The first reviews are in for The Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons' movie Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies – and it's a mixed bag.
Based on Michael Ausiello's best-selling memoir of the same name and directed by Michael Showalter, the film is currently sitting on a 69% percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, giving the film a generally positive first response.
The film sees Jim Parsons star as American journalist Michael Ausiello opposite Fleabag's Ben Aldridge as photographer Kit Cowan, detailing the story of the couple's relationship and how it's impacted when Cowan is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Related: Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons reacts to scene being cut from rerun
Critics were divided in their feelings towards the film, with some reviews praising Spoiler Alert's emotional impact.
Entertainment Weekly
"Spoiler Alert defies expectations throughout, refusing to adhere to one genre or storytelling convention. Some unexpected twists are successful (a multi-cam sitcom setting provides Michael's backstory) while others are jarring (one hard left turn in the final act, in particular), but Showalter ultimately succeeds because he never loses focus of the heart at the core of his story."
Smash Cut
"Spoiler Alert is the kind of realistic romantic tragicomedy that makes you feel nearly every emotion at once. Funny but not forced. Tragic but not overwrought."
Mashable
"I was happily impressed (when I wasn't bawling my eyes out) by the meta touches and offbeat moves this movie decides to make when it could've easily been far lazier in its choices."
Related: First look at The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons in biopic movie
Whereas some of the reviews were less positive:
The Guardian
"Commercially speaking, it’s heartening to see queer narratives such as this elbowed on to centre stage and Spoiler Alert’s ambitious release feels like another big step in the right direction. But it’s just a maddening shame that this particular journey is content to coast in the very middle of the road. Spoiler alert: we deserve better."
IGN Movies
"Kneecapped by the plainness of its storytelling, and only marginally saved by its performances."
The New York Times
"A bigger problem is that the so-called sincere dialogue is either blunter than a soap opera or hammier than a Hawaiian pizza."
Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies opens in select cinemas on December 2, before a wider release on December 16. A UK release date has not been announced at the time. Ausiello's memoir on which the film is based is available to buy now.
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