ComScore

This New Netflix Movie Is About to Become Every Classic Film Fanatic's Obsession

Looking for a new historical film to add to your Netflix queue? Meet the movie that's bound to become your newest obsession: Mank.

After its limited theatrical release on Nov. 13, the biographical film hit Netflix on Dec. 4, and critics are already raving about it. Peter Travers from ABC News described it as "the most gorgeous piece of cinema you'll see anywhere," and Los Angeles Times critic Justin Chang revealed that the Mank not only "demands your surrender, but also your heightened attention."

The new film, which currently boasts an 88 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, has actually been more than two decades in the making, since it was meant to be an immediate follow-up to Jack Fincher's 1997 movie, The Game. But now, the film is finally here (and living up to everyone's expectations). See everything we know about the Netflix movie below.

netflix mank
Netflix

1. What Is Netflix’s ‘mank’ About?

Set in the 1930s, the film details the story behind the making of Citizen Kane, an iconic Orson Welles film that many critics consider to be the greatest film of all time. The Netflix movie centers on screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz (AKA Mank), who works diligently to complete his script for Citizen Kane after being given a 90-day deadline by Welles. It also chronicles how certain people and events became the inspiration for much of his script.

2. Is There A Trailer?

There certainly is, and the dreamy, black-and-white clip will make you feel like you've time-traveled to a different decade. In the clip, we see the brilliant writer, Herman J. Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman), who tries to finish his masterpiece in time for Welles, although it proves to be quite the challenge. Also, the trailer touches on his affairs and his struggles with alcoholism. Herman's wife says, "I've put up with your suicidal drinking, your compulsive gambling, your silly, platonic affairs. You owe me, Herman."

3. Who’s In It?

In addition to Gary Oldman, the film stars Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies and Lily Collins as Rita Alexander. Other cast members include Bill Nye (Upton Sinclair), Arliss Howard (Louis B. Mayer), Tom Pelphrey (Joseph L. Mankiewicz), Sam Troughton (John Houseman), Ferdinand Kingsley (Irving Thalberg), Tuppence Middleton (Sara Mankiewicz) and Tom Burke (Orson Welles).

4. Who Directed ‘mank’?

The film was directed by David Fincher and based on a screenplay that was written by his late father, Jack Fincher. The Oscar-nominated director is best known for his thriller films, including Gone Girl and Panic Room.

5. Why Is It Worth The Watch?

Not only did the film debut on Netflix's top 10 list of most-watched films, but also, fans have been singing the movie's praises on social media. One person tweeted, "I highly recommend watching. I’m a classic film fanatic & found Mank to be mesmerizing, intriguing, & an interesting balance of character study & his time writing Citizen Kane. It’s so rich in detail (like all Fincher films), I could watch it over & over! Watch #Mank on #Netflix." Another fan said, "I'm a sucker for movies with great dialogue. And ManK's definitely got it. I love this movie."

Get the latest news on Netflix shows by subscribing here.


nakeisha campbell bio

Associate Editor, News and Entertainment

Nakeisha has been interviewing celebrities and covering all things entertainment for over 8 years, but she has also written on a wide range of topics, like career...