Critics’ Verdict: Irrfan Steals the Show In A Dull ‘Inferno’

Irrfan Khan is a delight to watch, say the critics.

Tom Hanks and Felicity Jones in a still from Inferno.

Film: Inferno

Director: Ron Howard

Cast: Tom Hanks, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Ben Foster, Irrfan Khan, Omar Sy

Excerpts from reviews of the film Inferno:

Although some of the film’s many twists are not that surprising, they’re satisfyingly delivered, and with a strong supporting cast that also includes Sidse Babett Knudsen (HBO’s <em>Westworld</em>), Ben Foster (<em>Hell or High Water</em>), Irrfan Khan (<em>Jurassic World</em>) and Omar Sy (<em>The Intouchables</em>), plus striking dream imagery, this adds up to arguably the best in the franchise so far. Admittedly, that’s not a high bar to jump, but <em>Inferno</em> should reserve a place in the paradise of year-end high earners. &nbsp;

<i>The Hollywood Reporter</i>

It’s left to a refreshingly diverse international cast of consummate professionals — led, once more, by an increasingly disconsolate-looking Tom Hanks — to breathe what conviction they can into this hoary material.... As this apocalyptic treasure hunt leads them from Italy to Switzerland to Turkey, assorted parties of ambiguous allegiance join the race: World Health Organization director Elizabeth Sinskey (Sidse Babett Knudsen), who has some manner of history with Langdon, her French consort Christoph (Omar Sy) and the enigmatic Provost (a ripe Irrfan Khan, having the most fun of anyone here), head of a shady consulting group on no one’s exact side.

<i>Variety</i>

Aside from stray traces of Hanks charm sneaking through Langdon’s dourness, it all threatens to become stiflingly dull. But just as you start to suffer museum fatigue, Irrfan Khan shows up to goose things a little. He’s Harry ‘The Provost’ Sims, the head of a laughably shady organisation known as The Consortium, and he merrily throws spanners in everyone’s plans and looks good doing it. Frankly he’s the best reason to watch the film’s second half.

<i>Empire</i>

Tom Hanks with Irrfan Khan in Inferno.

Langdon himself emerges an increasingly stiff protagonist, although Hanks’ everyman charm rescues the character from sinking into an abyss of complete dullness, particularly in a scenario where he doesn’t have access to his most valuable weapon: his fast-thinking brain, which is compromised from the amnesia and the disturbing visions he’s consumed by. Thank god for Irrfan Khan though. The <em>Lunchbox</em> star, cast as the head of a shady consulting group, is the only one here who appears to be having any fun at all, delivering cheeky lines with a straight face and generally disrupting everyone’s best-laid plans. Irrfan stands out from among a sizable ensemble cast and is one of the best things in this average film. &nbsp;

Rajeev Masand, <i>News18.com</i>

There is hardly any razzle-dazzle riddle solving, and the clues within Botticelli’s art works are underwhelming, as is this thriller. In fact, barring an intriguing opening and a few nicely executed scenes in Italy, Inferno is a strained attempt to capitalise on Robert Langdon’s popularity and a far cry from the fast-paced and edge-of-the-seat stuff we have come to expect from the Brown-Howard-Hanks combine.

Udita Jhunjhunwala, <i>Scroll</i>