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The Old Oak

The Old Oak

Drama · 2023

A pub landlord in a previously thriving mining community struggles to hold onto his pub. Meanwhile, tensions rise in the town when Syrian refugees are placed in the empty houses in the community.

Movie details

The Old Oak

“It's not where you're from, it's what you bring.”

2023 Drama 1h 53m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.2 / 10

Community rating

A pub landlord in a previously thriving mining community struggles to hold onto his pub. Meanwhile, tensions rise in the town when Syrian refugees are placed in the empty houses in the community.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Old Oak?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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An optimistic, talented teen clings to a huge secret: she's homeless and living on a school bus. When tragedy strikes, can she learn to accept a helping hand?

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Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Ken Loach

Written by

Paul Laverty

Dave Turner

Dave Turner

TJ Ballantyne

Ebla Mari

Ebla Mari

Yara

Claire Rodgerson

Claire Rodgerson

Laura

Trevor Fox

Trevor Fox

Charlie

Chris McGlade

Chris McGlade

Vic

Col Tait

Col Tait

Eddy

Jordan Louis

Jordan Louis

Gary

Court is in session

Put The Old Oak on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.