When you consider the success of spoof movies like Airplane!, The Naked Gun, Scary Movie and countless others, and then throw in homages to the likes of Monty Python, Mel Brooks, the Carry On movies and other masters of this comedic form, it would seem a natural to take the beloved period drama of the British upper crust and turn the genre on its head. That is exactly what the very funny Fackham Hall sets out to do, and it hits more than it misses.

With the third and most recent Downton Abbey a hit in theatres this fall, it is that movie that is front of mind when watching this one. But shows like Upstairs, Downstairs and just about anything with a Lord and a Lady seems fair game for writers Steve and Andrew Dawson, Tim Inman and Jimmy and Patrick Carr. They clearly have done their homework and serve up an affectionate skewering that earns a fair share of LOL moments. But for any of these films to really work, there has to be a recognizable foundation on which to build the silliness, and director Jim O’Hanlon has made sure to make this comedic assault on this genre one that also just might work storywise for fans of the shows being spoofed.

Rather than just throw everything at the wall to see what sticks, this one also is smart enough to craft an actual story you can follow that has some credibility all on its own, plus a love story at its center. Match that with Fackham Hall‘s singular sense of British humor, at times even with the throwaway lines more subtle than, say, Marlon Wayans’ Scary Movie jokefests.

Here we follow the exploits of Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe), an affable orphaned pickpocket who arrives at the richly appointed English manor house and almost immediately is mistaken as the new staff employee. Before he can set that record straight, he finds himself thrown into various lowly duties as a member of the household team. In no time he is rising in the job and finding forbidden romance with no less than the attractive and likable young lady of the house, Rose Davenport (Thomasin McKenzie). Their relationship is, of course, one that never would be acceptable in this polite British environment, but it really gets complicated when a major character is murdered and — you guessed it — Eric is framed for it. Now you can add Agatha Christie to the list of those being spoofed here. To say the killing upends everything is an understatement, but it gives this jokebook a structure that credibly works alongside the goal of making something increasingly more rare in movies these days: a genuinely guffaw-inducing comedy.

The Frank Drebin Naked Gun franchise was rebooted successfully in theaters this summer, so maybe this is a trend. But movie comedy more or less has become an endangered species, so even on its own modest terms, a film like Fackham Hall is more than welcome. The fact that it is only in theaters is another boost because if ever there was a genre that cries out to be seen communally, it is comedy.

This film has been ideally cast, beginning with Radcliffe, who has a genial appeal that makes you root for him; the same goes for McKenzie, who exhibits some nice chemistry with him. A real hoot is Damian Lewis living it up as the rather befuddled Lord Davenport, father of Rose and head of the manor, along with his wife, Lady Davenport, played nicely by Katherine Waterston. Tom Felton as Archibald makes for a perfect villain in the piece, and Tim McMullen as the by-the-numbers butler Cyril takes his cues from any number of actors who have played this kind of role quite straight over the years. Shout-out as well to veteran Sue Johnston, who plays Great Aunt Bonaparte, the matriarch of all who I am sure would win approval from the late, great Maggie Smith. A great touch is having the whole thing narrated by the older Rose Davenport with the credits for the role listed as “Introducing Hayley Mills.”

All the production aspects are top-notch and lush, making this look every bit like the real deal it is spoofing, even if this independent film is working with a much lower budget. Producers are Danny Perkins, Kris Thykier and Mila Cottray.

Title: Fackham Hall
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Release date: December 5, 2025
Director: Jim O’Hanlon
Screenwriters: Steve Dawson, Andrew Dawson, Tim Inman, Jimmy Carr, Patrick Carr
Cast: Thomasin McKenzie, Ben Radcliffe, Damian Lewis, Katherine Waterston, Tom Felton, Emma Laird, Jason Done, Tim McMullan, Sue Johnston, Tim Goodman-Hill
Rating: R
Running time: 1 hr 37 mins