It is good to have the Christmas ghost stories back, but sadly, Mark Gatiss' efforts fall well short of the 1970s classics, and The Dead Room is no exception. A big issue is that there is no real story and so the tale just does not really go anywhere. Furthermore, the gradual ghostly build-up (actually stressed as an essential aspect of a successful ghost story in the script) does not really progress in a spooky enough manner. As such, the supernatural pay off is rather predictable and limited in impact. In terms of performances, Simon Callow is as dependable as ever, but his talents needed a stronger and more atmospheric setting and story, and it seems odd to feature an actress of Susan Penhaligon's calibre in a role that could have been just as effectively portrayed by an extra. Ultimately, Mark Gatiss is no M.R. James, and it is a James tale that we need for Christmas 2019.
Review of The Dead Room
