with early buzz centering on Pearce’s transformation into Murdoch and O’Connell’s fiery portrayal of Lamb. Claire Foy also stars in a supporting role, though details of her character remain under wraps.
The Venice premiere was preceded by a celebration of Boyle’s career, as he received Variety’s Creative Impact in Directing Award at a poolside party at the Hotel Excelsior. The event drew industry figures and cast members, with O’Connell among those paying tribute to the director’s collaborative style.
Critics have noted that «Ink» is not a simple condemnation of tabloid journalism but a nuanced look at the cultural forces that made The Sun’s rise possible. The film’s portrayal of 1960s Britain, with its class tensions and shifting social mores, provides a backdrop for the story of how a newspaper became a mirror and a motor of popular taste. As one review put it, the film captures how a «people’s paper» lost its humanity — and won.
The festival run is expected to continue with further screenings and Q&A sessions, as audiences and awards voters get a closer look at one of the season’s most anticipated releases. With its blend of historical detail and contemporary relevance, «Ink» looks set to spark conversations about media power, ethics, and the stories we choose to tell.
